At the beginning of this year the state ruled that telecommunications companies can’t be sued for participating in warrantless wiretaps. Needless to say the decision was appealed to the Supreme Court who, not surprisingly, upheld the ruling:
WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court let stand Tuesday an immunity law on wiretapping viewed by government as a useful anti-terror tool but criticized by rights activists as a flagrant abuse of executive power.
The top US court declined to review a December 2011 appeals court decision that rejected a lawsuit against AT&T for helping the National Security Agency monitor its customers’ phone calls and Internet traffic.
It’s not surprising to see the state protecting its cronies. If you’re providing a service that allows the state to ignore the declared rights of individuals you’re all but guaranteed some amount of state protection (so long as you’re useful). Telecommunication companies not only receive protection from the state for participating in warrantless wiretaps but they also make a great deal of money off of wiretaps.
For those of you who still believe the Constitution is the be all and end all for fighting tyranny I must ask you a question: do you like the fact that nine assholes in robes get to, according to the Constitution, determine your rights?