Telecoms cut off FISA wiretaps

A lot of people have commented on the news that the telecoms have shut down the FISA wiretapping program because the government has failed to pay them on time, but the best comment I've seen so far is mcjoan at Kos:

Remember how the FISA "reform" bill was pushed through Congress just before the August recess last year because of critical "national security" concerns? Remember how that action was so urgent because these warrantless wiretaps are such a critical part of our national security? This is how much of a priority it really is:

WASHINGTON—Telephone companies have cut off FBI wiretaps used to eavesdrop on suspected criminals because of the bureau's repeated failures to pay phone bills on time....

In at least one case, a wiretap used in a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act investigation "was halted due to untimely payment," the audit found. FISA wiretaps are used in the government's most sensitive and secretive criminal investigations, and allow eavesdropping on suspected terrorists or spies.