the keys" for the US Intelligence Community (IC), and knows precisely what electronic surveillance was (and was not) directed at the al-Qaeda cells known to operating inside the country before the attacks, and what was carried out with FISA warrants and what wasn't; (2) he has convinced Congressional overseers and his uniformed colleagues that he, and those immediately under his command, operated properly under the circumstances.

Any pre-9/11 illegalities involving the NSA, such as warrantless phone and internet surveillance, was systematic and approved at the highest levels of the White House (both Clinton and Bush) with Congressional notification.

The decisions to violate FISA were made "above his pay grade", and his Agency carried out what it was told to do.

All this will be coming out. In the meantime, read this for the details: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0310/S002...