Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Supremes Pass on Domestic Spying Review


I've been waiting years for the judiciary to confirm or deny President Bush's assertions that his domestic spying actions contravening existing law are truly legal. Yet, the Supreme Court dismissed the case with a single sentence. It passed on reviewing the case's numerous legal points.

The judiciary placed anyone wanting to get a final legal determination in a Catch 22. The only people with status to sue are those harmed by the government's actions. Since those actions are secret, no one really knows if they've been spied upon. Thus, no one can sue, at least until a whistle blower releases some names.

The LA Times had this to say about the legal arguments in the case:

In October, the ACLU asked the Supreme Court to take up their appeal and to rule that the Constitution does not give the president the power to ignore the laws. Administration lawyers said the disputed program is being revised in Congress, and they urged the justices to defer any decision on how it works. The case ended quietly today when the justices issued a one-line order turning down the case of ACLU vs. NSA.

So as long as someone is revising their actions that contradict existing law, the court will dismiss the case? Next time I get a ticket for speeding, I'll try the Bush defense. How quickly do you think I'll be found guilty? My bet is pretty fast.