[saganite]

Yep, we should just run our requests to monitor terrorists by the local district judge with court reporters in attendance. That's the way to fight terrorism.

[BikerNYC]

No, not at all.

Eavesdropping warrants are obtained ex parte, without the attendance of the target or the media, all the time. But the warrant is obtained through a known court and a known judge.

"Secret courts" have the ring of Stalinism, not the United States.