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A "Twist" On NSA Wiretapping and the Supreme Court

If you doubt that Alice in Wonderland is the best primer available for understanding the legal system, you might read Tony Mauro's latest piece in the Legal Times. The Supreme Court just denied certiorari in the case challenging the government's warrantless wiretapping program, meaning that though it didn't make a decision as to the merits of the case, it couldn't muster four judges who wanted to consider the legal questions. As a result, according to the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, you cannot bring a lawsuit to redress unconstitutional government eavesdropping on your phone conversations if you cannot prove that they listened in on you. But of course, you cannot prove they listened in because the evidence that would support your case is secret! It's a complete circle!

Actually, Alice in Wonderland isn't the only piece of fiction that sheds light on the legal system. Charles Dickens likewise hit the nail on the head in Oliver Twist: "The law is a ass, a idiot." But there's reason behind this judicial and executive branch madness -- to keep We the People ignorant of what's being done to us in the name of "protecting" us. With more protection like this, our democracy will be undone.

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1 Comments

  • jerry said:

    Joseph Heller too.

    February 20, 2008 6:33 PM

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