Vermont proposes bill to outlaw spying without court order

[shance]

All politics are local. Take back your country.



Vermont proposes bill to outlaw spying without court order

By Adam Silverman

Vermont legislators will debate a resolution that criticizes President Bush's controversial surveillance program and seeks to prevent eavesdropping without a court order from occurring in the state.

The measure is the first of its kind in the country, according to the Massachusetts-based Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

(snip)

Fisher's nonbinding resolution says surveillance without warrants lacks "any plausible legal authority."

"These actions diminish the rule of law and do not enhance national security," reads a section of the measure, which Fisher introduced Wednesday.

A central provision urges all state and local government agencies, businesses and residents to obtain an assurance that surveillance is court-approved before they participate in NSA eavesdropping. Fisher's measure also asks the Attorney General's Office to become involved with cases in which someone is asked to cooperate without receiving an assurance.

(snip)

"I'm astounded the president thinks he can go around the judiciary," Fisher said. "If you buy the argument that he can, then there's no limit to his power."

Co-sponsors of the resolution include Democrats and Progressives but no Republicans.

(snip)

The bill, if passed, would not require Douglas' signature because the measure is a resolution, Gibbs said.

"The governor hopes that this issue will be resolved by the Congress in a way that protects civil liberties," he said. "It's unnecessary for Vermont to take any additional action."

In Massachusetts, Bill of Rights Defense Committee director Nancy Talanian said no other state or local legislative body has considered any measure similar to Fisher's. The defense committee, whose mission statement calls for supporting civil liberties, hopes Vermont's action against wiretapping without warrants will catch on elsewhere.

"Vermont's resolution is making this a local issue, which of course it is, because the wiretapping is going on nationwide," Talanian said. "I hope this and other actions across the country will force the administration to obey the law and the Constitution."




http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/NEWS01/602100318/1009/NEWS05

[rodeodance]

1. Grand, the exact OPPOSITE of what WH/Roberts deal is all about.

[shance]

2. Burlington should be our nation's capitol*

:)

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Exactly

They're going to change the law so they can continue to break it. :mad:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

3. Good for you Vermont! I applaud your style.

:applause:

[shance]

5. They deserve the applause. Now we just need to be as active citizens

as they are.

[newyawker99]

6. shance

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