FISA permits retroactive warrants

to the editor: Re: "Senators Cite F.B.I. Failures As Chief Promises Change"
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/washington/28fbi.html
Your article relates without comment mr. Mueller's assertion that the "[national security] letters were a critical tool in fighting terrorism, because they permitted investigators to check out contacts of suspected militants swiftly". As has already been reported in this paper, the Carter-era FISA statute already permits search warrants to be issued retroactively in case of urgent investigations. There was therefore never any legitimate need to circumvent the FISA court. These national security letters were and remain a cynical effort to evade proper judicial oversight. It is proper that mr. Mueller accepts responsibility for these abuses. It is overdue that he were replaced, and these abuses ended.
Barry Levine1142 Brown AvenueLafayette, CA 94549