Reading List 10 December 2004

We already know about "Secret laws", now the US government can go into secret courts to obtain permission to surveil "lone wolf" terrorists. This new provision comes to us via the Intelligence Reform bill that we were told was so critical it needed to be passed this week. Most likely, it would have been given much more scrutiny had the vote been held until the new Congress comes in next month. In addition to lowering 4th amendment protections more than ever before, the bill also makes it easier for the government to deny bail in terrorism investigations.

On the other hand, it looks like a new 9-member board will now be in position to determine whether or not too much information is being kept confidential in the name of national security.

As the leftward march of the Canadian secularist left continues, the Canadian supreme court has now determined that gay marriage is "consistent" with their Constitution.