response 247 of 404:

Jan 18 02:41 UTC 2006

Open letter released today from the President of the American Civil 
Liberties Union"

"For over eighty-five years the ACLU and its members have been there to 
stand up for freedom when our leaders disregard and defy the 
Constitution. 

We follow in that tradition today with the filing of ACLU v. NSA, a 
lawsuit seeking an end to the secret program of illegal electronic 
surveillance, authorized by President Bush. 

Our lawsuit claims that this spying program violates Americans' rights 
to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments of the 
Constitution and that the president has exceeded the limits of 
executive authority under separation of powers principles. 

The suit was filed in federal district court in Michigan, on behalf of 
several prominent journalists, scholars, attorneys, and national 
nonprofit organizations (including the ACLU) who frequently communicate 
by phone and email with people in the Middle East. 

Though our president claims he can authorize warrantless spying on 
Americans, this surveillance program is illegal. The ACLU has launched 
an intensive effort to put an end to the program and restore lawfulness 
to government and law enforcement activities. 

In addition to the ACLU v. NSA lawsuit, we've launched a multi-channel 
ad campaign, a widespread call for congressional hearings, and are 
urging the appointment of a special counsel who can independently 
investigate the actions of this administration and prosecute any and 
all crimes committed. 

In the coming days, watch for news about our suit and other continuing 
efforts. Partisans in Washington have already been scrambling to 
undermine inquiries into the NSA scandal, but this lawsuit is grounded 
in our most basic American principles, and not driven by the tides of 
politics or spin. 

Please continue to stand with us. Look for our advertisements in print 
and on the Web. Join our call for a special counsel and urge your 
friends to do the same. Your support has been, and will continue to be, 
fundamental to our success. 

I'm never more proud to lead the ACLU than on days like today when we 
take the bold steps needed to preserve fundamental Constitutional 
principles. Through our actions, we will see that justice prevails. 

Sincerely,

Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director"


The case paperwork and other details are at 

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/

With the ACLU of Michigan as co-plaintiff, I wonder if dave cahill-- 
grex's resident aclu guy-- is involved.

Remember too that GREX was itself once the lead co-plaintiff in an ACLU 
case.  ACLU and Cyberspace Communications v Michigan.