Of course we are. We should always assume that we are being watched, just as motorcycle riders should assume that they are NOT being watched- it helps to keep you alert. But for God's sake, don't give up your activism just because Uncle Sam is watching you- in fact, it is our duty to be more active than ever, to make sure they are absolutely swamped with useless information on millions of activists. After all, we are NOT breaking any laws, it IS still a free country, and if necessary, I for one will go to jail if defending Mother Nature from greed and arrogance does become a crime. They hope to scare us away from using our voice- let's scream into the wiretap!

a liberal in redsville

I am getting really sick and tired of this domestic spying story. So what?  I have much more important things to do with my time than wring my hands over the fact that government agencies are spying.  I do not have a problem with it.  I am doing nothing wrong. If they want to read my email, I really don't care.  Some people have brought up the Ben Franklin quote about those who would give up liberty for security deserving neither, but good old Ben did not have to deal with bin Laden, Zarquawi and their ilk. So I say, spy on.

PKBW

Unfortunately, the majority view in this country seems to be that of pkbw, as much as it thoroughly disgusts me.

Hey pk, guess what: you wouldn't have to deal with bin Laden et al if your country didn't destroy their societies, and your country wouldn't have done it if the people here didn't insist on consuming so much that the U.S. military is sent to fight for it, starting with oil.

Jeff Hoffman

pkbw, you may feel that it is "no big deal" to have the government reading your e-mail, but consider this: These actions are highly questionable, from a legal viewpoint, and, if we ignore them now, worse abuses could follow.
      This administration has shown itself to be hostile towards environmental activists, (witness the recent government lawsuit against Greenpeace), and tends to regard itself as being above the law.  You feel that, having done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear, but I wouldn't necesarily count on that. What if simply belonging to an environmental organization were to be regarded as supporting terrorism?
          Regarding your comments about Benjamin Franklin, here is something to consider: Methods may have changed, but terrorism and religious fanaticism are nothing new.  I consider Mr. Franklin's sentiments on liberty and security to be as valid now as they ever were