It appears you all, you and the American public, are still unconcerned about government/National Security Agency spying on phone calls under the secretive yet failed (non)leadership of one George W. Bush. Or whomever. (God maybe? Isn't he on OUR side?) Bush has given assurances the conversations are not name-identified unless warranted and that the kind of analysis differs from actually listening to individuals conversations, as things are reported. This defense is 100% totally worthless. Why totally worthless? The first point is this is NOT an OK situation "since they're only doing limited analysis" of phone calls. If they HAVE access to phone calls (apparently all domestic phone calls) as they do (without legal authority) the fact is they CAN do ANYTHING they want with them ANYTIME they want. Either one enjoys access to something or one does not. If one enjoys access then one can do anything one wants anytime one wants. The second point is that there is NO WAY anyone can be sure the government -- George W. Bush and company -- is doing with these phone calls merely what they say BECAUSE Bush flaunts open disregard of the oversight mechanism. You know one might accept religion on faith but it's inadvisable to accept Bush or anyone in his administration -- and actually anyone in government and anyone in a position of power --without oversight or merely at their own word. Since when does anyone trust govenment? Since when does anyone trust George W. Bush? Do you really think someone who sends the country to war and several 100K to their deaths based on hot air is going to act prudently or be concerned about scruples or care about the consequences of his actions on others? The third point is when the fox raids the henhouse you don't leave the question of legality up to the fox. The fourth point is when an animal is cornered (failed) the more desperate it becomes. Are you listening? All you government lovers out there? There has to be oversight through legal mechanisms. When those in power don't play by the rules it's time they be dumped and in short order.
