Judge scolds U.S. Justice Department over warrantless wiretapping records

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON: A U.S. judge scolded the Bush administration Wednesday for responding with sometimes blanket secrecy to a request for documents on its warrantless wiretapping program.

Privacy groups and civil rights organizations sued the Justice Department last year, demanding it release documents under the Freedom of Information Act. The government refused to release most of the records, arguing that such a move could jeopardize national security and undermine terrorism investigations.

But U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that reasoning is not good enough.

"While the court is certainly sensitive to the government's need to protect classified information and its deliberative processes, essentially declaring 'because we say so' is an inadequate" defense, Kennedy wrote.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/05/america/NA-GEN-US-Domestic-Spying-Records.php

[Kagemusha]

1. Says who, a mere judge?

A district judge is nothing to these people.

[dickbearton]

9. It's time every decent law abiding citizen, top to bottom ...

stand up to these criminals in the White House. That is the
only way to restore America. Actum non verbum.

[kestrel91316]

2. Judge Kennedy had best hire himself a good bodyguard and stay

out of small airplanes. This is not gonna sit well with our fascist dictatorship.

[superkia]

5. Thats exactly what I thought when I read this too!

[Amonester]

16. Don't worry... The R-w junta's fascist lawyers will find a way to...

"communicate" with this Judge and "suggest" that he should think about "spending more time with his family" if he doesn't wanna "lose" them.

And that will be the end of it.

[truthisfreedom]

3. Imagine if bushco is cut off from their wiretaps on Democratic candidates next year.

They'll be totally screwn.

[underpants]

4. Exactly-that is what this is all about

If this had ever really been about terrorism they would have told the courts and Congress that and everyone would basically give them a pass. No this is clearly spying on their "opposition" as well as spying on members of their own party to keep them in line. How else could they possibly not have one serious defection in all that time (save for Hagel, sort of)?

[KansDem]

15. A high-tech version of George Will's "Debate-gate?"

Remember this oldie?

Will looked at the Carter briefing materials and then helped coach Reagan for a crucial debate with Carter. Promptly after the debate, Will went on "Nightline" to praise Reagan for a "thoroughbred performance." Viewers had no way to know of Will's involvement in prepping Reagan for the debate.

For years, Will was able to cover up the deception. But in mid-1983, the "Debategate" story finally broke, and he took some flak.

At first, Newsweek merely mentioned in passing that Will had been shown the stolen briefing book "and thought nothing of it." A week later, devoting several sentences to the intrigue of its star columnist, the magazine reported that he "saw the Carter materials" and later helped to prepare Reagan "for his confrontation with Carter. Then, in his role as television commentator, Will gave Reagan a favorable review for his performance -- without explaining that he had personally taken part in the event."

During the summer of 1983, various media pillars rumbled with disapproval. As Newsweek observed, "some of Will's fellow journalists have heatedly criticized his partisan role. Jack Nelson, Washington bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, called it 'outrageous.'"

The New Republic declared Will to be "the one person who has been most embarrassed by Debategate" and faulted him for two aspects of his behavior: "Appearing on ABC's 'Nightline' the night of the debate, Mr. Will was one of the commentators who awarded the 'victory' to Mr. Reagan; he posed as a referee without ever making it clear that he had been one of the seconds." In addition, the columnist "knew about the purloined briefing books" but kept the knowledge to himself. "Mr. Will said nothing about this on 'Nightline'; nor did he write about it."

--more--
Common Dreams

But I imagine the Bushistas' wiretapping goes far beyond simply leaning the debate strategy of their opponents...

[L. Coyote]

12. The GOP has never needed a judge's permission to spy on DEMS. Think about it!

Imagine Meese, Nixon and Halderman in secret deliberations:

Meese: "We need to spy on the Dems, HR, and I mean all of them and right now."

Nixon: "And their rich f**king Jewish contributors too!"

Halderman: "Which judge can we go to to get permission?"

Right! :rofl:

[Baby Snooks]

6. It means nothing...

This administration could care less what a federal judge has to say since it controls the Justice Department and will continue to control the Justice Department as long as the Dynamic Duo of Pelosi and Reid control the Congress. Just wait and see how fast the new Attorney General sails right on through without so much as a word of concern on their part about anything. They would approve of Jack the Ripper. Oh, maybe they will offer a "well, it could have been worse" as an afterthought to appease the angry masses - "could have been worse" seems to sum up their excuse for quite a bit of what has sailed right on through the Democratic Congress except that absolutely nothing could be worse than this administration. It's like an Everready Bunny of Evil. With brand new batteries supplied by the Democrats.

Impeach, impeach, impeach. Before it is too late.

[peacetheonlyway]

7. ditto, well said

nothing more need be said.

i'm starting to hate pelosi as much as I hate the fox news anchors.... that's saying something.

[bluerum]

8. Shaking my head in shame. If scolding is the best we got - we are in

some deep bush-shit.

Someone (more than one actually) needs to go to prison.

Scolding.

Oh. My. effin. gawd.

Paper tigers.

Toothless cowards.

Helpless pussies.

[Seabiscuit]

11. This was no mere scolding.

This was a gratuitous comment by a judge in *ordering* the government to produce a list of documents it claims are privileged, indicating *for each document* WHY it claims each is privileged.

[bluerum]

17. And when they don't? More scolding? They should have been held in

contempt months ago.

I sense additional scolding on the horizon.

Good thing these judges are in for life. I can't imagine putting "vigorously scolded DOJ for trashing the constitution" on my resume.

[Seabiscuit]

18. You're confusing Congressional powers with judicial powers.

Contempt of Congress is a Congressional power.

Contempt of court only occurs after a court order is violated. The judge just issued this order. The administration hasn't had time to violate it yet.

[Seabiscuit]

10. Judge Kennedy just made the "no fly list" along with 45K other Americans.

Be prepared for the airport enema treatment, Judge Kennedy.

[lovuian]

13. "scolds" He told them their reasons Sucked

glad to see the judges get it

[YDogg]

14. bush administration responds: "nanny, nanny, boo-boo."