U.S. asks judges to toss NSA suits

[dogday]

The Bush administration has asked federal judges in New York and Michigan to dismiss a pair of lawsuits against the National Security Agency's (NSA) domestic eavesdropping program, saying litigating them would jeopardize state secrets.

In papers filed late Friday, Justice Department lawyers said it would be impossible to defend the legality of the spying program without disclosing classified information that could be of value to suspected terrorists.

The administration laid out some supporting arguments in classified memos filed under seal.

The government's motion involves two cases challenging an NSA program that allows investigators to eavesdrop on Americans who communicate with people outside the country who are suspected of terrorist ties.

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