I don't want people running around willy nilly spouting off either.
Yes, Greg, it is more than possible to to the job that needs and stay within the bounds of the Constitution. That is how it should be done.
The reason that it has slipped out of that way is a multi-phaisic problem. That includes, but is not limited too, lack of funding, too much micro management, a departure from using experience as a major factor in placing people in higher management positions, lack of understanding of how the intell agencies work and on it goes.
You only have to look at Slick Willy to see just when and how we started to lose the handle on terrorists and that led to the reaction that Inman was concerned about, and he was and is correct in his assesments.
The closure of several key intercept sites in Europe. His unwillingness to listen to those who knew that problem. His closure of an extremely important site here in the U.S. A site that was the ONLY site in the world capable of doing the mission it was tasked with.
None of the sites closed were involved with tapping the phones of U.S. citizens in any way. With or without a warrant.
When that type of a tap was needed there was time to get the needed warrant. Why? because we were up on what was going on.
Once those assests were lost we were put into a REACTIVE rather than a PROACTIVE stance. Always a road to disaster. That stance and Clinton's total lack of understanding the problems lead directly to the attacks on 9/11.
It is quite possible, with not all that much work, to put together a system that will not only function within the constraints of the Constitution but do the job far better and in a more reliable way.
I don't see the talent in the White House, the Senate or the House to get that job done. That is why Obama signed on to the Patriot Act as he did. The problem is WAY over his ability to handle it. He has put weak people in key positions. He too does not believe that there is any real danger, despite his talk on the subject. He can spout off all he wants, I see the result of what he is DOING.
Terrorism is a VERY real problem, complex, difficult to attack on an intelligence level. We were doing it quite well at one time. We could again. It would take a fundamental change in thinking. I don't see that happening.