Gen Hayden called FISA a 'tool' . . .

[bigtree]

. . . in January: (http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/24/1516258)

REPORTER: Quick follow-up. Are you saying the sheer volume of warrant-less eavesdropping has made FISA inoperative?

GEN. MICHAEL HAYDEN: No. I'm saying that the characteristics we need to do what this program is designed to do, to detect and prevent, okay, make FISA a less useful tool. It’s a wonderful tool, it's a wonderful thing for the nation, in terms of fighting the war on terror, but in this particular challenge, this particular aspect, detect and prevent attacks, what we're doing now is operationally more relevant, operationally more effective.

FISA isn't an administration or military tool.

FISA's a check on their authority. It's a regulation. It's the law.

It's not a 'tool' that they can choose to use at their discretion. It is a check on their imperious authority. There is no way for the administration to credibly determine whether there is the degree of probable cause necessary to legally trigger the type of surveillance of Americans they are practicing.

[valerief]

1. Sounds like Hayden's the tool. n/t

[bigtree]

3. he shouldn't get away with playing the dupe.

he's actively defended the warrantless wiretapping program he set up.

now he wants to be CIA chief, head of the largest spy agency in America.

We may not be able to impeach Bush yet, but we should at least catch all of the other rats.

I love the smell of perjury in the morning

[AndyTiedye]

2. The Rubicon Was Crossed Some Time Ago

in the dead of night, while they were giving us all nightmares about terra.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

4. Traffic laws are just a useful 'tool' as well, I guess

But speeding and running red lights are more "operationally relevant" to me when I'm going to be late for work. What a knob. :eyes: