I think the better question is, when is it appropriate/necessary to forego the court order? Also, I believe the author is suffering under the false impression that a court order is absolutely required in each and every instance. The President has the legal authority to allow such surveillance when there are enemies or known terrorists who are threatening the safety of the country.

Nobody seemed to fuss all that much when Clinton did this sort of thing after Oklahoma City. The threat today is much greater and much wider than a few neo-nazi whack-jobs either.

Finally, it may have escaped the notice of some, but we had this little incident back in September of 2001. Apparently, a number of people have forgotten this, as well as the fact that Congress actually provided the President with the implicit authority to act in their declaration around that same time.

Someone once said that the Constitution is not a suicide pact. It would be wise to consider this, instead of politicking and paranoia being drummed up by the media and certain members of congress.

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