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Congress Tries To Strip Power From Anti-Wiretap Judge

Posted by Soulskill on from the excellent-use-of-taxpayer-dollars dept.

palegray.net writes "Congress is attempting to strip US District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of his power following his ruling against the government regarding immunity for telecoms in the NSA wiretapping case. Walker was appointed to the bench by President Bush, and has attempted to enforce existing prohibitions against warrantless wiretapping. From the Wired article: 'Walker, the chief judge of the Northern District of California, affirmed that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is the exclusive legal method for conducting surveillance inside the United States against suspected spies and [terrorists]. The Bush Administration argues that Congress's vote to authorize military force against Al Qaeda and the president's inherent war time powers were exceptions to the exclusivity provision.' The article makes the observation that Congress seems to be having difficulties bringing itself to enforce the laws that it has previously passed regarding wiretapping, and seems more interesting in silencing opposing viewpoints." Update: 07/06 16:15 GMT by SS: As several readers have noted, the vote would only limit Judge Walker with respect to this particular case. His other responsibilities would be unaffected.

7 of 332 comments (clear)

  1. ptbob by ptbob · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sounds like a typical case of "These rules are for other people, not us". Mr Bush seems to like that thought process.

    1. Re:ptbob by Macrat · · Score: 5, Insightful

      So maybe this is why the "war" keeps dragging on and on? As long as we have a war going, he thinks he can do anything he wants? (and is often the case)

      What do you think the "war" was created for in the first place?

  2. He is the government by debrain · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Congress is attempting to strip US District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of his power following his ruling against the government regarding immunity for telecoms in the NSA wiretapping case. Walker

    It is misleading to say that he ruled against the government. He represents a branch of the government, an independent judiciary, and he made a decision contrary to that of other branches of government. He has lived up to his role (nigh duty) and provided the checks and balances that keep the government as a whole in check.

  3. Republicans and Democrats.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Republicans and Democrats have done more to strip America of her civil liberties than terrorists ever could.

  4. Re:People wonder why I don't vote... by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How is Bush different than Saddam?

    He doesn't feed people feet first into plastic shredders. He doesn't use chemical weapons against citizens of his country. He doesn't have women raped and children tortured in front of their parents. He's going to be out of office via the normal process come next January.

    There is a much longer list. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a fan at all. I think he's made numerous blunders and our country is weaker for it. Rampant spending, ill advised military operations that are governed by the State Department more than the Pentagon (if you're going to fight a war, fight it to win). That list goes on and on as well, but to compare him to Saddam is disingenuous at best.

  5. Re:You Americans by b4dc0d3r · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The reason there is no rioting in the streets is:
    1) We mostly have decent jobs
    2) Even if we don't, we have stuff we can do, like watch tv
    3) When the economy is good, we feel unaffected, when it's bad we're just trying to get by
    4) This won't affect our internet, tv, choice of cars, schools for the kids, mortgage or rent, and especially not our back yards.
    5) the price of high-fructose-laden foods

    It looks like more than one reason but it really isn't. Sadly, life is too good right now to be worried about things like our civil rights being eroded.

  6. Re:You Americans by Stew+Gots · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It looks like more than one reason but it really isn't.

    What you list is very old knowledge dating at least as far back as the Romans and generally referred to as "bread and circuses". In essence, keep the populace fed and distracted and they won't rebel.

    You miss one very big innovation against dissent in modern America though - the corporate culture. The world of employment - background checks, drug tests, internet searches of what potential (and actual) employees are doing, etc. - puts a whole extra layer of difficulty and fear between citizens and their government. In most states you can be fired for any reason at all and have no legal recourse. That not only chills but deep freezes a lot of free speech and expression. Without laws to curb the corporations democracy, or what is left of it, is ultimately screwed.