I'll reply since you've specifically referenced me. I don't think people are distinguishing between 'domestic' or 'foreign' spying. For most people, it's way

I'll reply since you've specifically referenced me. I don't think people are distinguishing between 'domestic' or 'foreign' spying. For most people, it's way too complex to have an understanding of domestic US laws on agencies spying powers. Also remember, it's not just the US either. Remember the UK is probably the most prolific gatherer (they have a much more strategic point on internet routing than the US does). People reduce a complex and difficult to understand story into something they think they understand. In this case, Snowden is 'about spies' and 'spies track[/kill] terrorists' combined with 'I'm not a terrorist, so they won't be interested in tracking me' hence the whole story is irrelevant and only conspiracy nuts think the Government spies on them. Any attempt to counter this and say, actually it is important because in 5, 10, 20 or more years, an agency can take a dislike to you (or some relative/connection) and then start to revisit things you have long since forgotten, and target you for some throw away comment, just sounds so far fetched as to be lunacy. But, as the submitted article shows, it's exactly what is happening in other countries and there is no reason why 'our country' [insert name of wherever you live - not just the US] won't do the same. For domestic US readers, imagine a future President Trump issuing an executive order to track down those who insulted him, even in private personal e-mail conversations - it may be a crazy scenario, but the NSA database allows such a thing to happen. The mass collection and storage of data is a real risk to any democratic society, because of the threat of misuse. Don't fool yourself that some official will say no when asked to carry out some heinous act made possible by access to the stored communications. Getting tied up in whether Snowden is a traitor or a hero is missing the point. It's also where the NSA has focused on steering the conversation at every opportunity.