This is an absurdly reductive argument. No one is saying the governments use of Big Data is bad except in the circumstances where our government sees fit to hi

This is an absurdly reductive argument. No one is saying the governments use of Big Data is bad except in the circumstances where our government sees fit to hide its usage or utility even when it directly impacts its citizenry. It is not the use of modern technology or even the goals, which many on HN will admit are admirable. It is about the path used to reach the end just as much as it is about the end. I believe that we have very smart law enforcement officials who don't need to routinely violate the privacy of Americans to do their jobs.