President bush should have had enough faith in Congress to ask for the law to be changed. Then FISA could have been updated for a post 9/11 new century era. It is clear that FISA intended Congress to act as a check and balance on secret surveillances of American citizens to protect Americans against privacy violations. Congress could have given President Bush a new law that allow him to carry out his duties, while protecting civil liberties of the American people. Also, I'm sure Congress would have wanted to limit the surveillance operations, so it did not go on indefinitely, and would require renewal over time as conditions changed.

Instead, President Bush circumvented the system and took matters into his own hand without regards to legal procedures. President Bush has stated his administration will seek to strengthen the powers of the executive branch, which of course, would come at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches of government, so President Bush's claiming of Presidential War Time Powers to carry out the surveillance of American citizens seems to fit right into his agenda. In the end he is likely to further restrict and weaken the powers of the executive branch, which would suit me just fine.

The outcome of this struggle for power and possible forfeiture of some American Freedom is important, because this could become a precedent affecting the executive branch well into the future, and who knows who might become president in 5 year, 10 years, 20 year, or even 50 year from now. I want my children, grand children, and great grand children to grow up in a the same free country to which I have been so privileged.

Regards,

LelandJ