Today in Supreme Court History: December 27

Socialist Workers Party v. Attorney General of the United States, 419 U.S. 1314 (decided December 27, 1974): Marshall denies stay of Circuit Court order; as a result FBI agents are allowed to attend/monitor SWP’s national youth convention; Marshall notes that convention was open to the public, agents would not be disruptive, and if agents were excluded “the potential injury to the FBI’s continuing investigative efforts would be apparent” (unclear what they were investigating) (I wonder how that changed the tone of the convention, with everyone knowing FBI agents were present?)

P.S. Some of the “radicals” at my undergrad college flattered themselves by thinking the FBI was in our midst.  If that was really true, it would have been a waste of taxpayer dollars. We were no threat to anything, let alone national security.  We were just a harmless, disorganized bunch of idiots.  Half of us couldn’t even spell.

My friend (we called him “Rasta John”) was absolutely convinced.  Supposedly one could tell a wiretap by a “click” on the phone line.  I would be casually talking to him on some mundane matter, and then I would tap my pen against the receiver.  “Did you hear that??!”  “No.  Anyway . . . “  And then I tapped my pen again.  He went stark raving nuts.  With some people, it’s almost as if you’re being dared.