And its a critical tool in analyzing the communications of a potential enemy.

What I'm talking about is the new furor over the National Security Agency's database of phone calls, no content, just who called who.

If you work those communications properly, you can generate patterns of calling by those who might do you harm, and try to predict what they're up to and who is involved.

Back in 1941, the Japanese foiled the traffic analysts by changing call signs 3 times in the months leading up to the raid on Pearl Harbor. Prior to that, the Traffic Analysis crowd had a pretty good handle on what that particular Axis power was doing, even without reading their codes. I seems to me that is what NSA is trying to do with their database.

Anyway, all this fuss points up the lack of military experience in our government. Folks who have played in the intel arena know all about this stuff, and now sit on the sidelines saying, "Go NSA Go."  The guys whining about this supposed invasion of privacy will also be the first ones calling for heads to roll if we're attacked again.

Oh yes, and we'll be attacked again, unless we continue to keep an eye on the bad guys, whoever, and wherever they are.