Outgoing deputy director John C Inglis of the NSA in an interview on NPR (reported on in the Guardian), arguing strongly against curtailing the substance of domestic surveillance activities:

“I’m not going to give that insurance policy up, because it’s a necessary component to cover a seam that I can’t otherwise cover,” Inglis said.

That shows show much of what’s wrong with the NSA. This.is.not.his.call.

Politics decide on the limits, not the director of the NSA. A ‘careful separation of powers and iron-clad rights watched over by a vigilant public’ are what separates us from tyranny.