[okie01]

Also a question, none of this would be allowed to be used in court if there wasn't a warrant for the info, right?

Correct...superficially. Inasmuch as the evidence is more likely to be used to target an assassination or a foreign capture than in court.

But, should it come to that, the evidence would be allowed in court. The 4th amendment does not protect an American citizen (or resident) who is complicit in an act of treason. In that case, their rights of citizenship (and, thus, 4th amendment protection) are forfeit.

But, if the charge was a garden variety felony (drug-dealing, e.g.), the evidence would be disallowed.

[dirtboy]

But, if the charge was a garden variety felony (drug-dealing, e.g.), the evidence would be disallowed.

And there are two critical points around this.

If the Bush Admin got tempted and used this power for warrantless survelliance that had nothing to do with a clear national security purpose, then they should get spanked.

On the other hand, if the Dems keep harping on a clear national security issue as they work to cover up the Barrett Report, all their claims of abuses of power by the Bush Admin will ring hollow and bite them in the arse.

So we'd better hope this power has not been abused. And I'm kinda scared about that, because certain elements on the right are tempted to abuse such powers for their own agendas that have nothing to do with national security.

[Cboldt]

The 4th amendment does not protect an American citizen (or resident) who is complicit in an act of treason. In that case, their rights of citizenship (and, thus, 4th amendment protection) are forfeit.

Do all the rights and procedures described in the Constitution cease to apply in the case of a citizen being charged and tried for treason?