The German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that Al Jazeera published an NSA document with talking points for journalists.
A selection of these talking points: “We could not do this without industry support.” Probably true.
“Every time there are disclosures it makes our job harder.” Probably true as well, but then you could also argue that freedom of press is just an extension of terrorism.
“Let me start by saying that I much prefer to be here today explaining these programs, than explaining another 9/11 event that we were not able to prevent.” Yes of course. But take a look at this sentence: “Let me start by saying that I much prefer to be here today explaining why innocent citizens were killed in Pakistan, than explaining another 9/11 event that we were not able to prevent.”

You could even defend dropping an atomic bomb by saying that it was necessary to prevent another 9/11.

(Read the article here - article in German, talking points in English.)

So what do we not want to do in order to prevent another 9/11?