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questionseverything

(11,848 posts)
30. the aclu's newest law suit says
Thu Jul 18, 2013, 12:21 PM
Jul 2013

The First Amendment guarantees the public a qualified right of access to those opinions, because judicial opinions interpreting constitutional and statutory limits on governmental authorities— including those relevant to foreign-intelligence surveillance—have always been available for inspection by the public and because their release is so manifestly fundamental in a democracy committed to the rule of law.

The government’s contrary view—that legal opinions of an Article III court controlling the constitutional rights of millions of Americans may forever be denied to the public, even if any legitimate interest in secrecy has expired or can be accommodated—is wrong. Indeed, if the government succeeds in depriving the public of the tools necessary to understand the laws passed by its elected officials, it will have eroded the foundations of our democracy. The government’s theory affects more than the public’s right to this Court’s opinions; its reasoning would likewise deny the public a right of access to the opinions of courts sitting in review of those opinions, whether issued by the Court of Review or even the Supreme Court of the United States. That result would defeat democratic oversight and undermine public confidence in our legal institutions.

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so no one knows everything yet

supporting the aclu is one way we can fight back

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Great post, Jackpine, thanks. Scuba Jul 2013 #1
I doubt it's a game changer Shivering Jemmy Jul 2013 #2
We'll see. The debate has certainly shone a light on our moral compasses. chimpymustgo Jul 2013 #3
Our government should not be acquring this information no matter what. JDPriestly Jul 2013 #13
I completely agree. k&r n/t Laelth Jul 2013 #4
Love your sig line. Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #5
Thanks. I haven't changed it since the Summer of 2009. Laelth Jul 2013 #11
And I love yours too bread_and_roses Jul 2013 #14
Elegantly stated. think4yourself Jul 2013 #6
Q&A Time in Congress = Finally marions ghost Jul 2013 #10
In an indirect way, that's what really disturbs me.... Blue_Tires Jul 2013 #7
The NSA apparatus was built marions ghost Jul 2013 #20
I'd contend all of congress knew about it and is trying to cover their asses Blue_Tires Jul 2013 #23
At a higher level, it doesn't really matter Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #24
I think they knew too Go Vols Jul 2013 #29
the aclu's newest law suit says questionseverything Jul 2013 #30
Yes but how much did they really know? marions ghost Jul 2013 #26
HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT Jul 2013 #8
Agree. nt navarth Jul 2013 #9
And, if it can bring renewed attention to other reports about massive suveillance KoKo Jul 2013 #12
The issue is Snowdenballing. Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #15
Secret Courts allow us to... whttevrr Jul 2013 #16
"Ever hear of that?" Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #17
CRAP!! whttevrr Jul 2013 #18
I hear Nossink Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #21
Yes. nt freedom fighter jh Jul 2013 #19
Good post, Jackpine! K&R Fantastic Anarchist Jul 2013 #22
DURec leftstreet Jul 2013 #25
Well, blogs and talking heads are talking some about it but baronjake Jul 2013 #27
Here's the problem, ProSense Jul 2013 #28
Lol. n/t ronnie624 Jul 2013 #32
Lol! Th1onein Jul 2013 #33
Great post! deurbano Jul 2013 #31
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»In a major way, it doesn'...»Reply #30