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In more than a dozen classified rulings, the nation’s surveillance court has created a secret body of law giving the National Security Agency the power to amass vast collections of data on Americans while pursuing not only terrorism suspects, but also people possibly involved in nuclear proliferation, espionage and cyberattacks, officials say.
Originally posted by introV
First thread ever! Not sure if it's been posted. If it already has, I apologize.
In more than a dozen classified rulings, the nation’s surveillance court has created a secret body of law giving the National Security Agency the power to amass vast collections of data on Americans while pursuing not only terrorism suspects, but also people possibly involved in nuclear proliferation, espionage and cyberattacks, officials say.
www.nytimes.com...
It's funny how they are now admitting they take all data like it's yesterday's news. Now they are focused on broadening the scope of who gets targeted, it seems.
Yikes.
Terrorists, Hackers, and Spies, OH MY!edit on 7-7-2013 by introV because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by Rockerchic4God
Sickening!!! The very idea of any kind of "secret court" is completely in violation of the
constitution IMHO.
The New World Order takeover is complete. We have a completely lawless government and no one can or will stop them.
To use its surveillance powers -- tapping phones or reading e-mails -- the federal government must ask permission of the court set up by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. A FISA judge can deny the request or force the government to limit the scope of its investigation. It’s the only plausible check in the system. Whether it actually checks government surveillance power or acts as a rubber stamp is up to whichever FISA judge presides that day.
The 11 FISA judges, chosen from throughout the federal bench for seven-year terms, are all appointed by the chief justice. In fact, every FISA judge currently serving was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who will continue making such appointments until he retires or dies. FISA judges don’t need confirmation -- by Congress or anyone else.
Originally posted by GrantedBail
reply to post by introV
Nice, Intro. I was just going to post this story and found you .
And here is something just as interesting:
Chief Justice Roberts Is Awesome Power Behind FISA Court
To use its surveillance powers -- tapping phones or reading e-mails -- the federal government must ask permission of the court set up by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. A FISA judge can deny the request or force the government to limit the scope of its investigation. It’s the only plausible check in the system. Whether it actually checks government surveillance power or acts as a rubber stamp is up to whichever FISA judge presides that day.
The 11 FISA judges, chosen from throughout the federal bench for seven-year terms, are all appointed by the chief justice. In fact, every FISA judge currently serving was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who will continue making such appointments until he retires or dies. FISA judges don’t need confirmation -- by Congress or anyone else.
Man, I read something a week or so ago that talked about how the FISA court judges had all been compromised in one way or another, that is how they "qualified" for their appointments. I am gonna go look and see if I can find that.
Originally posted by justwokeup
The only reason you need a Secret Supreme Court is if you plan on using the power of the state against the interests of the people and you need trappings of legality to get people to participate.
Fundamental rulings redrawing the relationship between state and individual in favour of the state cannot be made in secret. If they are you are living in a tyranny, you just don't see it yet.
This is why confidence in politics and in the state itself is at an all time low. Why participate in the theatre when the real power is wielded in the dark by people with unaccountable agendas.
Originally posted by GrantedBail
reply to post by superannoyingreality
I have read a couple of books about J Edgar. I am well aware of his "filing system" as well as his surveillance of political figures. I know how he used to get down by writing to these politicians with veiled threats.
The technology is so much more advanced. The surveillance that is taking place now would make Hoover cream himself.
I can't stand that guy. He was such a punk.
Originally posted by DeadSeraph
reply to post by introV
...and nobody will do a damned thing about it until we're all wearing jumpsuits behind a razor wire fence. Then we'll just reminisce about the good ol' days.
Originally posted by superannoyingreality
Originally posted by justwokeup
The only reason you need a Secret Supreme Court is if you plan on using the power of the state against the interests of the people and you need trappings of legality to get people to participate.
Fundamental rulings redrawing the relationship between state and individual in favour of the state cannot be made in secret. If they are you are living in a tyranny, you just don't see it yet.
This is why confidence in politics and in the state itself is at an all time low. Why participate in the theatre when the real power is wielded in the dark by people with unaccountable agendas.
First: It's not a "secret Supreme Court".
Second: The court was created NOT to give people new power - the executive used the power BEFORE the court - the court was created to LIMIT power. A quick perusal of a history book would explain it all to you, but in plain terms, you KNOW about the court and it's decisions. If it didn't exist, the same things WOULD be happening, without any oversight, and you wouldn't know.
Originally posted by xuenchen
reply to post by GrantedBail
Interesting how all the FISA Judges are appointed by the CJ.
Many people don't know that.
I think the whole FISA law was signed into law by Carter in 1978.
Senator Ted Kennedy was the one who introduced the bill.
FISA has been around a long time.