>It is laws, and not technical means, that prevent rampant, systemic oppression.<p>Which is exactly why it's so dangerous to have a secret court, with secret rulings, NSLs, and to make everything a secret in the name of national security.<p>>What we have learned, essentially, is that the NSA — a spy agency whose attention is focused internationally—does exactly what it is supposed to do.<p>It's interesting that Americans are only getting uncomfortable with mass surveillance now that they know there is a possibility it's being done to them. It's as if all foreigners should be presumed guilty and have no right to privacy or basic respect.