The White House thinks you need to know the definitions of the words "domestic" and "international" and they're helping you out in today's wonderfully helpful (they hope, in the legal sense...) press release:
Domestic Calls are calls inside the United States. International Calls are calls either to or from the United States.
Domestic Flights are flights from one American city to another. International Flights are flights to or from the United States.
Domestic Mail consists of letters and packages sent within the United States. International Mail consists of letters and packages sent to or from the United States.
Domestic Commerce involves business within the United States. International Commerce involves business between the United States and other countries. Thank you, President Bush's lawyers! Now here's a definition for you!
Irrelevant is information having nothing to do with the problem at hand. You see, Mr. President's lawyers, your problem is the following passage from something thing called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act! And here it is!
TITLE 50 > CHAPTER 36 > SUBCHAPTER I >
§ 1802. Electronic surveillance authorization without court order":
(1) Notwithstanding any other law, the President, through the Attorney General, may authorize electronic surveillance without a court order under this subchapter to acquire foreign intelligence information for periods of up to one year if the Attorney General certifies in writing under oath that—
(A) the electronic surveillance is solely directed at—
(i) the acquisition of the contents of communications transmitted by means of communications used exclusively between or among foreign powers, as defined in section 1801 (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this title; or [Bushbot cliff notes: that would mean both parties are "international..."]
(ii) the acquisition of technical intelligence, other than the spoken communications of individuals, from property or premises under the open and exclusive control of a foreign power, as defined in section 1801 (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this title; [Bushbot cliff notes: that's like an embassy or somethin' like 'at...]
(B) there is no substantial likelihood that the surveillance will acquire the contents of any communication to which a United States person is a party; ... Oops! Did they say "to which a United States person is a party????" I think that means neither part is in the United States -- on a phone call that's "domestic" or "international"...
Well, looks like it's time for another definition!
Screwed.
Have a nice day!
Tags: politics, News, Bush, national security, NSA, government, spying, president, impeachment |
