Bush administration asks court to end domestic spying challenge

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-29/117026426461990.xml&storylist=cleveland

1/31/2007, 4:27 p.m. ET
By DAN SEWELL
The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bush administration urged a federal appellate court Wednesday to throw out the case against its domestic spying program.

The government says the anti-terrorism surveillance now is overseen by a secret independent federal court. It also rejects a federal district judge's ruling last year that the warrantless program was unconstitutional.

"In the wake of recent events, this case has become moot," Gregory Garre, the principal deputy U.S. solicitor general, told a three-judge panel. He also said that the district court judge's order was fundamentally flawed.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed suit a year ago, said the Bush administration might return to surveillance outside the secret court's oversight...



Chronology of lawsuit against Bush program

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1170261581267990.xml&storylist=cleveland

1/31/2007, 11:34 a.m. ET
By The Associated Press
The Associated Press

(AP) — ...

Jan. 17, 2006 — ACLU suit filed in Detroit seeks to end the National Security Agency eavesdropping program, saying it is illegal, after a New York Times report the previous month disclosed its existence. The program was secretly authorized by President Bush soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Aug. 17, 2006 — U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor orders the program ended, saying it violates constitutional rights to privacy and freedom of speech and the separation of powers.

Oct. 4, 2006 — A three-judge 6th Circuit panel says the government can continue the program while it appeals.

Jan. 17, 2007 — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the surveillance is now being conducted subject to approval of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, established by a 1978 law...

[sinkingfeeling]

1. If this stands up and the court throws out the suit, then every convicted

criminal in the country should argue, "Let me out, I'm not committing any crimes this week".

[EVDebs]

2. By now the info is overseas in the Bahamas w/ Global Information Group LLC

Bahamas Firm Screens Personal Data To Assess Risk
Operation Avoids U.S. Privacy Rules

By Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 16, 2004; Page A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36853-2004Oct15.html

but they'll say, domestic spying ? what domestic spying ?

And the CIA is now moving its domestic spying operations to Denver CO area...site of the '08 Democratic Convention...meet ya there !