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Supreme Court Won't Hear ACLU Wiretap Case

Posted by kdawson on from the standing-knee-deep-in-paradox dept.

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "The US Supreme Court refused without comment the ACLU's appeal of a lower court ruling that prevented them from suing over the government's warrantless TSP program. The problem was a Catch-22: they lack legal 'standing' to sue over it because they can't prove that they were suspected terrorists, but neither can they find out who was actually suspected, because this is a matter of national security." Update: 02/20 00:17 GMT by KD : Removed an incorrect statement after a reader pointed out that, with the expiration of the Protect America Act this weekend, foreign surveillance will revert to oversight by the FISA court.

3 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. In other words by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you can sue us, we'll let you know, unless we consider that to be a secret.

  2. Too many Yoda references by spun · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Slashdot posters make.

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  3. The Argument Sketch by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well?
    Well what?
    You're listening to my phone calls and it's not a secret.
    I told you, you're not allowed to sue me unless you know my secret.
    But I do!
    No you don't.
    I DO!
    No you don't.
    Look, I don't want you spying on me.
    Well, that's a secret.
    Aha. If it's a secret, I must be a terrorist, so it's not a secret anymore! I got you!
    No you haven't.
    Yes I have. If it's an official government secret that you're spying on me, I must be a terrorist.
    Not necessarily. I could be listening to your phone calls in my spare time.