Federal judge finds NSA phone spying likely unconstitutional

This looks like it is the first case to make it through the system on this issue. I'd expect more will make it through in the coming year.

The big question is still whether this will stand up to appeal and whether it will be able to make any difference.

The judge kinda whimped out by making the ruling narrow, but it does set precedent so that is good and will make it easier for other suits.

The main opposition is from the far right and far left of the US political spectrum. Strange bedfellows.

It honestly feels like we are at cross-roads, either we get government spying under control or we slip into a post constitutional society.

Quote from: littleman on December 18, 2013, 07:20:22 AM
It honestly feels like we are at cross-roads, either we get government spying under control or we slip into a post constitutional society.

I remember watching the movie 1984 (the 1950's version with Edmund O'Brian) as a kid and that movie seriously creeped me out.

>> far right and far left of the US political spectrum. Strange bedfellows.

Actually, I notice this a lot. People at the ends of the spectrum tend to reason from first principles. That means they are willing to support unpopular causes because it goes to root beliefs. And both sides, though having different views of it, have a strong beliefs about protecting personal liberty and privacy. On issues like this, the civil liberties bias of the left and the libertarian bias of the right line up perfectly.

The key is building a big enough coalition in the middle to actually do something about it.