Statement from Sen. Bernie Sanders on the recent NSA ruling from Federal Court

[Douglas Carpenter]

Bernie Sanders
Shared publicly - 11:50 AM

Judge Says NSA Spying Likely Unconstitutional:

In a blistering ruling, a federal judge on Monday declared that the wholesale collection of Americans' telephone records by the National Security Agency is likely to violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches. Moreover, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon said, the program probably isn't effective in fighting terrorism. Sen. Bernie Sanders applauded ruling.

“In my view, the NSA is out of control and operating in an unconstitutional manner,” Sanders said. “Today’s ruling is an important first step toward reining in this agency but we must go further. I will be working as hard as I can to pass the strongest legislation possible to end the abuses by the NSA and other intelligence agencies.”

In the important ruling, Judge Leon granted a preliminary injunction in favor of two men who challenged the bulk collection of phone records and said the records should be destroyed. With a government appeal almost certain, the judge stayed enforcement of his decision.

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/judge-says-nsa-spying-likely-unconstitutional

[ljm2002]

1. But but but...

...K L A Y M A N ! ! ! A A R R G H !!! garble garble garble

[Th1onein]

3. It's just so utterly stupid, isn't it?

Someone on OUR side, who fights for the rights of someone on THEIR side is a hero, but not vice versa.

[tblue]

4. It's not the WHO. It's the WHAT.

For me anyway. Or, to quote another DUer:

I Don’t Give a Damn if Jesus, MLK and Gandhi are Cloned and Made President, Vice President and Secretary of State, respectively.

If they are overseeing massive, illegal spying programs and Charlie Manson is somehow able to blow the whistle on those programs, I will still be against the spying.

Just wanted to make that clear.

20score

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. that is EXACTLY how I feel. So a crazy, traitor, liar, leaker helped shutdown this gargantuan

surveillance state - at least what we hope that will be the result - if we do ACTUALLY believe in modern, liberal western democracy

[Th1onein]

10. Absolutely.

There was a guy in my neck of the woods (Galveston County), more than a decade ago, Anthony Griffin (who, incidentally, was black) who worked as an attorney for the ACLU, and the NAACP, and who represented the KKK when the government demanded that they turn over their list of members to them. The NAACP was appalled, that he would represent the KKK, and demanded that he resign.

It's a matter of principle, and although Griffin was black, and an attorney for the NAACP, he knew that it was the right thing to do. He's one of my heroes, because of that. And, anyone, whatever side of the political bridge they are on, that stands on a principle that we share, is also a hero. They stand for MY rights, and they don't care that I am on the other side of the bridge. There is something decent and good in that, whatever the source.

[adirondacker]

2. I'm looking forward to hearing him in the Presidential debates. nt

[neverforget]

5. who knew that Sanders is a Libertarian, Klayman

supporting Senator?

Love Senator Sanders!

[avaistheone1]

6. K&R

[BellaKos]

8. This is good news

And it speaks to the genius of our system, in that the judicial branch was designed to subdue the excesses of the executive and legislative branches. It just takes time.
And I wouldn't bet on Chief Justice Roberts being among those who would strike this decision down when it's presented to the Supremes.

[Wilms]

9. ^

[yodermon]

11. won't matter. Technology has obviated democracy.

fun while it lasted!!

[Savannahmann]

12. I wish I could agree

MORE! Way to go Senator.

[riderinthestorm]

13. K&R nt