Bush's illegal spying, AT&T, and Specter's crocodile tears

The government is trying to squash EFF's efforts to stop AT&T from illegally participating in the government's illegal domestic spying program.

April 28, 2006

Government Moves to Intervene in AT&T Surveillance Case
DOJ Will Assert Military and State Secrets Privilege and Request Dismissal of Lawsuit

San Francisco - The United States government filed a "Statement of Interest" Friday in the Electronic Frontier Foundation's (EFF's) class-action lawsuit against AT&T, announcing that the government would "assert the military and state secrets privilege" and "intervene to seek dismissal" of the case.

EFF's lawsuit accuses AT&T of collaborating with the National Security Agency in its massive surveillance program. EFF's evidence regarding AT&T's dragnet surveillance of its networks, currently filed under seal, includes a declaration by Mark Klein, a retired AT&T telecommunications technician, and several internal AT&T documents. This evidence was bolstered and explained by the expert opinion of J. Scott Marcus, who served as Senior Advisor for Internet Technology to the Federal Communications Commission from July 2001 until July 2005

Much of the evidence in the case is currently under seal, as AT&T claims public release of the documents would expose trade secrets. A hearing on the issue is scheduled for May 17th.

For the full Statement of Interest:
http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/att/USA_statement_of_interest.pdf

For more on EFF's suit:
http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/att/

Contact:

Rebecca Jeschke
Media Coordinator
Electronic Frontier Foundation
press@eff.org

Meanwhile, Senator Don't- put- Gonzalez- under- oath- and- schedule- Russ- Feingold's- Censure- hearing- on- Friday Specter is wondering why people aren't upset.

Specter Wants More Debate on Spying
"Where is the outrage?" asked Specter, who has chaired hearings that questioned the NSA program's constitutionality.

Duh! People who do know about the illegal spying are upset! The Rubber Stamp Republican Congress of which Specter is a loathsome part has stymied investigations into every criminal activity of the run amok Bush Administration. The Democrats (except Feingold, Harkin, Conyers, and a few others) piss their pants at the thought of leading and influencing public opinion instead of chasing after it once the polls come out.

If Specter wants debate he knows what to do. Call Russ Feingold and arrange real hearings with Bush cronies under oath. The Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 can connect him.

Categories: EFF, AT&T, Bush, illegal, spying, Specter, Feingold