It seems the PATRIOT Act has a built-in self-defense mechanism. That, or consciousness:
Patriot Act Suppresses News Of Challenge to Patriot ActThe American Civil Liberties Union disclosed yesterday that it filed a lawsuit three weeks ago challenging the FBI's methods of obtaining many business records, but the group was barred from revealing even the existence of the case until now. ...
"It is remarkable that a gag provision in the Patriot Act kept the public in the dark about the mere fact that a constitutional challenge had been filed in court," Ann Beeson, the ACLU's associate legal director, said in a statement. "President Bush can talk about extending the life of the Patriot Act, but the ACLU is still gagged from discussing details of our challenge to it."
Is there any possible reason why a court challenge to the law is itself a risk to the nation's security? Anyone? No? I didn't think so, either.
(Tip: Mac at go fish.)
Oh, Mithras, that's how it always starts. First you want transparency on court challenges, next you'll want records kept on the use of FISA warrants, then congressional oversite of an out of control executive body, but where will it end? This is the kind of thinking that gave us evil laws like FOIA, and the Community Right To Know act. Next you'll be demanding ever increasing transparency of government actions and allowing them to be held accountable to the citizenry of the country.
Just what kind of country do you think this is? And, just what kind of country do you want to live in? A democratic republic or something?!!
Posted by: rick pietz | April 30, 2004 at 12:12 PM