Echelon listens to all phone calls and alerts to key words. One cannot have an automated system that descriminates easily between domestic and international calls. No one in congress, let alone the general public should be suprised about the capabilities. They have been much discussed.
The question is what is done with the information collected, and what oversight is in place to prevent misuse. Remember, we had a "wall" which probably prevented us from foiling 911.
Olur decision should be based on how we manage the wall. Should drugs, porn, industrial espionage, etc. be blocked from law enforcement? How is the oversight, if any handled.
Ed

Like a judge said after 9/11, the constitution is not a suicide pact.

Jane, the suicide pact quote predates 9/11 by decades. Apparently it was first used in 1949.

From what I understand of the NSA taps, Greyhawk is in error in implying that the taps target US citizens (I know, his wording is not explicit and that may not be what he meant). "US persons" includes citizens, and also legal permanent residents. Further the taps, again from what little I know of them, appear to comply with laws predating 9/11. But what matters legality, so long as Dubya is worse than Hitler and the Republicans worse than the Taliban, right? Bush simultaneously failed grievously in not having prevented 9/11, and is oppressing us all in his illegal and immoral fight against the manufactured terrorist threat.

But what the heck, the NYT is also promoting a forthcoming book on this same issue, which is no reason to indulge in cynicism. At least not towards "the paper of record."

Oops, did some more reading and it appears some US citizens were tapped.