Federal judge slams Patriot Act
Feds push for new, zestier Fourth Amendment
Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
A federal judge today struck down provisions of the Patriot Act as unconstitutional, adding fuel to the politically charged debate over the controversial law.
US District Judge Ann Aiken slammed Patriot Act amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for eviscerating the Fourth Amendment to the American Constitution. The Fourth Amendment protects against unwarranted government searches, and can only be modified by further constitutional amendment.
Judge Ann Aiken ruled that FISA "permits the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment".
"For over 200 years, this nation has adhered to the rule of law — with unparalleled success. A shift to a nation based on extra-constitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill-advised."
The case was brought by Brandon Mayfield, a Portland attorney whose life was turned upside down by the feds after he was mistakenly fingered by the FBI for involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Mayfield settled for $2m, but retained the right to challenge the Patriot Act in court.
Judge Aiken dismissed the government's arguments with extreme prejudice, accusing the US attorney general's office of "asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. This court declines to do so".
Mayfield accused the FBI of violating the 4th Amendment by conducting warrantless searches of his home and office. We suspect certain Orwellian elements on the American right have always wanted to do away with that particular inconvenient part of the Constitution. Terrorism paranoia has provided the perfect storm of hysteria needed to wash away such ancient and fundamental rights as habeas corpus, or the right against self-incrimination - the Patriot Act assault on the Fourth Amendment is only part of a broader effort.
The Cheney Administration has an insatiable hard-on for this particular brand of proto-totalitarianism, and will no doubt appeal the ruling. ®
Burke Hansen, attorney at large, heads a San Francisco law office
COMMENTS
and
this is the government and country trying to teach freedoms and rights to other countries.
ever heard stones ....... glass houses
patch your own holes before ifngering others'
Re: Have you forgotten...
"the Supreme Court is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the White House these days." I wouldn't count on this. One of the drawbacks to appointing conservative leaning folks is their tendency to adhere to the constitution literally. I believe this will eventually bite the Bush administration in the backside. Or, at least, I can hope so...
Cheney Administration
Notice the author said "Cheney Administration." Always knew Dumbo the elephant was nothing more than a puppet.
"Look in the mirrors, folks. You have the government you deserve." Uh, I for one kinda resent that. I did not vote for the current monarchy; not either time. I have spent the past 7 years fighting every move he's made. It's the rest of the population that deserves the mess we're in. Well, okay, not everyone - I know there are other people out there who have their eyes wide open - and their heads on their shoulders, not up their asses. Of course, the rest of it is true - Give them their football, their remote, their Survivor, and their health insurance, and their cushy arm chair, and they couldn't care less if the rest of us go to hell in a handbasket. If it doesn't touch them, or affect their retirement plan, then it goes right over their head and under their feet. But when it finally does, they are the ones who scream the loudest. And when they hear about this, they will probably sarcastically say, "Oh, and you'd rather let the terrorists get away and blow up another skyscraper?"
It'll be interesting to see how long this judge has her job under the current regime. Or if they manage to get rid of her, too.
IT infrastructure monitoring strategies
Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
Steps to Take Before Choosing a Business Continuity Partner
Enabling efficient data center monitoring
Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider
