Hyperventilation over Phone Databases?

The Hardball Report had a level-headed interview with a young ex-NSC staffer under both Bush and Clinton who warned about "hyperventilating" about the phonecall database, as there were no listening devices or other infringements on privacy other than patterns of calls.

Prevention of another terrorist attack on US soil does require some careful examination of communications across the board. Although Able Danger had the name of Mohammed Atta, the program was shut down because of jitters about the 4th Amendment.

A nation ruled by lawyers is operating at a handicap when national security comes under nit-picking by attorneys with an agenda.