Former judge admits flaws with secret FISA court

[Ichingcarpenter]

A former federal judge who served on a secret court overseeing the National Security Agency's secret surveillance programs denied Tuesday that the judges act as "rubber stamps." But James Robertson said the system is flawed because of its failure to allow legal adversaries to question the government's actions.

"Anyone who has been a judge will tell you a judge needs to hear both sides of a case," Robertson, a former federal district judge based in Washington who served on the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, said during a hearing of the federal oversight board directed by President Barack Obama to scrutinize government spying.

Robertson questioned whether the secret FISA court should play the role of providing legal approval for the surveillance programs, saying the court "has turned into something like an administrative agency."


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57592836/former-judge-admits-flaws-with-secret-fisa-court/

[SamKnause]

1. Court ???

The number one flaw is that it is a SECRET COURT !!!!!!

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. That writes secret rulings which become law

for a secret court.

But I'm glad to see one of them admitting its a least flawed. Its a step which will
bring about change to the abomination of justice.

[magellan]

3. The article doesn't mention that Robertson resigned from the FISA court in 2005

...without explanation, but it was taken as a protest against Bush**'s warrantless wiretapping. So he is a man of integrity. Of the current situation (from the article):

Robertson said Tuesday that FISA court judges have been scrupulous in pushing back at times against the government, repeatedly sending back flawed warrants. But he warned that Congress' 2008 reform of the FISA system expanded the government's authority by forcing the court to approve entire surveillance systems, not just surveillance warrants, as it previously handled. Robertson said the system needed the presence of a legal adversary to act as a check on the government's programs.

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. He sounds like a good judge thanks for

giving the story more detail.

[magellan]

7. Thanks for sharing it! n/t

[idwiyo]

5. K&R

[Yo_Mama]

6. I simply cannot comprehend anyone

Who thinks the current system is acceptable.

My opinion on Snowden has gradually become more and more favorable. Whatever else one may say, his action appears to have begun the process of public scrutiny of what we have become, and it is far past the time for that.

[Enthusiast]

8. Yup............nt