NationStates Jolt Archive

Two groups are planning to file lawsuits against the Bush administration over the warrantless wiretapping program. Both groups hope to get the courts to order an immediate end to the program. The Justice Department is expected to mount a vigorous defense, according to the New York Times (http://nytimes.com/2006/01/17/politics/17nsa.html?hp&ex=1137474000&en=9aa4386db9bb10f6&ei=5094&partner=homepage).

As right-wingers no doubt expect, one of the groups filing the complaint is the ACLU--the other is the Center for Constitutional Rights. But look at the client list for the ACLU:
One of the A.C.L.U. plaintiffs, Larry Diamond, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute, said that a Stanford student studying in Egypt conducted research for him on political opposition groups, and that he worried that communications between them on sensitive political topics could be monitored. "How can we communicate effectively if you risk being intercepted by the National Security Agency?" Mr. Diamond said.

Also named as plaintiffs in the A.C.L.U. lawsuit are the journalist Christopher Hitchens, who has written in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; Barnett R. Rubin, a scholar at New York University who works in international relations; Tara McKelvey, a senior editor at The American Prospect; the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Greenpeace, the environmental advocacy group; and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the country's largest Islamic advocacy group.
The Hoover Institute is one of the oldest conservative think tanks in the US. Hitchens used to be a left-winger, but discovered the money was better on the right and has been one of the Bush administration's biggest cheerleaders. The American Prospect is a liberal not-for-profit, and you all know about Greenpeace.

This is one of those issues where I feel there ought to be real common ground between true conservatives and liberals who worry about personal freedoms. Unfortunately, true conservatives have been drowned out by their scaredy-cat brethren who are trying to make al Qaeda look like an amalgamation of Hitler, Stalin and AIDS all rolled into one.

Governments are more dangerous than terrorists. Just ask the russians. Or german jews. *nod*

Governments are more dangerous than terrorists. Just ask the russians. Or german jews. *nod*
Or German homosexuals, or German cripples, or gypsies from anywhere.

Whoa. This case is going to be big. Huzzah liberal-libertarian-conservative coalition! Get those criminal bastards!

Whoa. This case is going to be big. Huzzah liberal-libertarian-conservative coalition! Get those criminal bastards!

Expected response: But Clinto...er...JF...um...Linco...But Queen Elizabeth!

Did...something?

Take THAT, liberals!

Expected response: But Clinto...er...JF...um...Linco...But Queen Elizabeth!

Did...something?

Take THAT, liberals!
Hahaha!
*FLORT*

EDIT:
Hey Nazz, excellent post.

Whoa. This case is going to be big. Huzzah liberal-libertarian-conservative coalition! Get those criminal bastards!
I can only hope. It'll be interesting, though, to see how the tv news channels cover this story. Frankly, I don't hold out much of a shot of there being anything more than the weak-ass coverage we've gotten thus far.

I can only hope. It'll be interesting, though, to see how the tv news channels cover this story. Frankly, I don't hold out much of a shot of there being anything more than the weak-ass coverage we've gotten thus far.
Here's something interesting. I went to CNN.com to see if I could find a story on it (I couldn't. I just started looking, but if they have it it's not prominant...but anyway...) and I accidently hit 'search web' instead of 'search cnn.com' when I put in the word 'wiretap.' This is what happened. (http://websearch.cnn.com/websearch/search?source=cnn&invocationType=search%2Ftop&sites=web&query=wiretap) The first sponsered link was for The Spy Store (http://www.selfdefence.com/spy_shop/index.htm) that sells, among other things, Telephone tap detectors (http://www.selfdefence.com/spy_shop/phone_tap_detector.htm).

Now, before people start fitting me for a tin-foil hat, I know there are reasonable explinations for that happening, but I'm going to forward an unreasonable one for the fun of it-

It looks like there is a vested commercial interest in allowing tapping. So they can sell us stuff to protect ourselves from it.

Just in case there are people who only read the last line of a post, again-no I don't actually subscribe to that theory, it just struck me.

EDIT:After poking around in that website, it seems like the Dale Gribble Superstore....eek....and eek to the part of me that kinda thinks some of that is sorta cool, in a 'no, I wouldn't buy that' kinda way...

