Whenever one of the Pope family’s philanthropic organizations donate to N.C. State, make recommendations, or otherwise participate in our academic community, the editorial staff is quick to protest. May I ask the esteemed editorial staff why they have been so far silent about our partnership with the lawless National Security Agency?

In August, N.C. State received the largest grant in its history (more than $60 million) to build a huge data center to conduct research aiding the NSA in trampling constitutional rights. The Technician cheered. Note that this occurred after The Guardian published documents the NSA admitted were genuine that proved widespread, ongoing criminal activity at the NSA. How do we justify this to our fellow citizens while we are aiding and abetting crimes against them? There is no justification. Our association with the NSA is unconscionable and should cease immediately. To those involved in this project, shame on you. Your canned response that you are doing nothing wrong merely indicates that you have coupled sociopathy with your contempt for the Constitution.

The NSA claims (without, mind you, ever producing any actual evidence) to protect us from terrorists. In fact, it is a criminal organization that we need protection from. I ask my fellow students to join me in standing up for ourselves and for our reputation as an educational institution. We can accomplish our goals without associating ourselves with criminals.