[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.

[spintreebob]

other courts not-withstanding the Supremes have consistently ruled that nobody using radio transmissions (cellphone, microwave, satelite) has a right to privacy or is protected by the 4th.

Radio waves are "in plain sight" in the same way that a stolen car in a driveway is in "plain sight".

That is why there is encryption and "code words".

[been_lurking]

the word 'wiretap' was generic and, admittedly, loose.

The word "wiretap" was yours, not mine.

I understand the meaning of the word. That's why I called you on your gross misinterpretation of the case.