In Secret, Court Vastly Broadens Powers of N.S.A. (almost a parallel Supreme Court)

nytimes ^

[chessplayer]

The 11-member Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, known as the FISA court, was once mostly focused on approving case-by-case wiretapping orders. But since major changes in legislation and greater judicial oversight of intelligence operations were instituted six years ago, it has quietly become ALMOST A PARALLEL SUPREME COURT, serving as the ultimate arbiter on surveillance issues and delivering opinions that will most likely shape intelligence practices for years to come, the officials said.

[chessplayer]

Hang that traitor Snowden! sarc/

[ConorMacNessa]

More than a parallel Supreme Court - more powerful, more sinister - Camera Stellata.



America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Steely Tom]

Remember how the Democrats in congress were constantly making an issue of the FISA court back during the Bush administration?

University librarians lined up to go on the record as refusing to cooperate with the “let us know if anyone is checking out lots of books on bomb making” provision.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I catch hell from my friends for not condemning Snowden. 5-6 years ago I would have. I have absolutely no faith in anything that the government says.

[sickoflibs]

A secret court that rules in secret and only hears the government’s side.
This is why we are not a dictatorship. We have openness and accountability.

[dynachrome]

“Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, known as the FISA court”

I did not know this existed. How many of you reading this knew?

[coloradan]

I’ve known it for something like 5-10 years already. A long time. It started out they could wiretap mafiosi or do “sneak and peek” searches on such people. Now, it would appear, they have decided that their jurisdiction is a wee bit larger.

[dynachrome]

“decided that their jurisdiction is a wee bit larger.”

A wee bit of an understatement, there.

[Ray76]

Maybe we can have a secret court for each of the other Amendments in the Bill of Rights.

Freedom of speech or religion? We’ve a secret court for that.

Second Amendment? We’ve a secret court for that.

All your rights have been revoked. Don’t like it? There’s a secret court for that.

[Antoninus II]

I did not know this existed. How many of you reading this knew?

Wow! Current events not your strong suit??

[little jeremiah]

Another one?

[andyk]

Don’t feel bad. Seems the press doesn’t care.

The FISA judges . well, I can’t say it. They’re part and parcel of the destruction of our way of life. That is to say, their existence and decisions are antithetical to natural law. For those of you in Rio Linda, that means freedom.

[UCANSEE2]

[dagogo redux]

The Court, unbeknownst to the public, has actually been operating under the legal term for a “wee bit,” which is a “smidgeon”.

[UCANSEE2]

We have openness and accountability.

[ConorMacNessa]

I have known of that body for some time. I have appeared before one of the judges of that Court, although not in his capacity as a member of that Court, but sitting as a Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Without going into the gory details of that case, which I cannot due to Rules of Conduct, I will tell you that I would not have my fate resting in that judge's hands.

I perceive no difference between FISA and any other Secret, Unilateral "Court," whether denominated as FISA, Star Chamber, Inquisition, or Tribunal Révolutionnaire.

And I don't buy that one must acquiesce in the erosion of one's God-given rights to maintain "security." In my long lifetime, we have never had "security" - but in my youth we had Freedom. Freedom is all that matters - without it, there is no life, at least for me!



America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[UCANSEE2]

Court is now in session.

[KoRn]

Not to mention, this monstrosity of a “court” is likely nowhere to be found in the Constitution! It’s most likely a rubber stamp for .gov and its intelligence services!

[gotribe]

You need a wider body of friends. I can’t imagine anyone dumb enough to think we need a FISA to fight terrorism.

[Chances Are]

Read. Joseph. Farrell.

CA....