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The Process Paper: A Study of a Study of the Study

Since sixth grade, I have had a heavy interest in online data management

technology. In high school, I expanded on this interest to develop programs to

manage data for commercial and student user bases. However, these projects often

faced the legal roadblock of a users right to privacy. I had the responsibility to

provide the user with better features, but that meant I might have to infringe on the

users rights.

I, also, participate in Extemporaneous speaking, a speech and debate event

designed to teach students to research current events, international law, and

domestic policy. In June of 2013, Edward Snowdens National Security Agency leaks

took the spotlight of discussions about current events, international law, and

domestic policy. Therefore, it also took the spotlight in Extemporaneous speaking.

As I started to research Snowdens leaks over that summer, I saw a bigger

picture connection to my programming efforts. There existed a legal battle over the

rights of the people to their privacy and the governments job to provide for the

common defense similar to the legal controversy I faced with data management

technology. I, therefore, found an interest in finding a way to develop a legal system

to carry out a governments responsibility of national security without infringing on

the citizens rights.

I started research on this project by studying articles about the National

Security Agency leaks from Extemporaneous. My studies led me to look into

previous cases of such controversy. My research of historical incidents similar to

Snowdens led me to study the Pentagon Papers. When I started studying the

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