You thought Colbert was tough on the administration? He was a comedian. Get a load of
this guy, sitting on an appeals court:
AP - A U.S. appeals panel sharply challenged the Bush administration Friday over new rules making it easier for police and the FBI to wiretap Internet phone calls. A judge said the government's courtroom arguments were "gobbledygook."
Talk about a "Straight Talk Express!" Wait ... it gets better:
"Your argument makes no sense," U.S. Circuit Judge Harry T. Edwards told the lawyer for the Federal Communications Commission, Jacob Lewis. "When you go back to the office, have a big chuckle. I'm not missing this. This is ridiculous. Counsel!"
The article explains that the case in question revolves around an FCC requirement that web-based phone and broadband services ensure their equipment can "accommodate" police wiretaps. The FCC is arguing that when Congress passed a 1994 law that dealt with wiretapping capabilities for cell phones, lawmakers "intended to cover services that were functionally equivalent" to land lines - and thus broadband services.
To which my new favorite judge replied: "There's nothing to suggest that in the statute. Stating that doesn't make it so."
Go read the story for the ins and outs of the case ... I just wanted to get the judge's refreshing remarks out there. Also note that Janice Rogers Brown is on this panel, and according to AP, didn't say a word.