The PATRIOT Act Is Unconstitutional
Posted by MEC on September 26, 2007
In a lawsuit brought by attorney Brandon Mayfield, who had been wrongly linked by the FBI to the Madrid train bombings in 2004, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken has ruled that two provisions in the USA-PATRIOT Act violate the Constitution.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, as amended by the Patriot Act, “now permits the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment.”
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“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,” she wrote.
By asking her to dismiss Mayfield’s lawsuit, the judge said, the U.S. attorney general’s office was “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.”
3 Responses to “The PATRIOT Act Is Unconstitutional”
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Phoenix Woman said
Yup. And this follows the dope slap the Bushies got earlier this month when another judge ixnayed the whole “National Security Letter” crapola.
Eli said
It’s all well and good, but as long as the Supremes have the final word, I just can’t get all that excited.
whig said
Remember, Brandon Mayfield was tortured.