Public_Domain Public_Domain:
shockedcanadian, DrCaleb wasn't attacking you.
I wouldn't take it as an attack, though I did misconstrue his opinion. I find Caleb more thoughtful and objective than most on this site, so I wouldn't take offense to such a comment from him regardless.
Here is the fact, CSE (now CSES) has the capabilities to get information on Canadians already, it is well known that these agencies simply ask Americans or British to utilize their tactics on Canadians and share that information with them. It is the same outcome but it is a "roundabout" method so they are technically not spying on Canadians. I do know this, I am GLAD that Canada has this capability, the dangerous part only occurs when one considers who is using it; that to me is where the real trust begins. Benign interception of others discussions have never concerned me personally, interference in one's life and career is an entirely different story altogether; especially when that person does not represent a threat or has been loyal to his country of birth.
As for Snowden, I was cautious from day 1 about him, it was particularly unsettling when he wanted to go to China as he said they had the "same philosophy" on free speech as he had. My early estimation was that he was a spy and it was a deception that drove him to "safety". A well operated ruse that worked, though he has denied any involvement in spying to this day (not a surprise obviously.