YOU SAY CIRCUMVENT, I SAY DODGED, GOT AROUND, AVOIDED...

This is classic.

Q Mr. President...the FISA law was implemented in 1978 in part because of revelations that the National Security Agency was spying domestically. What is wrong with that law if you feel you have to circumvent it and, as you just admitted, expand presidential power?

THE PRESIDENT: May I -- if I might, you said that I have to circumvent it. There -- wait a minute. That's a -- there's something -- it's like saying, you know, you're breaking the law. I'm not. See, that's what you've got to understand. I am upholding my duty, and at the same time, doing so under the law and with the Constitution behind me. That's just very important for you to understand.

Secondly, the FISA law was written in 1978. We're having this discussion in 2006. It's a different world. And FISA is still an important tool. It's an important tool. And we still use that tool. But also -- and we -- look -- I said, look, is it possible to conduct this program under the old law? And people said, it doesn't work in order to be able to do the job we expect us to do.

And so that's why I made the decision I made. And you know, "circumventing" is a loaded word, and I refuse to accept it, because I believe what I'm doing is legally right.

And now, a short play.

A cherry tree lies on the stage next to a stump. A small boy stands nearby with a hatchet.

MR WASHINGTON
George! What happened to the cherry tree?

YOUNG GEORGE
I cannot tell a lie.

MR WASHINGTON
Why did you chop down the cherry tree, George?

YOUNG GEORGE
May I--if I might, you said that I chopped the tree down. There-- wait a minute. It's like saying, you know, that I did something wrong. What I did was take this hatchet, and repeatedly strike the sharp edge of it against the tree trunk. And then the top part of the tree eventually broke off and fell over. And that's why I made the decision I made. And you know, "chop" is a loaded word, and I refuse to accept it.

fin