Judge Rules Against the U.S. in Patriot Act Case

[im10ashus]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:07 p.m. ET

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- A federal judge lifted a gag order Friday that shielded the identity of librarians who received an FBI demand for records about library patrons under the Patriot Act.

U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall ruled in favor of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued that the gag order prevented their client from participating in a debate over whether Congress should reauthorize the Patriot Act.

''It's fabulous,'' said ACLU Associate Legal Director Ann Beeson. ''Clearly the judge recognized it was profoundly undemocratic to gag a librarian from participating in the Patriot Act debate.''

<snip>

''The government may intend the non-disclosure provision to serve some purpose other than the suppression of speech,'' Hall wrote. ''Nevertheless, it has the practical effect of silencing individuals with a constitutionally protected interest in speech and whose voices are particularly important in an ongoing national debate about the intrusion of governmental authority into individual lives.''

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Patriot-Act-Records.html?hp&ex=1126324800&en=8b3bbdba7648dc64&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Jawja]

1. Ok. Constitution

wins one and loses one (Padilla case).

[hang a left]

4. Was just thinking that.

We know this case gets appealed. I hope the Padilla case does also. At least we will KNOW for sure where we all stand.

[me b zola]

2. So the Judiciary isn't dead yet

OTOH, bush* is going to be ramming through his SC nominations.

[im10ashus]

6. Let's hope there are still some who recognize the law of the land.

The great thing about the Constitution is that it can be widely interpreted. But one thing is for certain. We STILL have the our freedom of speech. Try as they might to take even that away from us.

[WiseButAngrySara]

3. "profoundly undemocratic" and profoundly IRONIC! Is this extremely

significant? I've not been following...It's good, regardless!

[AlamoDemoc]

5. The ACLU has been doing a remarkable work since 9/11

They deserve our full support

[im10ashus]

7. Proud to say I am a card-carrying member.

:-)

[AlamoDemoc]

8. Me too....I've been a member since 2000

:thumbsup:

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. This is an important win. Nominated.