Federal Judge Rules Bush Program Illegally Wiretapped Americans

[Rage Inc.]

Source: Huffington Post

SAN FRANCISCO — In a repudiation of the Bush administration's now-defunct terrorist surveillance effort, a federal judge ruled Wednesday that government investigators illegally wiretapped the phone conversations of an Islamic charity and two American lawyers without a search warrant.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker said the plaintiffs provided enough evidence to show "they were subjected to warrantless electronic surveillance" by the National Security Agency. The judge's 45-page ruling focused narrowly on the case involving the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, touching vaguely on the larger question of the program's legality.

Nonetheless, Al-Haramain lawyer Jon Eisenberg said the ruling had larger implications. "By virtue of finding what the Bush administration did to our clients was illegal, he found that the Terrorist Surveillance Program was unlawful," Eisenberg said.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/31/alharamain-islamic-founda_n_520548.html

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B-B-But John Ashcroft s-said it was o-k-k-k-ay!

[old mark]

1. The first of many Bush regime programs that will be found illegal.

I am sure we haven't scratched the surface yet.

mark

[kas125]

2. Okay, it was illegal. We knew that already, but now it's

official. When will we see them in handcuffs?

[Rage Inc.]

3. Most likely? The day after the National Hockey League awards

a franchise to Hell!

[Bluebear]

4. But it's time to "move forward" and "heal".

:eyes:

[Rage Inc.]

5. Correction

Time to move, fuck words, and bring BushCo to heel!

[aquart]

6. Until the next John Yoo justifies it.

[Rage Inc.]

7. John WHO?

Were there any real justice in this country, that would already be his name!

[Supersedeas]

33. Yep, according to Yoo, ANYTHING the Pres does in a time of war is justified

Despite the precedent of Youngstown

[zbdent]

8. was expecting this to be an April Fool's joke ...

but the original news story was dated 3/31 ...

[Hubert Flottz]

9. There you go again...

DON'T LOOK BACK!

[NecklyTyler]

10. Paging Eric Holder, Paging Eric Holder ...

I want to see some Grand Jury indictments. Once the Attorney General is on track to convict one of the Bush inner circle, the implication of accomplices will eventually send the all to jail. We have got to get that first conviction though

[salguine]

11. And not a goddamn thing will be done about it. Especially by this Administration.

[Lost4words]

26. I am afraid you are correct, Bush and his admin get a free pass

laws and consequence are for the little people.

[katandmoon]

28. Actually, Obama's DOJ did plenty already . It took exactly the same position Bush's DOJ did.

Obama's DOJ is just as criminal as Buah's was.

[WVRICK13]

12. We Now Have Legal Proof

what are they going to do about it?

[whatacountry09]

13. yeah... and?????

It's okay; found to be ILLEGAL, but hey... let's just forget about it. He was the president... therefore, like all government officials... he IS above the law; it's not like we're gonna prosecute him or anything because then... we'd have to prosecute our current president too - AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING!

So... not really a story here. We knew this already and we also know that nothing ever comes of these allegations anyway.

[UpInArms]

14. since this isn't about sex in the oval office, the media will ignore it

and, that sex must be performed by a politician with a D after their name.

[ixion]

15. So are we going to hold BushCo accountable?

doubtful. :(

[Lost4words]

29. are you kidding? Management protects its own, always.

Bush and Barak Obama are members of a very special club, we are not allowed to join.

[ixion]

34. Yeah, I was kidding...

I agree with you. They're members of a club we'd never be allowed to join.

[grahamhgreen]

16. Looking forward... To Bush crimes prosecution......!

[Lost4words]

30. Dont hold your breath.... nt

[Soylent Brice]

17. so, can we prosecute now? n/t

[SlingBlade]

18. now-defunct ? Wanna Bet ?

[potone]

19. I understand all this cynicism, but this is still good news!

[RedstDem]

20. Wonder how long the judge had to think that over

[anachro1]

21. And we

already knew this.

[Chef Eric]

22. But, but... At least Bush is not a SOCIALIST. That's the most important thing. nt

:sarcasm:

[Botany]

23. Once again; the NSA did the spying and the Justice Department was the

.... the muscle w/ the U.S. Attorneys as the hit men.

The wiretapping was never about fighting or stopping terrorists because
the first wiretaps went in in Feb. or March 2001 in San Francisco w/ the
help of ATT.

BTW nobody will be held accountable for anything.

[defendandprotect]

36. True... wiretapping begun by Bush as soon as he walked into Oval Office . . .!!!

[jeremyfive]

24. So Bush Is Due For a Good Long Stretch in the Pen?

Wonder how well that anti-bacterial lotion will work for him in the big house?

[raouldukelives]

25. Just one more thing for the Texas textbooks to omit

[placton]

27. THIS IS OBAMA'S PROGRAM TOO

his administration took over defending this crap. Just sayin'

[Lost4words]

32. President Obama is afraid of George W Bush, what other reason could there be?

I cant imagine any other reason why we would not focus on past high level crimes against our nation. We cannot say we are a nation of laws when we let presidents start phony wars for profit.

[louis-t]

31. Correction, Ashcroft said torture was OK. He wasn't

too happy about the wiretapping. I think that's one of the reasons he stepped down in '84. So he's only half an ass. Or half-assed.

[defendandprotect]

35. And, where's the military? TORTURE was barred by military law, as well . . .

Where's the ABA to suspend or revoke licenses of those who tortured the law,

bent and distorted it in order to torture?

[melm00se]

37. and by a Bush I

appointee too.

[doctorspa]

38. Obama just keeps doing the same thing

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123638765474658467.html
Obama just keeps doing the same thing that the bush administration was doing

[Lil Missy]

39. No. Shit.

[Uncle Joe]

40. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Rage Inc.:thumbsup: