State Secrets Defense Rejected In Wiretapping Case

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday January 6, 2009 @09:27AM from the come-out-into-the-light dept.

knifeyspooney writes in with an Ars Technica report that a federal judge has issued a strong rebuke to government lawyers attempting to invoke the "state secrets" defense to quash a lawsuit over warrantless wiretapping. This is not the high-profile case the EFF is bringing against the NSA; instead the case is being pursued by an Islamic charity that knows it had been wiretapped. "At times, a note of irritation crept into [Judge] Walker's even, judicial language. At one point, he described the government's argument as 'without merit,' and characterized another as 'circular.' He also seemed impatient with the Justice Department's refusal to provide any classified documents addressing Al Haramain's specific claims for review in chambers. 'It appears... that defendants believe they can prevent the court from taking any action under 1806(f) by simply declining to act,' wrote Walker."

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Re:really? by TubeSteak · 2009-01-06 10:10 · Score: 0, Offtopic

fucking finally
What does this Administration care?
Bush/Cheney got all the benefit and the whole mess is going to land in Obama's lap.
It really is better for the Republicans this way, in that their party got to eat the fruit of the poisonous tree for years and now they can turn around and harangue Obama/Democrats if he/they decides to pull that tree up by the roots.

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o0t!
Re:Gnome users come from... by alexborges · 2009-01-06 10:16 · Score: 0, Offtopic

I hate you.
Why didnt I get invited to THAT party!

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