Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!emory!rsiatl!jgd
From: jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. DeArmond)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: CNN
Message-ID: <4948@rsiatl.UUCP>
Date: 17 Nov 90 08:09:24 GMT
References: <1990Nov16.235831.25433@agate.berkeley.edu>
Organization: Rapid Deployment Systems, Inc. (making go fast things and things go fast)
Lines: 35

larry@belch.Berkeley.EDU (Larry Foard) writes:

>It looks like the recent disregard for the constitution is spreading, 
>according to CNN the FBI took materials without even bothering with a 
>search warrant. Fortunitly this time they are picking on some one who
>can defend themselfs. 


Defend themselves?  Considering that according to the papers, CNN 
originally stole these tapes from the government, and that the FBI's
retrieving them from an abandoned motel room (again, according to the
paper) was simply a matter of recovering stolen property, it appears to
me that the FBI is acting quite properly.   As to the question of a 
warrent, even if the FBI is lying and the guy was in the room, I believe
the law has a right to stop a crime in progress.  And possesion of
stolen goods is a crime.  


The whole thing appears to revolve around the fact that Teddy-boy got
miffed that the US went into Panama without his permission and has been
trying to sabotage the whole thing since.  Maybe since the tapes are back
under control of the court, Noriega can stand trial and have some chance
of it being fair.  Besides, his revelations might just be very
interesting and court is about the only way we'll find out about them.  

Looks to me like we need to give the FBI credit where credit is due,
lest we lose our own credibility.

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC        | "Purveyors of Performance Products 
Rapid Deployment System, Inc. |  to the Trade " (tm)
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