How to protect America?

I am mystified that both citizens and politicians seem to enjoy reacting with self-righteous drama over headlines about government surveillance. Folks appear to be more incensed about metadata collection than the relentless and increasing severity of foreign cyberattacks.

Does anyone seriously believe that we can simply go back to the good old days of privacy?

Exactly how do you protect the most powerful nation on Earth from the world’s brilliant (foreign-government-sponsored-with-unlimited-resources) cyberwarriors? Without covert operations? When mainstream media wants to interview every star about their new (top-secret) discovery and how it works? When reporters are all trying to outdo their jealous siblings with the next sensational Watergate-style scoop? When international media outlets are competing to break the story?

Perhaps all this emotional ranting should be channeled into making constructive suggestions for protecting our country. They might even find that the methods in place have been working.

One innocent complaint of cyberbullying eventually led to – not only the culprit being identified – but the head of our own CIA being exposed for adultery. If it had been a serious foreign threat – I want our system to work that well.

Lucy Jeanne

Deer Park