The National Security Agency (NSA), Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) are engaged in a shameless public relations full court press heading into the President's speech on Friday, where he is expected to announce NSA "reform." "Reform" is in quotes because it's looking more and more like the changes will be more cosmetic than meaningful.

The FISC weighed in on the policy debate opposing any reform. The New York Times calls the letter from the "nation's judiciary," but if the FISC were a proper court, it would not be weighing in on policy debates.

DNI General Counsel Robert Litt has been trotting out the surveillance state's talking points that everything NSA does is legal and proper.

Rep. Bernie Sanders, who was unable to get a clear answer about whether or not the NSA is spying on Congress, is not reassured. Well, to be more precise, in classic NSA fashion, NSA Director Alexander says NSA doesn't spy on Congress but doesn't include collecting congressional phone records as "spying."

The fact that the FISC and the surveillance apparatus are teaming up to oppose meaningful reform in advance of the President speech demonstrates to an even greater extent why such reforms are necessary.