use of this Orwellian technology for political purposes.

And these are when they were caught.

It's currently used for the "Drug War", a highly political endeavor.

Of course, once CISPES was designated as a terrorist organization...

: The Washington Post Magazine, June 23 1996
:
* The CISPES investigation expanded. The FBI conducted a MASSIVE NATIONWIDE
* investigation that put under surveillance ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY
* liberal groups, many of them religious or political organizations.

By definition, ECHELON surveillance of 1,330 groups is NOT an "aberration".

The state of Congressional oversight (and punishment of FISA violations)
is horrifying.

Not only did the NSA/FBI use FISA in a criminal manner, they then cross-
referenced through everyone ever connecting to CISPES - no matter how
distant - to achieve massive domestic spying for political purposes.

To crush peaceful lawful political protest.

In America.

For the President.

And they did it WITHOUT getting 1,330 FISA warrants.

Question: How do you spy on 1,330 domestic groups?

Answer: El