California Lawmakers Cripple NSA w/ 4th Amendment Protection Act

LOS ANGELES | The latest wave of revelations coming whistleblower like Edward Snowden has divided the people from the government like never before. The Administration is losing not just popular support among Americans, but is now facing legal battles.




American courts have traditionally sided with federal agencies when they claim an action is needed in the name of national security. However, privacy advocates are now launching statewide initiatives and votes that could put a damper on surveillance programs. For the first time, privacy advocates are going on the legal offensive against the intelligence community.

The largest potential change could come from California. There, lawmakers have introduced the Fourth Amendment Protection Act. This will forbid the state from supporting widespread domestic spying. This could include shutting off water and electric supplies to federal buildings.

Similar bills have already been introduced in Missouri and Kansas. Privacy advocates in Utah are trying to shut down water supplies leading to a massive computer network run by the NSA.

Michael Boldin is the founder and director of The Tenth Amendment Center. His organization works to keep government powers in check.

Boldin is our guest on the show today. We will talk about domestic spying, the movement of citizens and lawmakers opposed to surveillance, and the future of privacy.