Reply #59: Now on CNN.com as well, "Inquiry into leak of NSA spying program..."

[eppur_se_muova]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/30/nsa.leak/index.html

Some good quotes from detractors:

"FISA says it's the exclusive law to authorize wiretaps," Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin told CNN. "This administration is playing fast and loose with the law in national security. The issue here is whether the president of the United States is putting himself above the law, and I believe he has done so."

Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, said the president could have gone back to a FISA court to get approval even after the wiretaps started if he was concerned about speed. "I'm just stunned by the president's rationales with respect to the illegal wiretapping," Reed said. "There are two points that have to be emphasized with respect to the FISA procedure: They're secret and they're retroactive.

"There is no situation where time is of such an essence they can't use the FISA proceedings. And so the president's justification, I think, is without merit."

The defense attorneys for several terror suspects prosecuted by the Justice Department said Wednesday they might file court motions questioning the legality of the NSA surveillance project. (Full Story)http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/12/28/lawyers.spying/index.html


IMHO, this article does a surprisingly good job (for Money$treamMedia) of pointing out the weaknesses of **'s case, and ends by mentioning the complications it may cause in prosecuting suspects already charged. YMMV. CNN often a/emends articles as news develops.