Not to disparage your service, but I'm pretty sure there was a lot that went on that you didn't know about...unless you're the former director of one of the alphabet soup organizations, that is.
Jefferson warned us to jealously guard our freedom (including the 4th Amendment), which is why it is wise for all Americans to assume if the government can do something to spy on us, they are doing it.
Gov. Butch Otter of Idaho, back in 2001 when he was a US Representative, was one of only three Republicans who voted against the so-called "Patriot Act". I'll never forget his words when asked why; he said it was too much power for the government to have. Right on, Butch.
So while I thank you for your service, your assurances that you never saw any wrongdoing going on, well, they're not reassuring. At best, it's naive, and at worst, it's pi**ing on my leg and telling me it's raining.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
I never claimed that I knew everything that is going on at the Agency. I stand by my statement that that never went on to my knowledge. For all my 33 years I was involved in organizations that were tasked with “collection.” It would’ve been very difficult for operations directed against US persons to stay hidden from us for very long. I’m not saying it didn’t happen; I’m only saying that operators who would be involved in that wouldn’t be known to the professional cadre.