Wiretapping Case — Bush Plays the Trump Card

The Bush Administration has played a trump card in one of the wiretapping cases.

According to this article in Wired News, the administration has claimed the state secrets privilege in the Electronic Frontier Foundation case against AT&T — which is trying to force AT&T to stop assisting the NSA's wiretapping.

According to the article

That privilege allows the government to tell a judge that a civil case may expose information detrimental to national security, and to ask that testimony or documents be hidden or a lawsuit dismissed. That extraordinary executive power was established in English common law and upheld in a 1953 Supreme Court case involving the fatal crash of a secret bomber.

...

The state secrets privilege cannot be found in the U.S. Code, the code of federal regulations or the Constitution. Instead, it is a part of common law, the body of laws and precedents created over centuries of legal decisions. When the government believes that a civil suit might reveal secrets injurious to the country, the head of the appropriate government agency must review the matter and submit a signed affidavit attesting to the danger of the lawsuit or documents that might be disclosed.

Judges almost invariably agree to such requests, according to William Weaver, a law professor and senior adviser to the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition. Emphasis mine

I'm not sure this is such a big deal. I'm dubious of this roundabout way of approaching this case. I do not believe it is AT&T's responsibility to weigh in on the legality of this program. The legal issues involved are technical enough that, even though I believe the program is illegal, I also believe that it is not AT&T's place to make that determination.

If this strategy is used in the cases directed against he federal government directly, then I will be upset, since I do believe the wiretapping program is illegal, and I believe that those direct lawsuits are the correct way to address the program's legality in court.

Comments

[Norb Stracker]

Here's a video that deals with Bush's (Illegal) Wiretapping. http://www.wiretappingman.com

[moncler coats]

These will be interspersed in small groups and single crystals amongst each other. Their colour and peculiar form of crystallization, will distinguish

[moncler Jackets]

Florence flask; holding it slanting, that the pbosphonu may not break theglass. Pour upon it a gill and a half of water, and place the whole over a tea-kettle lamp

[beats by dr dre]

I cause to be burned with fire.And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.

[coach online outlet]

but as many as will not harden their hearts, shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness

[beats by dr dre]

I cause to be burned with fire.And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.

[coach online outlet]

but as many as will not harden their hearts, shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness

[coach online outlet]

Wherefore let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence

[moncler outlet]

for when these gentry are closely pressed, as to the substance of their knowledge, they will talk of Henry the Fourth of France being contemporary with Henry the Fowler of Germany

[belstaff]

the universality of their reception; or, as Aulus Gellius expresses it, "tacito et illiterate hominum consensu et moribus expressum.

[coach outlets]

This species of law, besides its prevalence in Lycia, India, and other countries, influenced the conduct of the Druids and primitive British

[ray ban sunglasses]

and Continental Saxons: and this the observation of Caesar amply proves, "Leges sola memoria. et usu retinebant.

[ray ban outlet]

If you think he will come, I shall think so too; for you know Knsrombe.''Yes—I have some right to that knowledge; though I have never been at the place in my life.

[burberry outlet]

I am sorry there should be any thing like doubt in the case/ replied Emma; 'but am disposed to side with you, Mr. Weston.

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

She is an odd woman! But I never allow myself to speak ill of her, on Frank's account: for I do believe her to be very fond of him.

[christian louboutin discount]

Yes; and every delay makes one more apprehensive of other delays. Even if this family, the Braithwaites, are put off, I am still afraid that some excuse may be found for disappointing us.

[beats by dre outlet]

I am sorry for it. The introduction must be unpleasant, whenever it takes place; and the sooner it could be over the better.''

[ray ban sale]

I cannot bear to imagine any reluctance on his side; but I am sure there is a great wish on the Churchills to keep him to themselves. There is jealousy.

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

If he likes it.''One ought to be at Enscombe, and know the ways of the family, before one decides upon what he can do,' replied Mrs. Weston.

[toryburch outlet]

5 Always remember the profitability of you business depends on the way truck service and repair is executed.

[tory burch outlet]

7I have nothing to offer but blood, boil, tears and sweat.