The assumption being that if the government puts you trial, obviously you are guilty and the whole point of the trial is to exact your public confession.
The diffence being here that this is a CIVIL case where the Plaintiffs are not allowed to release information about the case. I agree, the gag order seems to be a bit much, but come on--it's not like the ISP faces jailtime or death without the public knowing about it like your comparison with China suggests. I believe that this case shows why judicial oversight exists--to reign in the laws that an overeager legislative branch draws up.
The truly scary part, however, is that the law passed by such a huge margin. Senators and Congressman are not the type of people who vote unanimously on laws that are unpopular among their constituents--it would be too easy to vote against it and then highlight the law during the next election season. For a law to pass with such a margin means that the American people, \.ers excluded, have no problem with the new powers granted PATRIOT.
Slashdot Mirror
The assumption being that if the government puts you trial, obviously you are guilty and the whole point of the trial is to exact your public confession.
The diffence being here that this is a CIVIL case where the Plaintiffs are not allowed to release information about the case. I agree, the gag order seems to be a bit much, but come on--it's not like the ISP faces jailtime or death without the public knowing about it like your comparison with China suggests. I believe that this case shows why judicial oversight exists--to reign in the laws that an overeager legislative branch draws up.
The truly scary part, however, is that the law passed by such a huge margin. Senators and Congressman are not the type of people who vote unanimously on laws that are unpopular among their constituents--it would be too easy to vote against it and then highlight the law during the next election season. For a law to pass with such a margin means that the American people, \.ers excluded, have no problem with the new powers granted PATRIOT.
bmac