[been_lurking]

Wiretaps were.

Your words above. Please note, the NSA issue does not involve a wiretap. You need to brush-up on the technology. FISA needs to brush-up on the technology. Congress needs to brush-up on the technology.

Current NSA "monitoring" techniques do not require the use of a wiretap. In a technological sense, the NSA is eavesdropping on selective telecommunications.

Now, review the laws and show me even one that has determined the Federal Government requires a warrant to "eavesdrop".

[Cboldt]

Now, review the laws and show me even one that has determined the Federal Government requires a warrant to "eavesdrop".

Now there's a GREAT argument for making the NSA/FISA brou-ha-ha disappear.

/ rolls eyes /

[lugsoul]

Perhaps you should review the laws. The use of the word 'wiretap' was generic and, admittedly, loose. What is governed by FISA is 'electronic surveillance.' Go take a look at FISA and see if you think you can carve data mining or Echelon or whatever out from the scope of the definition of 'electronic surveillance.'

I hope you didn't take a look at the law before you urged me to go read it. If you did, that'd be pretty sad.