Here's something interesting. I went to CNN.com to see if I could find a story on it (I couldn't. I just started looking, but if they have it it's not prominant...but anyway...) and I accidently hit 'search web' instead of 'search cnn.com' when I put in the word 'wiretap.' This is what happened. (http://websearch.cnn.com/websearch/search?source=cnn&invocationType=search%2Ftop&sites=web&query=wiretap) The first sponsered link was for The Spy Store (http://www.selfdefence.com/spy_shop/index.htm) that sells, among other things, Telephone tap detectors (http://www.selfdefence.com/spy_shop/phone_tap_detector.htm).

Now, before people start fitting me for a tin-foil hat, I know there are reasonable explinations for that happening, but I'm going to forward an unreasonable one for the fun of it-

It looks like there is a vested commercial interest in allowing tapping. So they can sell us stuff to protect ourselves from it.

Just in case there are people who only read the last line of a post, again-no I don't actually subscribe to that theory, it just struck me.

EDIT:After poking around in that website, it seems like the Dale Gribble Superstore....eek....and eek to the part of me that kinda thinks some of that is sorta cool, in a 'no, I wouldn't buy that' kinda way...

I don't need a tap detector.

I just answer the phone like this now: "Fuck The NSA. Hello." :)

One wonders. If such a lawsuit came about. And if it made it to the Supreme Court. And assuming that he is confirmed. Would Alito recuse himself from considering this issue given all of the memos and legal advice regarding this matter that he provided?

Or is his nomination as much about looking to enshrine the tilting of the federal power into the oval office as it may be about his other views (Roe v Wade etc.). Because this administration has certainly worked very, very hard to assume as much power from the legislative branch as possible and BOTH of his nominations have been vocal supporters of this facet of this presidency.

I don't need a tap detector.

I just answer the phone like this now: "Fuck The NSA. Hello." :)
HA! Love it. :D

One wonders. If such a lawsuit came about. And if it made it to the Supreme Court. And assuming that he is confirmed. Would Alito recuse himself from considering this issue given all of the memos and legal advice regarding this matter that he provided?

Or is his nomination as much about looking to enshrine the tilting of the federal power into the oval office as it may be about his other views (Roe v Wade etc.). Because this administration has certainly worked very, very hard to assume as much power from the legislative branch as possible and BOTH of his nominations have been vocal supporters of this facet of this presidency.
I know which way I'd bet.

I don't need a tap detector.

I just answer the phone like this now: "Fuck The NSA. Hello." :)
I may have to try that.

I may have to try that.
Speaking as someone who was questioned by the FBI at length for statements I made on a public telephone, I would not recommend rattling the cage.

All the way back during the Carter Administration...

One wonders. If such a lawsuit came about. And if it made it to the Supreme Court. And assuming that he is confirmed. Would Alito recuse himself from considering this issue given all of the memos and legal advice regarding this matter that he provided?

Or is his nomination as much about looking to enshrine the tilting of the federal power into the oval office as it may be about his other views (Roe v Wade etc.). Because this administration has certainly worked very, very hard to assume as much power from the legislative branch as possible and BOTH of his nominations have been vocal supporters of this facet of this presidency.
Given that he already to failed to recuse himself from a case that he had a financial interest in and that he had already specifically promised in an earlier hearing to recuse himself from should it come up, I'd say the chances of Alito recusing himself are about the same as Al Sharpton being nominated to the next vacancy.

Excellent; there's nothing better than seeing the entire political spectrum come out and condemn what was done. Hopefully, this will steamroll in to a real investigation and, if required, impeachment. The fact that so many groups are coming out against this is more than enough to suggest something seriously wrong was being done by the Administration.

I don't need a tap detector.

I just answer the phone like this now: "Fuck The NSA. Hello." :)
"Ferris Bueller, you're my hero ..." ;)

:D

Speaking as someone who was questioned by the FBI at length for statements I made on a public telephone, I would not recommend rattling the cage.

All the way back during the Carter Administration...
...whatwhatWHAT?
You've suddenly become more interesting! Now i want to see what you have to post about it, AND i'm looking to believe you!
This year is turning out to be pretty unpredictable, indeed!

I may have to try that.

May? Nay I say, you shall, you will.
/spam

This looks like it'll be fun.