Judge nixes warrantless surveillance
By Sarah Karush
Published August 17, 2006 by Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_ ... rveillance (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_on_go_pr_wh/warrantless_surveillance)
A federal judge ruled Thursday that the government's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered an immediate halt to it.
U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency's program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
"Plaintiffs have prevailed, and the public interest is clear, in this matter. It is the upholding of our Constitution," Taylor wrote in her 43-page opinion.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of journalists, scholars and lawyers who say the program has made it difficult for them to do their jobs. They believe many of their overseas contacts are likely targets of the program, which involves secretly listening to conversations between people in the U.S. and people in other countries.
The government argued that the program is well within the president's authority, but said proving that would require revealing state secrets.
The ACLU said the state-secrets argument was irrelevant because the Bush administration already had publicly revealed enough information about the program for Taylor to rule.
I like how the case is summed up in one short sentance, an yet, it goes on to state that the judge issued a 43 page opinion.... :wink: ---- Anyway, strike one small blow for freedom eh////?????????/ sal
Unfortunately the politicians are talking like this is a victory for terrorists instead of a victory for average Americans. The democrats don't want to touch the issue and I fear the courts under pressure from bushhole will reverse it. That's why I say the demos aren't worth a warm bucket of piss. It's the old good cop/ bad cop routine. No matter which of the two major parties you pick they all fuck you.
Meanwhile, the corporate controlled media is putting subtle spin on the issue in favor of the administration. They try to keep us focused on fear of the unknown and terrorism while our constitutional rights are quietly being shredded. By the time people wake up, it will be too late.
Yeah, I gotta agree about the Guv's misdirection efforts while they steal away all our liberties..... It's a real shame. too; in that while our costitution is being relentlessy whittled down to nothing, the sheeple just sit back in their complacency.... Guess the ole adage of the people get the Guv they deserve is a truism eh????????? sal