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Gaaark writes:
"The First Amendment has been upheld in the United States!
Dan McCall has been making T-shirts and mugs that parody the National Security Agency as "the only part of government that actually listens" for over a decade. In 2011, he got a cease-and-desist letter from the NSA and from the Department of Homeland Security. Last October, McCall filed a lawsuit saying his shirts and mugs parodied the government agency and were therefore protected by the First Amendment.
'Citizens shouldn't have to worry whether criticizing government agencies will get them in trouble or not,' said Public Citizen's Paul Levy, who filed the suit on McCall's behalf. 'This settlement proves the First Amendment is there to protect citizens' rights to free speech.'
Now, the NSA has admitted: McCall is right ."
(Score: 5, Insightful) by BsAtHome on Thursday February 20 2014, @08:14AM
The government, agencies and the courts missed an opportunity to enforce their illegal acts using doubtful decisions and hidden agendas. There may be a glitch in the system. /sarcasm
However, the producer of the parody may very well find himself in the situation that his life will be tracked to excruciating detail to the extent that they "know where to get him" in the coming period of awakening.
It does show that you need to go to court to (re-)establish your constitutional rights. That _is_ a sad thing.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Hyper on Thursday February 20 2014, @08:33AM
At least you can still go to a court to have constitutional rights confirmed.
In many countries he would be sitting in a deep dark dank deserted dungeon cell. No doubt the NSA have an oubliette waiting for him for when he crosses the law and gives them an excuse.
(Score: 5, Informative) by Deflagro on Thursday February 20 2014, @02:41PM
This is true. All you need is a suspicion of terrorism and you can be held indefinitely without trial or any need for evidence. Go Patriot Act!
(Score: 5, Insightful) by number6x on Thursday February 20 2014, @10:53AM
That is sad.
Whenever a politician mentions our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day and notes how they 'died for our freedom', I always ask "Then why are you, figuratively, pissing on their graves by destroying those freedoms?".
(Score: 5, Interesting) by mcgrew on Thursday February 20 2014, @10:54AM
I'm surprised a civil rights suit wasn't filed. Does a civil rights suit only have to do with race? This guy's rights were violated and he almost certainly lost some sales. Just reimbursing him for legal fees seems pretty damned unjust.
And I'd like to see someone from the NSA in prison for it. Actually, I'd like to see James Clapper in prison.
Free Nobots! [mcgrewbooks.com]
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 20 2014, @02:32PM
No shit, people who abuse power almost ALWAYS get away with it in the US (the country I'm most familiar with). Why the Hell didn't the judge sanction the lawyers and report them to the bar? Why isn't anyone held accountable? I mean other than the poor guy who made the joke, which clearly can't be tolerated. But hey at least he got $500 for years of trauma and lifelong tracking and scrutiny by the FBI, NSA, IRS, etc.