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Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

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Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#302
“Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

... and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

This document matters. It’s a fucking miracle it even exists — still.

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lol, of course nobody will be disciplined

Cynicism aside, I genuinely don't understand how the legal system works where an action may be found illegal - with no actual penalties despite organizations and persons having committed that action.

There are usually no legal penalties for acts by government agencies found to be illegal, but done in good faith.

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#305

“Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” ... and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This document matters. It’s a fucking miracle it even exists — still.

This ruling is much more likely to be related to the 4th Amendment search and seizure clause or the 14th Amendment Due Process clause.

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#306

This question is meant in good faith, not to be facetious but out of a genuine lack of understanding: now what? If this action was ruled illegal, then someone in the chain of command ordered this illegal action - in other words did something illegal. Is the individual who ordered the illegal action going to be disciplined? Is anyone?

The statute of limitations has expired for prosecuting the person responsible.

https://sensenbrenner.house.gov/2018/3/james-clapper-not-cha...

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#307
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

objectively your post is false. the US has a flawed democracy, but a democracy nonetheless: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index consider the rest of the countries in that list

That index seems flawed. The methodology is not transparent. The Economist is not going to accuse its own ownership of oligarchy.

In what way do you feel it's flawed? Based on what you know of the methodology, what would you change?

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#309

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pardon my ignorance. How can Congress grant immunity from the Judiciary? I thought that was only a power that resided in the Executive?

A federal court issues the actual order to appear, after 2/3 of a committee or a majority of the house or senate votes to compel a witness to attend. The witness cannot plead the fifth but they also cannot be prosecuted for anything they say. And yes 2/3 of a committee is a small number of people.

Usually the deal is supposed to be void if they turn out to have lied or concealed relevant information.

Re: Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal

#310

This question is meant in good faith, not to be facetious but out of a genuine lack of understanding: now what? If this action was ruled illegal, then someone in the chain of command ordered this illegal action - in other words did something illegal. Is the individual who ordered the illegal action going to be disciplined? Is anyone?

I wonder if a class action lawsuit can target the government? If not punishment, perhaps we could hope for remuneration?
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