My optimism for real, important change is still small, but it's certainly increasing. While those in control haven't changed their position, the fact that this

My optimism for real, important change is still small, but it's certainly increasing. While those in control haven't changed their position, the fact that this government malfeasance has been grabbing headlines for a few months has a huge effect. The administration's been caught inaccurately describing the surveillance regime and in some cases outright lying. Governments have already been forced to reveal far more than they wished to. Most people who are barely paying attention are convinced that the NSA is recording almost everything (and while many still blissfully believe they have "nothing to hide", the fact surveillance is now a fact rather than "conspiracy theory" should chip away at that more quickly). Outrage is especially large for those in the technical community. Even governments' thuggish tactics, like the grounding of Evo Morales's plane and the nine-hour "terror" questioning of David Miranda, are generating headlines and outrage. It's certainly going to be a slow process, but this has already built enough momentum that something is going to have to change. Whether that change is purely symbolic or real and effectual has yet to be seen, but we're off to a better start than I ever could have imagined last winter.