> MR. STANZEL: Well, those are conversations that are ongoing. And as
> you would remember, prospective liability was passed in August, and
> that gave liability protection to companies to assist going
> forward. That prospective liability comes into question with the
> expiration of the Protect America Act.
>
> So as you heard the leaders talk about, those companies are
> increasingly reluctant to help their country and help us track the
> activities of terrorists in foreign lands. It becomes more and more
> difficult as time goes on to obtain their cooperation on these
> issues, and that is of great concern.
>
> Yes, Helen?
>
> Q: What right does the President have to tell any company or any
> person in this country to break the law?
>
> MR. STANZEL: I — what’s your point?
>
> Q: No warrants and so forth; that they can go and spy on us without
> any warrants?
>
> MR. STANZEL: The Protect America Act was passed by Congress last
> August, as you know, and signed into law. So it is a lawful program
> that is expiring tomorrow night.
>
> Q: Well, if it’s lawful, why would you not get a warrant? It still
> prevails, doesn’t it?
>

Why CYA Prez Needs to Wiretap US