Concurring Opinions has a fantastic humorous translation of Attorney General Gonzales’ testimony at the NSA surveillance hearings. A couple of highlights for your reading pleasure:
GONZALES: Presidents throughout our history has authorized the warrantless surveillance of the enemy during wartime, and they have done so in ways far more sweeping than the narrowly targeted terrorist surveillance program authorized by President Bush.
TRANSLATION: They did it too! It ain’t fair to single us out. Yes, they did it before the FISA was passed, but still!
GONZALES: In terms of, "Why not go to the FISA Court?" once the determination was made that neither the Constitution nor FISA prohibited the use of this tool, then the question becomes, for the commander in chief, which of the tools is appropriate given a particular circumstance. . . . What I can say, Senator, is that we are continually looking at ways that we can work with the FISA Court in being more efficient and more effective in fighting the war on terror.
TRANSLATION: Basically, going to the FISA court is a total pain in the ass.
