wittis and tim edgar. -- ben wittes and tim edgar. >> quickly. mr. wittes?k, i'm going to introduce the two of you. then we will begin with wittes and go to edgar, if that is agreeable. benjamin wittes is a senior fellow at the brookings institution. he is editor-in-chief of "law fair," a highly regarded national security law blog. this blog is frequently read by members and staff. i understand that he has on occasion consulted with our committee staff. thank you for your frequent commentary and your availability. you are the author of several books. a member of the hoover institution task force on national security and law. you have previously served as an editorial writer for "the washington post," specializing in legal affairs, and as a reporter and news editor at "legal times." you are a graduate of oberlin college. tim edgar is a visiting fellow at the watson institute for it -- for international studies at brown university and an adjunct professor of law at georgetown university law center. he served under president obama as the first director of priva

tim. >>> one of baltimore's iconic landmarks reopens its doors. the home of edgar alan poe will once again welcome visitors on weekends in october. the best part admission is free. the poe house will shut down after october before reopening in the spring. poe lived at the row home on north amity street in the 1830s. >>> the red sox are in town today for the last series of the orioles season. the birds are not heading to the playoffs but they're also not going down without a fight. last night taking on the blue jays, os starting pitcher miguel gonzalez was outstanding. he allowed just one run which was caused by an error in the outfield. the orioles rallied at the plates. a home run to left field. the os win their second straight game beating the blue jays 3-2. >>> and from baseball to football, the ravens take on buffalo sunday. watch the game right here on wjz. kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. >>> and stay tuned after the action for our special post- game coverage. highlights, reaction from the ravens and analysis from former raven wally williams. that's sunday here on wjz

let me welcome tim edgar of the watson institute for international studies at brown university.mmittee has been conducting oversight over the previously classified intelligence collection conducted under sections 215 for several years. we have held numerous hearings dating back to 2007 on fisa authorities. we have debated these provisions and amendments internally for several years now. this committee, as well as the judiciary committee, have reviewed the legalities of these programs, have been briefed on their operation, and have been notified of problems with their implementation. this committee has previously informed all senators of additional classified information regarding these programs available for their review prior to senate review. it is my opinion that the surveillance and other programs are lawful.he nsa they are effective and they are conducted under careful oversight by the department of justice, it nsa, office of the director of national intelligence, and by the fisa court and the congress. i also believe collecting timely and actionable intelligence is critica