Judge Strikes Down Part of Patriot Act

Shining Celebi writes "U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled in favor of the ACLU and struck down a portion of the revised USA PATRIOT Act this morning, forcing investigators to go through the courts to obtain approval before ordering ISPs to give up information on customers, instead of just sending them a National Security Letter. In the words of Judge Marrero, this use of National Security Letters 'offends the fundamental constitutional principles of checks and balances and separation of powers.'"

Comments

Re:to be blunt

[Scrameustache]

I wouldn't solely blame "the administration" for this, as both parties have actively supported the Patriot Act. Not unanimously: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about/

• He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
• He voted against the Patriot Act.
• He voted against regulating the Internet.

Re:It's a good start

[plague3106]

What we have now needs improvement, sure. Letting the government run it (and taxing everyone to death to fund it) is not the solution. We already have an obesity problem; I can't imagine what would happen if suddenly there were no costs associated with being obese. Right now there are a few, but to have none.. ugh.