Litigation

NY Times Cites Continuing Surveillance Threat

By Charlie Hall

The  New York Times has published an editorial saying the U.S. government’s eavesdropping program continues to be too aggressive, and urged revisions in laws allowing anti-terrorism surveillance of U.S. citizens. Its conclusion:

We do not believe that Mr. Obama is deliberately violating Americans? rights as Mr. Bush did, and it is to his credit that the government acknowledged part of the problem in April. But this nation?s civil liberties are not predicated on trusting individuals to wield their powers honorably. They are founded on laws.

The 2008 expansion of FISA is a deeply flawed law. Congress needs to repeal it and re-examine, carefully this time, what powers the government really needs to eavesdrop on Americans and what limits and safeguards need to be placed on those powers.

To learn more about issues relating to the the fight against terrorism and the U.S. court system, see Justice at Stake’s publication, “Courting Danger.” You can also see these earlier Gavel Grab postings.

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 18, 2009 (boomark / email).