For those of us who are opposed to warrantless wiretapping, I suggest the thought exercise of what an Archliberal War President might want to do with unfettered data-mining powers.
I think haters with guns has always been number one. People who own more than a half dozen firearms and express violent views regarding ethnic minorities or against the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms. Would it be possible to track when such people are attending gun shows where weapons are sold used and without a license? A numerical limit could be applied, to separate personal ownership from individuals who have purchased more than 50-100 rifles.
What other categories? I actually tell my kids I'm more afraid what John Edwards would do with powers like these. This is just a fantasy, right?! To underline the importance of obtaining warrants before authorities engage in domestic wiretapping. By the way, I consider myself an "archliberal" and am the product of New York City true believers.
PHIL :)