Snowden interview 05.28.14

[lc_nab]

I simply cannot fathom on how he threatened national security... I remember him stating that there was no way possible to go through the proper channels, his proper channels were deep in the program, I am sure if he tried to, he would had been locked in some dark hole, like many before him.

So far of what we know, he exposed our gov on how they are spying and collecting data on US, not the enemy, but on US. No secrets were sold, no names were given out, granted he made it harder for our gov to make face to other countries and policy making, but other than that...

Sure we all have our point of views, but telling us that our gov is breaking the constitution that many gave their lives for it and may still do, I do not see it as a national security breach, he did it for the people...

More research has to be done.

And I am not so sure on the " his actions won't lead to a damn thing" They already have, don't you see our top politicians sweating bullets, every time he comes out to talk ?

If it was that bad, they would had him killed, long time ago...

Just my 2 cents.

[blacklabel]

And I am not so sure on the " his actions won't lead to a damn thing" They already have, don't you see our top politicians sweating bullets, every time he comes out to talk ?

You, as well as Hound, make great points on the change that he's caused. I was looking at the full picture when I stated that. The change that I'd like to see is the deconstruction of the surveillance state but it's also the change that I don't see happening.

[KestrelBike]

Jesus. I'll color code it for you guys.

LOL thank you for the laugh. (I haven't made up my mind about Snowden, I find it extremely discouraging that I really can't trust any source of news out there on him. My instinct, however, is to agree with you).

[tmckay2]

snowmen should have stayed and faced the music. it not only gives him significant credence, but it allows it to stay in the spotlight as there would be a lot of people pissed if he doesn't get a fair trial or is jus thrown in jail or whatever. thats a true hero. does what is right regardless of the consequences. to tuck tail and go to our enemies? you can't help but expect that to raise some eye brows about motives. did russia and china open their doors out of the goodness of their hearts? i kind of doubt it.

did the founding fathers oppose the crown then tuck tail and skirt off to some distant land? no. they said do your worst.

[jerrymrc]

I am not at liberty to express my views but I do understand both sides. I will ask that the gang keep it civil when dealing with a polarizing subject as this.

Thank you,

The staff.

[jhood001]

snowmen should have stayed and faced the music. it not only gives him significant credence, but it allows it to stay in the spotlight as there would be a lot of people pissed if he doesn't get a fair trial or is jus thrown in jail or whatever. thats a true hero. does what is right regardless of the consequences. to tuck tail and go to our enemies? you can't help but expect that to raise some eye brows about motives. did russia and china open their doors out of the goodness of their hearts? i kind of doubt it.

did the founding fathers oppose the crown then tuck tail and skirt off to some distant land? no. they said do your worst.

That is one way to look at it.

It might also be possible that he didn't want to be a short blip on the 24 hour news cycle. The type of news that flares and burns out and is long forgotten when the next big thing is hitting - regardless of how important it was.

Now, over the long course of his story, he is becoming a household name. I think he wants to return to the US and I think he might do it. And if and when he does, the weeks of pundits trying to tell us what exactly he was (patriot or traitor) will have passed and the real facts will be out. If he is, in fact a patriot, it will be difficult for our government to mistreat him once public opinion is properly and fully formed.

I'm still undecided as to what he is or isn't. But I do believe that anything that is against our personal rights, no matter how effective of a tool it is against our enemies, is wrong. And anyone who brings it to light regardless of the 'channels', is a friend of mine.

[Rooskibar03]

I beleive during the interview he discussed how he did "go through the proper channels" and was politely told the STHU.

[KestrelBike]

So nobody can comment in more than a few words why he isn't a hero?
I would like to hear that side of it.

Besides the *derp* "he's a traitor" line, the most concrete negative reason that I have heard is that he seriously damaged the intelligence gathering techniques or something like that. I think this was in reference to the international communications dragnet, and if so: duh. How could any of those jihadists possibly believe that they could ever securely communicate with cell/satellite methods?

But I do believe that anything that is against our personal rights, no matter how effective of a tool it is against our enemies, is wrong. And anyone who brings it to light regardless of the 'channels', is a friend of mine.

Agreed.

[crashdown]

snowmen should have stayed and faced the music. it not only gives him significant credence, but it allows it to stay in the spotlight as there would be a lot of people pissed if he doesn't get a fair trial or is jus thrown in jail or whatever. thats a true hero. does what is right regardless of the consequences. to tuck tail and go to our enemies? you can't help but expect that to raise some eye brows about motives. did russia and china open their doors out of the goodness of their hearts? i kind of doubt it.

did the founding fathers oppose the crown then tuck tail and skirt off to some distant land? no. they said do your worst.

He made it very clear why he couldn't of stayed and "faced the music" in the interview last night.
Pretty hard to win a case if all of your evidence is classified and can not be discussed in any court.

[Hound]

I'm still undecided as to what he is or isn't. But I do believe that anything that is against our personal rights, no matter how effective of a tool it is against our enemies, is wrong. And anyone who brings it to light regardless of the 'channels', is a friend of mine.

This is where it comes out. I have worked as, for and with those in these areas of concern. Many are still friends. The vast majority of them are hard working, decent, law abiding, Constitution loving people. Many in the NSA and other 3 letter groups took it very personal that 911 happened on their watch. They would do ANYTHING to turn back the clock but they can't and they know it. The problem is not with the general agencies, it is with the leadership that does not understand that the ends do not always justify the means as this is how tyrannies start..... on a road of the best intentions. When the secret being protected is only secret to protect a wrong doing it is the oath of every member of the Government that takes it to protect us from our enemies foreign and domestic. This is what happened during Deep Throat (which was ANOTHER channel that was attempted here... only to fail) and Nixon that setup many of the rules that were trampled by what Snowden brought out. Was DeepThroat a traitor or patriot?

What do you do when the group you are with is doing something against the people you are trying to protect and all the paths are closed?

BTW: Snowden has also been calling out Putin. Like him or not the guy has balls of steel. It will be a major miracle if he hits his next decade BDay.

I don't so much support Snowden as condemn the actions of those above him. In the end they created him.