Please check out this story by Ben Swann about how U.S. District Court Judge William Pauley rejected the ACLU’s lawsuit accusing the NSA of violating the 4th Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. To be honest, I am a bit disappointed; I try to look for the humanity remaining in those who occupy high level government positions. One of those was U.S. Circuit Court Judge Leon, who less than two weeks prior had ruled that the NSA’s Prism program of indiscriminate data collection was unlawful.
Judge William Pauley III
Hearing this prior ruling was a bit of a relief to me as surely no reasonable person could possibly decide what the NSA is doing is legal. Even if one wanted to argue that this massive spying program is, in fact, keeping Americans safe (or whatever), that is entirely different from it being legal. A federal judge denying the illegality of this program would most certainly signify that there is NOTHING the government can do that won’t receive the approval of the judicial branch.
As Swann states, Pauley gave no legal or Constitutional reason for his decision. He argues on the NSA’s behalf that they will not abuse this information and that 9/11 justifies such spying. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, SCOTUS has ruled that the federal government can force us to buy health insurance because of the taxing power, can steal medical marijuana where it is legal under state law under the interstate commerce clause (even though it is not interstate and not being sold), and that not participating in interstate commerce affects interstate commerce and therefore can be regulated.
The answer for Americans (at least those who aren’t yet ready to expatriate), might just be nullification, and eventually secession.
Just a reminder that Nomad Capitalist is hosting an event in Las Vegas this month where one can learn how to protect their wealth from increasingly despotic western governments. Please come and meet me there!
Anarcho-Buddy! 