Exactly when did this whole Prism thing go into effect?
Was it under Bush?

Maybe this will help: http://bit.ly/12GFwRJ

about some perv recording me on their smartphone while I use a public restroom and uploading it on YouTube than I do the government tracking communication (not listening in to every single call.) If you're on the grid in any fashion -- using your debt card, searching Amazon for a garlic presser, and yes, using your phone -- you've been tracked for decades.

I'm still perplexed by the hysteria. We always read of some plot being "thwarted" or "intercepted." How do we think that happens if not for surveillance? If we want to debate the role of surveillance vis-à-vis the Patriot Act, then that's all good. But let's not pretend that this is something new, or that it doesn't serve a purpose.

deciding it can record phone and internet usage by its citizens any time it would like for any reason it would like.

My family and I maintained contact with relatives in both Iraq (during war times), and currently Syria. In the Iraq case, we spoke vocally about our opposition to the war, and in the Syria case we sympathize with our family's loyalty to the Assad regime. To date, no black helicopters have appeared over my house, and no suit has attempted to throw me in a FEMA re-education camp. If my government is recording me, I'm not too worried.

Is it not correct that should one choose to male a picture of one's food publicly available, then the public has permission to access it?

Point is, just using the internet in a trivial way (or a serious way, or ANY way) doesn't give the Government permission to track usage.

We love our shiny toys, and we PAY the corporations for the privilege of them gathering data on our every movement, thought, and purchase so they can sell us more shiny toys.

Corporations sell our personal data to each other, and they will give it away to the government/police/FBI for very little inducement.

Why does that not seem to disturb more people?

It still isn't right, but I thought it was data like number called, time on call, not wiretapping which is a different thing.