When Justice Rolls Down Like Water

My nominee for this month's Defender of Liberty is none other than U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor. Judge Taylor is my new hero because she declared the National Security Agency's program is unconstitutional because it "violated the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution."

From this point forward, Judge Taylor will be known as the first U.S. judge to defend the American people's right to privacy and against warrantless wiretaps of personal phone calls and e-mail.

It all started with the NSA's program of warrantless wiretaps and listening in on the private phone calls of the American people. Now don't get me wrong, I believe this and any government should and must protect its citizens from so-called terrorist attacks. However, I do not support any government's violation of civil liberties, the Constitution or established law, especially under the guise of protecting the American people from "those who would destroy our democracy."

Although Bush administration officials claim to be "Defenders of Liberty," the truth is this administration continues to threaten our fundamental rights by allowing the NSA to violate the law by using warrantless wiretaps and other forms of illegal surveillance. Truth be told, the very same information and intelligence can be gathered by the NSA if only they would conform with established law. Sadly, some in government believe they are above the law.

Today, justice prevailed and the rights of ordinary citizens are protected, thanks to the courage of Judge Taylor. The words inscribed on the U.S. Supreme Court -- "Equal Justice Under Law" -- has been reaffirmed and for the first time in a long time, I feel our democracy is a little bit safer.