Judge makes right call on surveillance

The National Security Agency has made the case in court that bulk collection of telephone records is critical in the fight against terrorism. A federal judge agrees.

While the courts are not done with this, U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley's findings make sense.

Judge Pauley tells us the program “represents the government's counterpunch” to the al-Qaida terror network's use of technology to operate decentralized and plot international terrorist attacks remotely. (“Federal judge rules NSA phone surveillance legal,” Associated Press, Dec. 27). Thank you, Judge Pauley.

As time passes, it seems some have tempered the pain and horror of Sept. 11, 2001. Keeping pace with terrorist subversion of technology is vital to our safety. This is a small price to pay to prevent another 9/11. Unless one is having phone sex with a terrorist, there is little to worry about. Let the NSA do its job.

For those who want to stew about what “big brother” knows about us - try mega banks and corporate marketers. Based on the focus of the phone solicitations and junk mail I receive, it's clear they know much more about me than I ever let on. When they say, “What's in your wallet?” - it's because they want in it.

Judge Pauley and our courts are keeping track of the NSA. Who's keeping track of your wallet?

Dave Helman

Salem