Plots, not attacks. There is an important difference.

It does make you wonder if they decided it would be best to kill some Americans in California to make a point that they needed power.[1]

We know they had intent to protect their powers. We know that they are willing to train and create terrorists in order to help make the point that terror is a real threat. We know they lie and can do so with out any punishments by our government.[2]

The real question is would they murder Americans to help keep that power.

I still find it hard to believe that they would be willing to kill Americans in order to keep these powers, but I am finding it harder to keep this belief.

[1] http://bigstory.ap.org/article/3df6d5019719473780ee1a652d1b2... [2] http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/nsa-director-alexan...

Is there? Maintaining the level of fear is important. Stalin was continually uncovering plots, it's a hallmark if totalitarianism.