First, my post gives no judgement on Prism or other program positive or negative.
Yes, it does. You said, "...the surveillance programs are not evil either." Also, you said "...the primary goal of these programs is to save lives." - which does indicate a judgement since "saving lives" is empirically a good thing...even though you really don't know the true purpose, only what you've been told.
Second, I point out the "primary" goal is to save lives, but I make no mention of additional goals or side effects
You don't know that. You have been told that, but you don't know it.
...what is "often so conveniently implied" since I never implied any such thing.
Yes, you did. You said (apparently speaking to the entire forum) that, "Regardless of the cynicism you bring to the topic, the primary goal of these programs is to save lives." - as if that nugget of "knowledge" about the alleged purpose of those programs should override any cynicism...implying that the general cynicism here is not already grounded in knowledge.
Actions speak louder than words. That's why nobody believes these pigs. It's not like they all woke up one day and said, "I should be cynical about this government thing."
Yes, it does. You said, "...the surveillance programs are not evil either." Also, you said "...the primary goal of these programs is to save lives." - which does indicate a judgement since "saving lives" is empirically a good thing...even though you really don't know the true purpose, only what you've been told.
Second, I point out the "primary" goal is to save lives, but I make no mention of additional goals or side effects
You don't know that. You have been told that, but you don't know it.
...what is "often so conveniently implied" since I never implied any such thing.
Yes, you did. You said (apparently speaking to the entire forum) that, "Regardless of the cynicism you bring to the topic, the primary goal of these programs is to save lives." - as if that nugget of "knowledge" about the alleged purpose of those programs should override any cynicism...implying that the general cynicism here is not already grounded in knowledge.
Actions speak louder than words. That's why nobody believes these pigs. It's not like they all woke up one day and said, "I should be cynical about this government thing."