Why would they think that? They grew up in an era when the FBI was keeping close tabs on guys like MLK. They entered politics at a time when there was zero oversight of the NSA (not even by the "rubber stamp" FISA court), and at a time when the CIA was actively engaged in political assassinations abroad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_11905).
And yet, things turned out fine. The Soviet Union was defeated, America survived, and our biggest problem today, from their point of view, is not civil liberties but an ailing economy.
I can totally see how someone like Pelosi might think along the following lines:
1) The world is scary and the CIA/NSA serve an important purpose in protecting national security;
2) By and large government officials are trustworthy, and won't abuse their power (remember, she's a Democrat);
3) The NSA has shown colorable attempts to stay within the bounds of the Constitution (only collecting metadata, or only targeting non-US persons).
You may not agree with any of these points, but I think it's ridiculous to say that only bribery could make you agree with these points.
And yet, things turned out fine. The Soviet Union was defeated, America survived, and our biggest problem today, from their point of view, is not civil liberties but an ailing economy.
I can totally see how someone like Pelosi might think along the following lines:
1) The world is scary and the CIA/NSA serve an important purpose in protecting national security;
2) By and large government officials are trustworthy, and won't abuse their power (remember, she's a Democrat);
3) The NSA has shown colorable attempts to stay within the bounds of the Constitution (only collecting metadata, or only targeting non-US persons).
You may not agree with any of these points, but I think it's ridiculous to say that only bribery could make you agree with these points.