These are strong, contentious claims. What evidence do you to support them? Polls? Studies? And while comparisons with other governments or groups can be proble

These are strong, contentious claims. What evidence do you to support them? Polls? Studies? And while comparisons with other governments or groups can be problematic, as the bad actions of one group don't justify the bad actions of another, there is a well-known bias against out-groups of any type, which is part of human nature. It's admirable to keep this in mind and work against this bias, though to make the claims you are, I think it's fair to ask whether this behavior is significantly different from comparable nations, and whether you're holding the USA to a different standard. A different standard is fine, as long as it's explicit. Your points about whether actions are moral or smart is well-taken. Similar arguments about claims regarding the purpose of the NSA are needed as well, however. Intelligence gathering predates the NSA, or the USA for that matter. It goes back thousands of years. The NSA is not exclusive in the world for doing this type of work. Whether or not a nation engages in intelligence gathering and to what extent is likely more an issue of resources rather than ideology. What is done with that intelligence matters as well. I'm not arguing for or against the NSA or the work it's doing. I do think a more in-depth and supported criticism is required to be truly substantive.