Court of Appeals upholds unconstitutionality of Patriot Act's National Sec

[banana republican]

A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday on two challenges to the National Security Letter provision of the USA Patriot Act filed by the American Civil Liberties Uniion. Two different lower courts found the provision to be unconstitutional, and the ACLU argued that recent amendments to the law have made it even less democratic.

Using the NSL provision of the USA Patriot Act, the FBI can demand a range of personal records--email messages, visited websites, library records--without seeking court approval. In addition, the law puts an automatic gag on anyone whose records are gathered by the FBI.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/index.html#1364

[Rainscents]

1. Damn... Activist Judge!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. LOL! I was going to post the same reply!

:yoiks:

[BOSSHOG]

2. There is nothing Patriotic about the Patriot Act

It is just a craftily worded document put forth by "conservatives" in an attempt to circumvent the constitution. Its a document one would expect to originate from Russia or Nazi Germany. I applaud the courts rulings.

[mopinko]

8. .

[gratuitous]

3. This is why the Bush administration is fighting tooth and nail

Every legal challenge to this execrable, misguided, hideously misnamed piece of fascist crap shows it up for what it is: An unconstitutional power grab by the oligarchy. It's against every principle this country claims to be based on, and limits our citizens' freedom while doing nothing to enhance national security. We haven't exchanged a little freedom for more security; we've laid our throats open to the most ravenous, most secretive, most repressive regime our country has ever seen.

Since I know you're looking, Agent Mike, here's a personal message: Fuck you and get an honest job, asshole.

[BadGimp]

10. Bows in gratuitous's general direction

as for Agent Mike :

pppffffffttttt

[AnOhioan]

4. Hope springs eternal

Especially when the adults weigh in. :)

[987654321]

5. Thank you ACLU!

Where would we be without the ACLU?

Could anyone tell me how much of our money Bush spends on all of the court battles created because of his illegal actions? I know every administration has its share of court battles, yet I cannot think of a single administration that has had to spend as much time in court as this one.

[OutNow]

6. Yes, thanks ACLU

I've been a member of the ACLU for 30 years. I'm not a lawyer, just a member. I've given contributions when I can (I'm on disability now and don't have much money). Sometimes in the past, when the government is doing a good job on civil liberties (last one was JImmy Carter), I've considered letting my membership and contributions lapse. But I didn't because I knew some day the work of the ACLU would be needed again. That time is now. Please consider joining the ACLU if you're not a member and contributing some money.

[jazzjunkysue]

7. Wrote Judge Richard Cardamone: (My new hero!)

"A ban on speech and a shroud of secrecy in perpetuity are antithetical to democratic concepts and do not fit comfortably with the fundamental rights guaranteed American citizens.... Unending secrecy of actions taken by government officials may also serve as a cover for possible official misconduct and/or incompetence.
Judge Cardamone added that national security concerns “should be leavened with common sense so as not forever to trump the rights of the citizenry under the Constitution.”

Cardamone for president! There is still some America left in amurikka!

Maybe we'll survive this and start to grow up a little, as a nation.......

[Mr_Spock]

9. That Antipatriot act is a real gem eh?

Apparently there are a few judges that still believe in the Constitution.

[heartofthesiskiyou]

11. Day not be jujjin. Day be legislain

[Qutzupalotl]

14. Day be jujjin de legislain

and finding it unconstitutional. That's okay.

[Marr]

13. The court has made a decision. Now let's see them enforce it.

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has been allowed to repeatedly ignore the law without repercussions.