http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/08/23/inv.fisc.explainer/
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is a secret court that oversees spying in the United States. It was set up to oversee implementation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Judges on that court ruled that the Justice Department is misinterpreting its new powers under the U.S.A. Patriot Act that Congress passed last October. The court said the Justice Department's plan to allow prosecutors to become involved in intelligence investigations goes too far.
The court also mandated that whenever an intelligence official wants to talk with a prosecutor, a Justice Department lawyer must participate to ensure nothing improper is said.
The Justice Department has appealed the decision, saying the U.S.A. Patriot Act allows for a freer flow of communication between the intelligence side and the law enforcement/prosecution side.
Notice the FISA made a ruling on how to interprete the Patriot Act.....and also notice they erected the FAMOUS GORELICK WALL in this order.....interesting.
And notice the Appeals Court didn't agree with them.
You beat me to it. We are definitely of like minds! See my post to Howlin in #108.
Sure sounds like they are making New Law ... which is NOT their job to do