December 19, 2003
It's been a great week for Americans, and, no, this has nothing to do with Saddam
This week, fans of rational and democratically-protected civil liberties had many reasons to rejoice (or at least, wait with bated breath until the inevitable appeals process begins) as federal courts issued three striking rejoinders to Big, Bad, and Powerful Interestsnotably, King George and the RIAA. Seriously, try smiling, just this once. Because, realistically, we all know it will be frown season again when November 2004 rolls around. 1. Court: Gitmo suspects need lawyers In another legal setback for the Bush administration, a federal appeals court has concluded terrorist suspects held in secret U.S. custody on foreign soil deserve access to lawyers and the American legal system. 2. Court Rules Bush Cannot Hold Padilla As "Enemy Combatant" In New York, a divided court ruled that President Bush lacked the authority to indefinitely detain Jose Padilla - a U.S. citizen - simply by declaring him "an enemy combatant." 3. Record Industry May Not Subpoena Online Providers The recording industry cannot compel an Internet service provider to give up the names of customers who trade music online without judicial review, a federal appeals court in Washington ruled today.
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