The government doesn't need to know about my extensive online kitty porn collection!

WASHINGTON — Advocacy groups and some legal experts told Congress on Wednesday that it was unreasonable for federal officials to search the laptops of United States citizens when they re-enter the country from traveling abroad.

Civil rights groups have said certain ethnic groups have been selectively profiled in the searches by Border Patrol agents and customs officials who have the authority to inspect all luggage and cargo brought into the country without obtaining warrants or having probable cause.

Companies whose employees travel overseas have also criticized the inspections, saying that the search of electronic devices could hurt their businesses.

The federal government says the searches are necessary for national security and for legal action against people who bring illegal material into the country...

“But,” [Senator Russ] Feingold [Democrat of Wisconsin] continued, “if you asked them whether the government has a right to open their laptops, read their documents and e-mails, look at their photographs and examine the Web sites they have visited, all without any suspicion of wrongdoing, I think those same Americans would say that the government absolutely has no right to do that.”...

Judge Rules Patriot Act Equivalent to Breaking and Entering

A federal judge today struck down portions of the USA Patriot Act as unconstitutional, ordering the FBI to stop issuing "national security letters" that secretly demand customer information from Internet service providers and other businesses.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero in New York ruled that the landmark anti-terrorism law violates the First Amendment and the Constitution's separation of powers provisions because it effectively prohibits recipients of the FBI letters (NSLs) from revealing their existence and does not provide adequate judicial oversight of the process.

Marrero wrote in his 106-page ruling that Patriot Act provisions related to NSLs are "the legislative equivalent of breaking and entering, with an ominous free pass to the hijacking of constitutional values."

The decision has the potential to eliminate one of the FBI's most widely used investigative tactics. It comes amid widespread concern on Capitol Hill over reported abuses in the way the FBI has used its NSL powers...

But Marrero wrote that "in light of the seriousness of the potential intrusion into the individual's personal affairs and the significant possibility of a chilling effect on speech and association--particularly of expression that is critical of the government or its policies--a compelling need exists to ensure that the use of NSLs is subject to the safeguards of public accountability, checks and balances, and separation of powers that our Constitution prescribes."

He ruled that only some of the NSL provisions were unconstitutional, but found that it was impossible to separate those provisions from other parts of the law. He therefore struck down the FBI's ability to issue NSLs altogether...

Related: Illegal Wiretapping Useless in "War on Terror"

Scaaaaaandalous Republican Senator

A government watchdog group filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Larry Craig Tuesday, after revelations that the Idaho Republican pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from a lewd conduct complaint in Minneapolis.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the Senate ethics committee seeking an investigation into whether Craig violated Senate rules by engaging in disorderly conduct.

Read all the juicy details of what went down in that airport men's bathroom here.

Idaho’s Larry Craig on the issues:

* Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
* Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)

**Thanks PerezHilton.com for the scoop and the photo!

Rumsfeld Resigned Before the Election

Donald Rumsfeld, architect of the unpopular Iraq war, resigned as defense secretary before last year's November election but his decision was not announced until after the voting, according to his resignation letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

If its not already obvious, this is just another instance of George W. Bush's unbound hubris. He doesn't think of the greatest good (even for his own party) but rather how he can save himself and his pride. Some Republicans are none too happy with this news, believing that their party might have kept more seats in congress and kept control of the Senate if Rumsfeld left before the election.

Rumsfeld did not mention the Iraq war in his four-paragraph resignation letter.

Instead, the man who had become the focal point for critics of the Bush administration's management of the war praised the president for his leadership.

"I leave with great respect for you and for the leadership you have provided during a most challenging time for our country. The focus, determination and perseverance you have so consistently provided have been needed and are impressive," Rumsfeld told Bush.

"It is time to conclude my service. As I do, I want you to know that you have my continuing and heartfelt support as you enter the final two years of your presidency," Rumsfeld wrote.

Rumsfeld also praised U.S. troops for their dedication, professionalism, courage and sacrifice.

It's hard to keep track of how many rats have already jumped the sinking Titanic, but I'll give it a shot:

• Colin Powell, Secretary of State (till 2005)
• John W. Snow, Secretary of Treasury (till 2006)
• Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense (till 2006)
• Scott McClellan, White House Press Secretary (till 2006)
• John Ashcroft, Attorney General (till 2005)
• Mike Brown, FEMA Director (till 2005)
• John Bolton, US Representative to the UN (till 2006)
• Karl Rove, Deputy Chief of Staff (till 2007)