You're missing the point of the comment. I know what NSA does and Im fine with collecting foreign intelligence. The point is they asked for broad powers, including over Americans, with secrecy and immunity. The stated reason for these was stopping terrorist threat. Actually, it was originally a USAP that nobody even agreed to that they said was about terrorism after initial leaks. They also said only collecting metadata and that it contained nothing that would worry people.

Such systematic deception of American people, Congress, courts, etc is a problem. That they were targeting Americans themselves while saying they werent is bigger. That two leaders committed perjury but dont get punished makes it worse.

This isnt some authorized action conducting itself ethically, effectively, and accountably. It's been opposite across the board. And the leakers are only reason we knew.