Can’t the same argument be used for joining the armed services, or for doing DoD-funded research? I think it is wrong in both cases. Everyone I know who has worked for the NSA (this almost included me) was someone of good character who was proud of being able to do service for the country, even if they did not agree with all its decisions at any given time.
As for
the illegal mission creep to domestic surveillance
the NSA is a technical organization that generally does the bidding of the powers that direct it. While we know that in recent years it has occasionally expanded its already-broad security brief beyond its original scope, that has apparently been with the full blessing of Congress and the general population, all of whom seem quite happy with such activity. I find this blessing puzzling and deplorable, but I respect the fact that in a democracy (or whatever the USA is) the majority might disagree with my personal beliefs.
I would be more critical of the NSA if they emulated the CIA habit of evasively trying to ignore or bypass attempts at regulation.
