[A.J.Armitage]

Don't be silly. Carnivore was in use for YEARS before the Patriot Act was even put on paper. President Bush and Congress only want the court order because they want to set good precedents for future government behavior.

Or he simply has somewhat more repect for the Constitution than whoever set up Carnivore.

[Southack]

"Or he simply has somewhat more repect for the Constitution than whoever set up Carnivore."

That's very true (and almost goes without saying). Hopefully I've been able to show you that even Carnivore is legal, however, due to the very nature of the internet (i.e., public funds to found it, public data to manage routing, et al).