Monday, August 21, 2006

Patriot of the Month

For those of you eagerly awaiting PT's pick for Patriot of the Month, I have good news: you don't have to wait til the end of the month. This month's patriot wasn't hard to find. She blasted onto the scene with her court ruling last week. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Judge Anna Diggs Taylor...

Bush blasts court ruling on surveillance
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
Fri Aug 18

President Bush on Friday criticized a federal court ruling that said his warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional, declaring that opponents "do not understand the nature of the world in which we live."

"I strongly disagree with that decision, strongly disagree," Bush said, striking his finger on a podium to underscore his point. "That's why I instructed the Justice Department to appeal immediately, and I believe our appeals will be upheld."

U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit on Thursday was the first to find the National Security Agency surveillance program unconstitutional. The program involves monitoring international phone calls and e-mails to and from the United States involving people with suspected ties to terrorists.

Critics say the surveillance program skirts the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which requires court warrants for domestic eavesdropping. The administration has argued that obtaining warrants from a secret court set up under FISA is a time-consuming process unsuited for the government's fast-moving war on terror.

The judge said the government, in defending the program, appeared to be saying the president had the "inherent power" to violate laws of Congress.

"It was never the intent of the framers to give the president such unfettered control," Taylor wrote in a 43-page opinion. "... There are no hereditary Kings in America and no powers not created by the Constitution. So all 'inherent powers' must derive from that Constitution."

I shouldn't have to give out an award for someone in government doing their job, but these days it's such a rare occurrence, that I feel compelled to do so. Please click on Judge Taylor's picture for a brief biography.

17 Comments:

At August 21, 2006 6:15 AM, Blogger Dada said...

Thanks for highlighting Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, pt! I didn't know there was anyone like that left in government. Oh, wait, I see she's elderly. Probably the last one, huh? Well, when she steps down or dies, it'll be just a little more mortar in Bush's power seizure. Then maybe he won't get his blood pressure all in a knot with no one to spank his ass publicly, huh?

Chant: "Toga, toga, toga!"

 
At August 21, 2006 1:02 PM, Blogger azgoddess said...

i like the coment - that she is the first to slap baby bush on the wrist for abusing the consitution!!!

hopefully there will be many more that follow!!

great award!!

 
At August 21, 2006 7:04 PM, Blogger Lew Scannon said...

If only the Democrats in Congress had the temerity to stand up to Bush like this-but I'm dreaming.

 
At August 21, 2006 7:32 PM, Blogger PTCruiser said...

Yes, you are dreaming, Lew. Welcome to my nightmare.

 
At August 21, 2006 8:09 PM, Blogger Rex Kramer, Danger Seeker said...

Damn Michigan legislating-from-the-bench federal judges! Who do they think they are? The law?

 
At August 21, 2006 9:47 PM, Blogger Mark Prime (tpm/Confession Zero) said...

Anna Diggs Taylor! Who does she think she is indeed! Hmmmpphhh... Let the spin and debunk and swifting begin of Judge Taylor! Bring `em on...

 
At August 22, 2006 2:59 AM, Blogger Michael Bains said...

..Who do they think they are? The Law?

ROFL!

1/3 of it, anyhow.

PTC, and company of course, are you in for September 1? That's a link my own blog, cuz I posted instructions for folks who are as technically challenged as me. They've been tested!

BTW, I thought you had Kvatch's Kontest won, man! Stiff competition, eh...

 
At August 22, 2006 5:37 AM, Blogger PTCruiser said...

Michael Bains, your simian presence is more than welcome here. I am in for Sept. 1st. I learned about it from Peacechick Mary. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions on how to make it happen.

Yes, the competition was fierce over at the lily pad. I thought the case of scotch I promised him would've been enough to secure my victory. Damn that Lew Scannon and his ability to write.

 
At August 22, 2006 12:20 PM, Blogger pissed off patricia said...

They came out of the gate attacking her. Said her writing is all wrong. Said her decision will be over ruled.

I wish we had a million just like her!

You're right, it's sad we see a hero in someone who is reading the constitution and pointing out what it says.

 
At August 22, 2006 3:28 PM, Blogger Rory Shock said...

another reminder of why we can't afford any more bush ... the more judges he appoints the deeper shit we are in for more years ... right on judge taylor for givin' bushco the big bird of justice ... right up the wahzool ... hopefully there will be a glimmer of hope when the whole thing gets to the supremes and w won;t have had the opportunity to appoint yet another frickin' fascist step 'n' fetchit like alito ....

 
At August 22, 2006 5:45 PM, Blogger teh l4m3 said...

Brace for the usual round of pissing and moaning about "activist judges"...

 
At August 24, 2006 2:18 AM, Blogger sumo said...

Thanks for that information...it makes me proud to be a woman. She's earned every star she's gotten over the years.

 
At August 24, 2006 11:33 AM, Blogger enigma4ever said...

POP...we do have a million just like her...they are right here...

 
At August 25, 2006 2:37 PM, Blogger Donnie McDaniel said...

What a woman!!

 
At August 25, 2006 3:58 PM, Blogger mdhatter said...

another example of why tenure is good.

 
At August 26, 2006 11:13 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

She's a cunt. She just granted the enemy some freedom.

 
At August 27, 2006 8:50 AM, Blogger PTCruiser said...

anonymous,

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? And if that's the best argument you can present against the woman, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh will be very disappointed in you. You need to go ask Mommy if you can turn the television back on so you can watch more fair and balanced programming. That way, you'll catch all of the talking points. OK?

 

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