The view from across the pond

[mdlbear]

Secret court secretly reviewing secret wiretaps | The Register -- wonderfully vitriolic article on current doings in Washington.

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter (Republican, Pennsylvania) has crafted proposed legislation, pre-approved by the White House, enabling the FISA star chamber court to rubber-stamp the NSA's massive, warrantless wiretap program, and decide that it is constitutional. Clearly, the Republicans don't want the Supremes to get their hands on this one, although it is hard to imagine them letting the FISA court have the last word.

It goes on to mention military tribunals, the National Asset Database (which includes such juicy terror targets as a petting zoo and the Amish Country Popcorn Factory in Indiana.)