Judge: Patriot Act Challenge Can Proceed

AP ^ | 10/3/6 | JIM IRWIN

[SmithL]

DETROIT -- Nearly three years after hearing arguments in the case, a federal judge has ruled that an American Civil Liberties Union challenge to the constitutionality of the USA Patriot Act may proceed.

The ACLU's clients, including Muslim charities, social services organizations and advocacy groups, have shown they have been harmed by the anti-terrorism law adopted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood said in a 15-page ruling issued Friday.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2003 on behalf of the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor and five other nonprofit groups. The ACLU said its clients had been hurt by the Patriot Act because fear of the law has kept many people from attending religious services and making charitable donations.

It was the first legal challenge to the part of the Patriot Act that let agents obtain such things as library lists and medical information.

The ACLU contended Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which allows the FBI access to any "tangible things" such as books and documents through an order from a secret court, does not require investigators to show probable cause.

The group wants the judge to declare Section 215 unconstitutional, and block the Justice Department from using that part of the Patriot Act.

Hood's ruling had been awaited since a Dec. 3, 2003, hearing at which the government argued the lawsuit should be dismissed.

[SmithL]

It's getting easier to figure out who the anti-Patriots are.

[sgtbono2002]

Working for the terrorists is the same as being one IMO.
There is no doubt ACLU is a terrorist organisation.

[digger48]

Appointed to the Federal Bench in 1994. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, 1993-94; Detroit Recorder's Court Judge, 1989-92; 36th District Court Judge, 1983-89; City of Detroit Law Department, 1977-82. Yale University, B.A., 1974; Columbia University School of Law, J.D.,

[SmithL]

Hon. Denise Page Hood

United States District Court Judge Denise Page Hood was born in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 1952. After attending high school at the Columbus School for Girls, Hood earned a bachelor's degree from Yale College in 1974. She went on to graduate from the Columbia University School of Law in 1977.

In 1982, after working as a lawyer for the city of Detroit Law Department for five years, Hood began her career behind the bench. As a judge, she has served Detroit's 36th District Court, Recorder's Court and Wayne County Circuit Court. Her reputation in the legal community garnered her a nomination to the United States District Court from President Bill Clinton. On June 16, 1994, Hood was officially appointed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In this role, she continues to preside over both criminal and civil cases.

Over the course of her career, Hood has participated in nearly twenty professional organizations. She became the first African American female president of the Detroit Bar Association in 1993 and has also acted as the president of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. In addition, she has contributed her energies to numerous community organizations, and has served as a board member for the Lula Belle Stewart Center, the Cyprian Center and the Interim House. These efforts have earned Hood such honors as the Damon J. Keith Community Spirit Award, the Ebeneezer A.M.E. Church Woman of Distinction Award and the Columbus School for Girls' CSG Alumnae Award. Hood resides in Detroit with her husband, the Reverend Nicholas Hood III, and their two sons, Nathan and Noah.

[ChinaThreat]

The left's insane approach to the muslim fanatics is suicidal. Don't confront the islamofacists overseas. Allow them in the gates, and then empower them to tie our own hands. this is no way to defeat an enemy that has only one goal; complete subjigation of the western world to the Sharia. .

[FlingWingFlyer]

Thanks for the pic. It's easier to understand her dumbass ruling now.

[Mr_Moonlight]

My GOSH !! She looks like Jerry Lewis !!!

[ladyinred]

Why not just put up the white flag and be done with it eh? Let the Muslims rule this country under Islam. The left is going to bring that about one way or another if they get their way. What a bunch of traitors and I can't believe how they just get away with this stuff.

[rocksblues]

Read it, don't believe it.

But then again this comes from a Judge that was put up by Bubba.

Will the Republicans look back and see or still go on and believe that Honest is as Honest does?

[dighton]

“Judge Hood, citing French precedent . . .”

[Mr. Brightside]

She became the first African American female president of the Detroit Bar Association in 1993

If she's African American, maybe I am deserving of a reparations check for slavery. I get more tan than that in the summer.

[Mr. Brightside]

And did you notice that your link listed her as a "lawmaker" in the top title bar?

That's the problem. Too many judges are making law, not interpreting it.

[Mr_Moonlight]

if she's African American, maybe I am deserving of a reparations check for slavery. I get more tan than that in the summer.

Welcome to your friendly politically correct bean counting U.S. Government /'sarc

[KoRn]

When you see a liberal decision like this the only question is; "Carter or Clinton?".

On a side note. Why is it that almost all liberal women are UGLY AS HELL?!?!?!

[Godwin1]

The Muslim Enemy Within, working to undermine anti-terrorist measures and render us vulnerable to another attack. Aided and abetted by liberal lawyers and judges who hate America. God help us.

[soloNYer]

It couldn't have taken the ACLU too long to shop for that judge. All they needed was a stack of photos. No, no, no, no...There's the one!

[Triggerhippie]

Why is it that almost all liberal women are UGLY AS HELL?!?!?!

The Republic will be able to survive "ugly", it's the "feeble-minded" or "traitorous" ones that will spell the doom of western civilization.

[devolve]

[potlatch]

Good post!

[NurdlyPeon]

Thanks for the pic. It's easier to understand her dumbass ruling now.

I just felt like your post needed to be repeated.