As for government-run spy networks, we don't know what their full capabilities are. But there are plenty of benefits to rolling out SSL regardless, even just for privacy from the person at the other end of the coffee shop. Firesheep, anyone?
Matt Flaschen
I agree that there's lots of benefits to ssl, and its something that we really should do. I just think we should be clear on our threat model, and not mislead people into thinking it will protect them from an entity with the resources of a state. SSL is too often banded about as being something which will totally prevent government type spying.
--bawolff