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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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US Judge Boots Warrantless Wiretap Cases Vs. Telecoms

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(AP) – A federal judge has tossed out more than three dozen lawsuits filed against the nation's telecommunications companies for allegedly taking part in the government's email and telephone eavesdropping program that was done without court approval. The dismissals were widely expected after Congress in July agreed on new surveillance rules that include immunity from lawsuits for telecommunications companies that allegedly helped the US spy on Americans.

A US District judge today upheld the constitutionality of the new surveillance rules and dismissed the lawsuits. But the judge did allow the losing attorneys a chance to revise their lawsuits to include new allegations, if any, that aren't covered by the immunity rules.

Federal court in Paducah, Ky.
Federal court in Paducah, Ky.   (AP Photo)
Former President Bush.
Former President Bush.   (AP Photo)
A Verizon lineman works on a telephone pole.
A Verizon lineman works on a telephone pole.   (AP Photo)
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7 comments
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ksu92
Jun 3, 09 2:36 PM CDT
Gutless betrayers of our rights to privacy. Apparently they had their fingers crossed when taking the oath of office. 'In order to defend democracy, we must destroy it.' Reply
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+2
Reader64481089
Jun 3, 09 2:45 PM CDT
Rights? What rights. Oh you mean the Bill of Rights. Heck, we got rid of that "g d piece of paper" (quotes GW) didn't we? Bill of rights?? We don't need no stinkin righs....Oh sorry, was delusional thinking rights of Americans meant anything any longer Reply
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+3
TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 3, 09 2:54 PM CDT
It's the immunity rules that are unconstitutional... The treasonous act of shoving aside guaranteed rights of basic personal privacy needs to be struck down and never be allowed again. Reply
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+4
psycada
Jun 3, 09 3:11 PM CDT
Last I checked, warrant-less wiretaps are prevented by the Bill of Rights (I know, I know, its just a piece of paper......) I also understand through my studies of prohibition, only an additional amendment can override any parts of prior amendments, and absolutely no law enacted by congress overrules the bill of rights. Under this argument, the immunity clause is illegal, thus null and void and not admissible as an argument in a US court of Law. Anyone with common sense can see this although judges continue to deny this fact, yet can't provide adequate logic to justify it. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Jun 3, 09 6:04 PM CDT
The judges cannot strike down the immunity law until it is challenged in a separate case.
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+2

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