Comments on: This week in tech and politics

A federal judge ruled that the warrantless Internet and telephone surveillance program authorized by the Bush administration violates the U.S. Constitution and must cease immediately.

[sonnystarks]

Bank surveillance? Two way mirrors illegal?

So I ask you... is warrantless bank surveillance illegal? No one walking in the bank is "probable cause" in that act itself. What about street cameras at intersections? Is each driver required to be issued a warrant before recording their actions? This foolish decision can be carried to the nth degree. Tap my phone anytime, NSA. Check out my library records and feel free to solicit my bank records. Anyone with nothing to hide... has nothing to hide.

[fire1fl]

Aaaaah...the Mommy Argument

that anyone should be able to check on your behavior because you're 100% moral and legal. But that isn't what the constitution says. Rights not exercised are rights denied. Whether I'm doing anything "wrong" or not, the government does not have the right to invade my privacy, absent probable cause.
I've been asked, as part of an ordinary traffic stop, whether the officer could search my car. The answer is "no" -even though there is nothing illegal therein. Always resist giving the right to snoop without PC or warrant to the government, lest it encourage the fascist police state we claim not to want (or have).

[fafafooey]

Poor reporting

The NSA program must not "cease immediately". The decision was stayed on appeal, so it continues. And this Demokook judge's decision will be thrown out by the 6th Circuit because it is flawed in many ways, one being that the plaintiffs have no standing and the original case should not have even been heard.