Conflicted response | The Salt Lake Tribune

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It's fascinating to watch the conflicted Republican response to news that American phone records are being analyzed for patterns revealing terrorist activity ("Phone records could end up at NSA's Utah Data Center," Tribune, June 7).

The program began under President George Bush — then, unlike now, without warrant. Where was the sturm und drang when the program first came to light in 2005?

A different matter today! On the one hand, what a perfect opportunity to wave arms, yell and scream about President Barack Obama and violations of personal liberty. Rep. Jason Chaffetz he finds it "unnerving." Sen. Mike Lee is "deeply disturbed" (that offers a splendid opening, but I let it pass unremarked).

On the other hand, there is a certain National Security Agency data center about to open in Bluffdale. When plans for it were announced the very idea made me queasy.

Utah Republicans, however, fell all over themselves in excitement at having such a facility here. Jobs! Keep America safe! Go, team!

This center is dedicated to precisely the kind of secret scrutiny that Chaffetz and Lee are righteously excoriating. What is a poor Repub to do?

Michele Margetts

Salt Lake City