The ACLU announced a victory today when a federal judge struck down a provision of the revised ‘Patriot Act’.
A federal court today struck down the amended Patriot Act’s National Security Letter (NSL) provision. The law has permitted the FBI to issue NSLs demanding private information about people within the United States without court approval, and to gag those who receive NSLs from discussing them. The court found that the gag power was unconstitutional and that because the statute prevented courts from engaging in meaningful judicial review of gags, it violated the First Amendment and the principle of separation of powers.
U.S. District Court Judge Victor Marrero wrote, “In light of the seriousness of the potential intrusion into the individual’s personal affairs and the significant possibility of a chilling effect on speech and association – particularly of expression that is critical of the government or its policies (emphasis mine) – a compelling need exists to ensure that the use of NSLs is subject to the safeguards of public accountability, checks and balances, and separation of powers that our Constitution prescribes.
The importance of the 1st Amendment in a truly democratic society cannot be over emphasized. Dian has a great post up on the 1st Amendment over at Concerned Citizens
It is really a meeting of ‘subversives’ cunningly disguised as pinko, commie liberal celebratory party goers… the table dancing is to distract the NSA and the FBI who will no doubt be photographing and eavesdropping.
Would be funny to see some drop out of the eaves there. I can picture it now.
Isn’t table dancing illegal?
I think this Buck guy should be seriously looked at.
Sounds a tad seditious, if not yet, it soon will be. Aren’t we talking about the Patriot Act here?
Good! While we independents are table dancing I understand there will be a fair contingent of staunch dems to keep you entertained if you find the former not to your liking
Boy, I can’t wait for my secret password, is it any thing like the decoder ring I got from “Little Orphan Annie” when I was a boy, I’m just as excited now as I was then. I don’t ever want to be square , so I’ll be there.
Well, now that you are becoming a POWER USER I will send along a password to one of the private pages where all the real action takes place.
The restaurant is at a super secret location … be there or be square
Are you sorry , yet, that you showed me how to do this. Actually, flash gordon was a comic strip, and you are quite alive, so far. I don’t want you in the same condition as my grand daughter.
The stuff you write here is absolutely great, but does anybody but me get to read it.
And there you go again, up before 5 .
I’ll try to be at your birthday party, but I don’t remember where the restaraunt is.
Why don’t you put spell check on you blog, I’m having a hell of a time.
There you go again…. trying to control everything – You know that flash gordon never slept
Hope you make it to the b’day celebration
The stuff you are putting on your blog is very good and timely, but it is taking time away from your paying work and your sleep. You only have so much energy, use it wisely.