Quote of the day

"In place of the Fourth Amendment, the people are expected to defer to the Executive Branch and its representation that it will authorize such surveillance only when appropriate. The defendant here is asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. This court declines to do so.

"For over 200 years, this Nation has adhered to the rule of law - with unparalleled success. A shift to a Nation based on extra-constitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill advised." - Federal District Judge Ann Aiken, striking down provisions of the Patriot Act which revised FISA to eliminate the probable cause standard for issuing warrants (h/t Ed Brayton)