thumbs-up for the NSA

Even as a U.S. advisory panel suggests that the intrusiveness of the National Security Agency should be reined in -- a suggestion that is likely to find little implementation -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says NSA's activities are needed in order to fight "terrorism."

Was there ever a word more beloved by centralized governments than the ill-defined-but-lovingly-nourished notion of "terrorism?" How better to control the unwashed masses than to posit an unknowable future that is dangerous ... and we need to protect you?

Well, if NSA has Vladimir Putin for a cheerleader, they must be doing something right ... right?