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However, in practice this is a sham requirement. The FISA court set up to "protect" the rights of those being spied upon has approved all but a handful of such requests, so whether a warrant is "required" these days makes no difference in practice.

I would agree with questioning the Constitutionality of recently proposed changes to the FISA (H.R. 6304, Jun 20, 2008) as well as other Bush administration sponsored changes, cannot agree that the overwhelming approval rate for past FISA warrant requests makes the court process "a sham."  Even the ACLU is vigorous in its defense of the FISA court in its critiques of warrantless wiretapping.  While I am sure that fewer warrant approvals would be applauded by that respected group, it doesn't seem to be calling for the court's demise but rather the opposite.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Sat Jun 21st, 2008 at 10:32:42 PM EST

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