White House asks for dismissal of NSA wiretap suit

[cal04]

The Bush administration on Monday asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the National Security Agency's domestic eavesdropping program, arguing that defending the four-year-old wiretapping program in open court would risk national security.

In arguments before U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit, the American Civil Liberties Union on Monday renewed its call for a court order that would force the government to suspend its program of intercepting without a court order the international phone calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens.

But the U.S. Justice Department has asked federal judges in Detroit and New York to throw out the landmark challenges to the eavesdropping program.

(snip)
"If the court accepts the state-secret argument, we are truly facing a constitutional crisis in this country," Michael Steinberg, legal director for ACLU Michigan, told reporters after the hearing.

http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-10T181054Z_01_N10353096_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-EAVESDROPPING.xml

[Robb]

1. Please, lord, deliver us a judge...

...who just once, says "That's what you always say!" and lets this go forward.

[Lowell]

2. It looks like a real fight is brewing between the branches

of government. It is about time there was a definition between them. After 5 years of the congress being in lock step with the executive branch and running roughshod over anyone in their way it is refreshing to see justice stand up for itself. But Bush will do just like his hero Andrew Jackson did and simply ignore and not fund any of the decisions passed by the Supremes.

[napi21]

3. THAT'S CRAP! The judge in the Libby case is reviewing all the

info, and simply retaining the secrecy on docs or info that is "secret" or a security risk. Those judges could do the same thing!

I gotta tell ya, if I ever get into legal trouble, I'M going to use that excuse! "Judge, please dismiss the case, because making my info public would be a security risk to ME!!!!!!"

[onehandle]

4. Waaaaah! We can't take the heat! Waaaaah!

And these are the pussies who are defending our country.

Sheesh!

[Double T]

5. 'WE' already have a constitutional crisis.........

that grows larger with each day this administration remains in office.

[gratuitous]

6. King's X -- National Security!

Thus endeth another attempt by the citizenry to find out what its elected officials are up to.

Okay, the court hasn't ruled yet, but saying the words "national security" usually means the judge has to dismiss the suit. It's like that episode of "Newsradio" where the maintenance guy Joe was in court, and had some hare-brained conspiracy theory idea that by saying the secret word, the judge had to dismiss the suit and then go to some secret judge's meeting where they paddle each other. Dave, the station manager, is less than convinced. Then the trial happens, Joe is totally inept, and the judge is about to find against him, when Joe says the secret word. The judge immediately dismisses the case, bangs the gavel, reaches under the bench for a big wooden paddle, and stalks out of the courtroom.

Anyone know if Judge Taylor has a big wooden paddle?

[sutz12]

7. Funny, it didn't work for Clinton. nt

[Vidar]

11. Clinton didn't buy the other two branches of government.

[Skink]

8. why don't they just by the judge and have him set a precedent ....

for them.

[Ringo84]

9. Tough Luck

The American people don't want their government spying on them. Since Emperor Dubya can't seem to get a clue about that, we'll take it up with the courts.

Some "state secrets" are too important to keep.
Ringo

[Sherman A1]

10. Basic legal maneuver

Shot in the dark stuff, but never hurts to ask and see what might happen.

[ShockediSay]

12. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF can do no wrong in time of war

Richard M. Nixon