So.... Congress can 'set the limit' on how much they can Illegally Spy on us...?????
I thought the Constitution says that it requires a warrant...
When Congress passes laws that violate the Constitution and when Citizens cannot sue the government because it is 'states secrets'...well, that is
a government not of the people. And we have seen this before - like the mid 1700s.
.....
N.S.A.’s Intercepts Exceed Limits Set by Congress
By ERIC LICHTBLAU and JAMES RISEN
Published: April 15, 2009
WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency intercepted private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the broad legal limits established by Congress last year, government officials said in recent interviews.
Several intelligence officials, as well as lawyers briefed about the matter, said the N.S.A. had been engaged in “overcollection” of domestic communications of Americans. They described the practice as significant and systemic, although one official said it was believed to have been unintentional.
The legal and operational problems surrounding the N.S.A.’s surveillance activities have come under scrutiny from the Obama administration, Congressional intelligence committees, and a secret national security court, said the intelligence officials, who were speaking only on the condition of anonymity because N.S.A. activities are classified. A series of classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/us/16nsa.html?hp