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The NSA doesn't require a signed court order for it's activities though. They're not allowed to spy on Americans (unless that American is communicating with a
by count 13y ago
The NSA doesn't require a signed court order for it's activities though. They're not allowed to spy on Americans (unless that American is communicating with a foreign person) at all. The FBI needs court orders, and is focused on Americans.
NSA is part of the Dept. of Defense, and there are lots of laws/rules/etc. that limit what it can do with US citizens.
- akiselev 13y agoThe issue is the lack of transparency of the laws/rules/etc. and the review and checks and balances problem. This NSA infrastructure is sufficient for an extremely effective domestic spying network and the only thing stopping them from starting up such a program is the FISA court, where EVERYTHING IS COMPARTMENTALIZED. Do you see a problem with that?
- count 13y agoYou misunderstand. I was merely pointing out that the existence, or lack thereof, of a court order, was completely beside the point as far as the National Security Agency is concerned. The NSA is chartered and bound to not do domestic spying. The only thing stopping anybody from doing anything is the law, and the threat of potentially violent enforcement of that law upon them. It's no different for the Agency.
- darkarmani 13y ago> They're not allowed to spy on Americans... > NSA is part of the Dept. of Defense, and there are lots of laws/rules/etc. that limit what it can do with US citizens. Wrong. They limit what it can legally do. This really reminds me of Dr. Strangelove: "How could this happen (nuclear strike order)?" "Well, I don't want to jump to any conclusions before all the facts are in, but it appears that General Ripper exceeded his authority." Sure they aren't allowed to do these things. But since no one is allowed to check up on them, they aren't prevented from doing those things.