Constitutional Questions Show in AIPAC Case

[kpete]

Constitutional Questions Show in AIPAC Case By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 24, 6:25 PM ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A federal judge on Friday questioned the constitutionality of a law under which two former lobbyists with a pro- Israel group have been charged with receiving and disclosing national defense information.


U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said the law, enacted by Congress during World War I, may be unconstitutionally broad and vague, especially given its potential impact on First Amendment rights.

Ellis questioned prosecutors about the law during a pretrial hearing for Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman, two former lobbyists with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who each face felony trials next month.

Defense lawyers argued that the charges against their clients should be dismissed because of the law's defects. In particular, they say the law's prohibition on receiving and disclosing "national defense information," even information that is unclassified, is far too broad and vague.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060324/ap_on_re_us/pentagon_spy_probe

[TomInTib]

1. Wonder if NYT or NBC can use that defense?

Screw AIPAC.

So, who's in control here? Disregard what Israel PM Ariel Sharon allegedly told Shimon Peres, his Minister of Foreign Affairs, a month after the 9-11 attack -- "I want to tell you something very clear, don't worry about American pressure on Israel," Sharon said. "We, the Jewish people control America, and the Americans know it."

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_600.shtml

[radio4progressives]

2. k&r

I haven't been following this case very closely.. i'm glad you posted it.

[BuyingThyme]

3. Yes, what's the big deal about traitors and spies who wish to

destroy our country to the benefit of Israel's business leaders?

Move along, people.