The reaction of the Average Joe to the revelation that the NSA may be amassing a database of phone calling records was mixed.  Many people don't really have anything to hide, and recognize that the more desperate the times, the more desperate are the necessary measures.  But there is also a sense of concern that we may be on the slippery slope here.  For those who are willing to give up some personal privacy in the interests of combating terrorism, but feel a little queasy about the direction things seem to be heading, a brief review of the daily headlines does not provide any solace:  

• AT&T Provided NSA with Power to Review All Internet Traffic .
• Personal data, including Social Security numbers of 26.5 million US veterans, was stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee this month after he took the information home without authorization.
• The WSJ reports that Internet and financial companies are increasingly being targeted by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, forcing them into situations where they must choose between customers' rights to privacy and the desire to help the US government.