We're living in a PowerPoint world. We've become a bullet-point-dependent society. If it can't be summed up succinctly in a handful of slides, then it must not be worth saying. If you're a Member of Congress with a dozen issue briefings to get through every day, then you're more reliant upon the bullet point than anyone.
In that light, let's try a new approach in information presentation to our representatives.
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Passed in 1978, provides the executive branch with clear authority to wiretap suspected terrorists inside the United States
Amended since 1978 to expand surveillance authority of the executive branch and address new technological developments
It and the criminal wiretap law are the "exclusive means by which electronic surveillance" may be conducted by the United States Government
Makes it a crime to wiretap individuals without complying with its provisions
Permits the Government to initiate wiretapping immediately in emergencies as long as it obtains approval from the FISA court within 72 hours of initiating the wiretap
Authorizes wiretaps without the court orders for the first 15 days following a declaration of war by Congress
The Congress
Exists, in part, for the purpose of providing a check and a balance to the executive power
Passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force that became law on September 18, 2001
Was requested to, but did not grant the President the power to authorize wiretaps of Americans within the United States without obtaining the court orders required FISA in the AUMF
The President
Has a 34% approval rating
Authorized and continues to authorize wiretaps by NSA of Americans in the United States without obtaining the court orders required by FISA
Has a 34% approval rating
Failed to inform the full congressional intelligence committees about this program, as required by the National Security Act of 1947
Has a 34% approval rating
Lied to Americans prior to the public disclosure of the NSA surveillance program by saying his Administration was relying on court orders to wiretap suspected terrorists inside the US
- April 20, 2004: "When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so."
- July 14, 2004: "the government can't move on wiretaps or roving wiretaps without getting a court order"
- June 9, 2005: "Law enforcement officers need a federal judge's permission to wiretap a foreign terrorist's phone, a federal judge's permission to track his calls, or a federal judge's permission to search his property. Officers must meet strict standards to use any of these tools."
Has a 34% approval rating
Lied in saying that the program was necessary because the executive branch did not have authority to wiretap suspected terrorists inside the United States
- January 25, 2006: "When terrorist operatives are here in America communicating with someone overseas, we must understand what's going on if we're going to do our job to protect the people. The safety and security of the American people depend on our ability to find out who the terrorists are talking to, and what they're planning. In the weeks following September the 11th, I authorized a terrorist surveillance program to detect and intercept al Qaeda communications involving someone here in the United States."
- January 31, 2006: "The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again."
Has a 34% approval rating
Clear enough?
Update [2006-3-14 23:7:44 by mcjoan]: Thanks KagroX and Sandia Blanca for key additions.