This is an interesting article, especially in light of the fact that this "court" denied exactly one request during the Clinton administration. Could this be political games being played by the judges?
The judiciary is a weapon that liberals use when they are unable to destroy their country by other means. To hasten the Republic's demise, liberal judges are adept at exercising the powers of all three branches of government when it suits them, and it frequently DOES suit them.
Some liberals on the FISA court apparently believe it is their role to subvert and commandeer the president's war fighting role. Bush ignored them and went around them. That's why at least one liberal judge has resigned. He was angry that Bush succeeded in protecting the country despite FISA.