Given the credible estimate that we've spent $1 trillion on anti-terrorism security

Surveillance of power is one of the most important ways to ensure that power does not abuse its status. But, of course, power does not like to be watched.

History has taught us: never underestimate the amount of money, time, and effort someone will expend to thwart a security system. It's always better to assume the worst. Assume your adversaries are better than they are. Assume science and technology will soon be able to do things they cannot yet. Give yourself a margin for error. Give yourself more security than you need today. When the unexpected happens, you'll be glad you did.

It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.

Technical problems can be remediated. A dishonest corporate culture is much harder to fix.

Security is a process, not a product.

We no longer know whom to trust. This is the greatest damage the NSA has done to the Internet, and will be the hardest to fix.