Response to "Trust the NSA"

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57588234-38/obama-defends-secret-nsa-spy-program-trust-us
"The people involved in America's national security they take this work very seriously," he said. "The last thing they'd be doing is taking programs like this to listen to people's phone calls."

Ok, let's take this at face value. We don't know what the NSA does, but we DO know what sort of trouble their friends at the FBI are responsible for. Full report: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2013/images/02/21/office.of.professional.review.-.cnn01302013_0000.pdf

Some of my favorites:
* Misuse of FBI Databases: Employee made unauthorized use of FBI database to search for
information about friends and coworkers.
PENALTY: 5-day Suspension
OFFENSE: Misuse of FBI Database, Offense Code 3.5

* Misdemeanor; Unprofessional Conduct; Lack of Candor Under Oath: Employee hid a
recording device in supervisor's office. In addition, without authorization, Employee made copies of
supervisor's negative comments about Employee that Employee located by conducting an
unauthorized search of the supervisor's office and briefcase. Employee provided the notes to lawyer
in support of lawsuit against supervisor. Finally, Employee lied to investigators during the course of
the administrative inquiry.
PENALTY: Dismissal
OFFENSE: Lack of Candor Under Oath, Offense Code 2.6
Misdemeanor, Offense Code 4.8
Unprofessional Conduct, Offense Code 5.22

* Misuse of Position: Employee misused official position by invoking FBI employment in personal
matter. Employee's friend's father was prosecuted for and found guilty of health care fraud. In a
letter to the sentencing judge seeking leniency, Employee identified himself as an FBI employee. In
mitigation, Employee is an outstanding employee with no previous disciplinary matters and his
conduct had no adverse impact on the case.
PENALTY: Letter of Censure
OFFENSE: Misuse of Position, Offense Code 2.8

* Unauthorized Disclosure: Employee told ex-boyfriend that she saw a file with his sister's name
on it at the FBI. The sister used to work for the FBI and Employee saw her HR file. In mitigation, the
disclosure occurred one time and was limited. In aggravation, just months before the offense,
Employee had been specifically counseled by supervisor that HR files are extremely sensitive and
any breach of confidentiality would be inappropriate.
PENALTY: 1-Day Suspension
OFFENSE: Unauthorized Disclosure, Offense Code 4.10

And yet...
* Theft: Employee shoplifted from a grocery store on several occasions. Employee was caught an
surveillance video.
PENALTY: Summary Dismissal
OFFENSE: Theft, Offense Code 4.5

So "unauthorized use of FBI database to search for information about friends and coworkers" warrants 5-day suspension, but shoplifting from a grocery store is grounds for being fired. Got it.

Why should we trust that the NSA would be any better? What reason have they given us to trust them at all? They are public servants who hide behind secrecy to destroy the privacy of private citizens. And you just want us to have faith in them. Oh sure, they're just doing their job.

Fuck your god complex, Obama.