Why did Bush need to sidestep the super secret FISC process?

[ProSense]

A process so secret that no one knew that Rockefeller and others, who were sworn to secrecy for life, had objected to Bush's operation. A process so secret that Rockefeller's objection was handwritten for fear of exposing senstive details. Why did Bush need to circumvent such a super secret organization? What was he looking for?


Posted on Sat, Dec. 24, 2005
WAR ON TERRORISM
U.S. spy agency may not shake sullied image
Officials argued that conducting domestic surveillance without a warrant could undermine the National Security Agency's antiterrorism mission -- and reputation.
By WARREN P. STROBEL AND JONATHAN S. LANDAY
[e-mail]

WASHINGTON - The White House decision to order surveillance of international phone calls by U.S. citizens without a warrant violated long-standing practices and could undermine a key U.S. intelligence agency that is critical in the struggle against terrorists, former senior intelligence officials and other experts said this week.

The super-secret National Security Agency, which eavesdropped on the Soviet Union's leaders and scored other intelligence coups during the Cold War, has spent three decades recovering from domestic spying scandals in the 1970s.

Now, with its electronic ears and vast computer banks turned primarily to intercepting suspecting terrorists, the officials said they fear that the NSA once again will bear the brunt of congressional scrutiny and public outrage, complicating its mission.


Snip...

But the former top officials said the recently revealed program, which sidestepped the FISA court, violated longtime agency practices.


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