One element of the "right of privacy" debate I've seen is the distinction between a "right _of_ privacy" and a "right _to_ privacy". Linguistically, "right _of_ privacy" == "privacy right", indicating that this particular right would be enumerated somewhere. In the case of a "right _to_ privacy", the concept is a bit more vague and allows the penumbral (implied) construction given by Stanton. Since there is no specific mention of a "right _of_ privacy" in the Consititution, one must fall back on the implied construction and interpret Constitutional privacy as defined by other amendments. What this construction of the "right _to_ privacy" allows is for appellate courts to weight enumerated rights as more important than implied rights. Thus, in the name of furthering the goals of another amendment (say #6, speedy/public trial), the courts can limit the implied "right _to_ privacy". Best regards, Curtis D. Frye cfrye@ciis.mitre.org "If you think I speak for MITRE, I'll tell you how much they pay me and make you feel foolish."