The recent news in the media about foreign nations being outraged by the revelation of the National Security Agency (NSA) spying on them is either a publicity charade or the leaders of the countries involved are naïve. NSA's action is not much different to what other nations are doing, NSA is however more capable. Mr. Snowden’s revelation should not have been a surprise to anyone but only serve to awake the general public as to the amount of power they have vested in their governments post 911.

Anyone who is well versed in the capabilities of current technology must be aware that governments with “limitless” funds are able to intrude into the “private space” of others and many others only wish that they possess the capability and are doing their very best to get there.

What is troubling is that as we the USA flexes our proficiency muscle in data gathering we are setting the precedence for some new norms that is and will be used by other nations leaving little or no recourse. We are also stymied by our resource draining political squabble between the Democrats and the Republicans that is weakening our global economic standing and further reducing resources to allocate to the effort in order for us to remain ahead of potential enemies.

The public must be aware that “data gathering is not like in the old days. Current technology exist that enabled governments to “drill holes” through your “firewall” and use your device or system as part of the data pool for system queries. Large telecommunication corporations provide governments special access to the data that is stored on their network thereby freeing up government resources for them to focus on queries rather than data collection.

What we as citizens must be worried about is that with the march of technology and what is evident is that small groups within the political structure are able to wield so much power as to shut down the government of these great United States. This uncontained power under the guise of democracy at work, coupled with intrusive technology, leaves us all vulnerable to rogue elements who could commander our country in a path of self-destruction. In the future the example of the recent forceful shutdown might not be commandeered from the right or left but small groups not necessary with allegiance to any entity but itself, for local domination or some other ulterior motive.

Some us gather blindly behind political parties/personalities and their “spin” rather than dissect their message and the backgrounds of the messengers to determine if they are of what they speak. We overlook certain issues and seek to revise others to allow our ideological champion to get their way.

Beware my friends, egotistical megalomaniacs were not sent by a higher power to only third world and foreign nations, they exist right within our midst, we just need to turn on the TV and there a several examples.

Privacy has been lost, just like when a baby is born, there is no returning to the womb. How we nurture it will determine if it becomes an asset to society or a liability.