The National Security Letters portion of the Patriot Act came under attack today by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, who ruled the practice unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero in New York ruled that the landmark anti-terrorism law violates the First Amendment and the Constitution’s separation of powers provisions because it effectively prohibits recipients of the FBI letters (NSLs) from revealing their existence and does not provide adequate judicial oversight of the process.
Just goes to show you who the ACLU is fighting. They are fighting the wrong enemy. It isn’t Bush, as articulated by the ACLU’s executive director. . .
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a plaintiff identified only as John Doe, an Internet service provider prohibited under the law from publicly revealing the receipt of an NSL.
Anthony D. Romero, the ACLU’s executive director, said the ruling “is yet another setback in the Bush administration’s strategy in the war on terror and demonstrates the far-reaching efforts of this administration to use powers that are clearly unconstitutional.”
Can’t wait to hear the presidential wannabes comment on this one.
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