MSNBC: U.S. MUST release domestic spying documents

[Coexist]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11389667/
<snip>
Judge rules in favor of civil liberties group in Freedom of Information case
Updated: 2:53 p.m. ET Feb. 16, 2006
WASHINGTON - A federal judge Thursday ordered the Justice Department to respond within 20 days to requests by a civil liberties group for documents about President Bush’s domestic eavesdropping program.

The ruling was a victory for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which sued the department under the Freedom of Information Act in seeking the release of the documents.
U.S. District Judge Henry Kennedy ruled that the department must finish processing the group’s requests and produce or identify all records within 20 days.

<snip>
Records sought by the group include an audit of the program, a “checklist” guide used to determine whether an individual’s phone or e-mail messages could be monitored, documents showing how information gleaned through eavesdropping had been used, and other legal opinions about the program.

[fooj]

1. Right. Like they follow the RULE OF LAW.

Peace.

[Ksec]

2. Does this Judge think theyll give a shit what he rules?

Pulease. This regime spits at our laws .

[jsamuel]

3. they will just appeal, appeal, appeal

[Coexist]

4. But of course...

<snip>
"A spokesman said Justice Department lawyers were reviewing the judge’s ruling."

[distantearlywarning]

5. The real question here is:

Or what?

They must release all the documents or what will happen then?

I seem to remember a judge telling this admin. that they had to release torture photos too, and that never happened. This administration has demonstrated time and again that they have a total disdain for actual law, and they are not likely to comply with any directive unless they face consequences. So what are the consequences?

My guess is there aren't any. So this group shouldn't hold its breath waiting for the documents it wants to look at. (And can I just say that this is just one more example of how this country is rapidly deteriorating?)

[Coexist]

6. Sorry folks - but this IS big news

It is really big news.

They have 20 days to comply or explain in writing why they have not.

[HereSince1628]

7. It's an example of the court exerting its power, */Cheney will ignore that

and such dismissive treatment of the courts ought to ultimately catch-up with them.

[Ksec]

8. Oh I agree.

My point was that they wont do whats right or legal. Theyll just redefine what a court order means and say its unpatriotic to reply. You know what I mean?

The big stories lately have gone ignored by media with the Cheney shooting a man in the face story.

[Coexist]

10. It is on MSBNC's front page! I logged on and there it was.

[Ksec]

12. I believe they think Presidential power trumps all others,

including this Judges power.

Theyve really put themselves in a way which could be easily prosecuted as a crime if we had a real Congress.

[lonestarnot]

9. 20 days... 20 days to comply

[Coexist]

13. thanks for that catch.

sorry
:blush:

[lonestarnot]

18. No need for blushing or appologies fldem5

:-) :hi:

[peekaloo]

11. All together: Activist judges are subverting our democracy.

[Coexist]

15. and thank God/Goddess for them, eh!

[peekaloo]

17. You betcha!

:D

[Coexist]

14. this is all we got folks - Sen. Roberts says, 'no investigation'

on CNN now - developing.

[sarcasmo]

16. Kick and Nom #3. The Dictator needs to come clean.

[FormerRepublican]

19. Well, you gotta say one thing about this - if someone leaks the info,

...it will be hard to prosecute them for the leak when there's a valid court order for them to be released.

[PBass]

20. Administration will say they can't release the docs because it would

compromise national security.

Come on, that's easy.

[Theduckno2]

21. Maybe this will nudge Congress in the right direction.

I have seen recent reports (here and elsewhere) that indicate the steam may being out of the drive for Congressional hearings on the illegal NSA domestic spying matter. This may give some cover to those in Congress wanting to exercise oversight over the Executive Branch.

This is good news though.