Edward Snowden – the government contractor-turned-whistleblower whose leaks outed the federal government’s massive Orwellian spy network – says he’s just getting warmed up.
In a web chat posted to The (U.K.) Guardian website this week, Snowden aggressively defended his decision to expose the domestic surveillance program of U.S. President Barack Obama’s National Security Agency (NSA) – and vowed to continue exposing the regime that is now hunting him down.
“All I can say right now is the U.S. government is not going to be able to cover this up by jailing or murdering me,” Snowden wrote. “Truth is coming, and it cannot be stopped.”
Snowden added that he planned to release further details of America’s domestic spying activities, which he referred to as “nakedly, aggressively criminal.”
“Americans’ communications are collected and viewed on a daily basis on the certification of an analyst rather than a warrant,” Snowden said. “They excuse this as ‘incidental’ collection, but at the end of the day, someone at NSA still has the content of your communications.”
Last week, a U.S. Congressman revealed that the NSA was indeed secretly listening to (and preserving) phone conversations without warrants – confirming Snowden’s prior allegations and directly contradicting comments made by Obama in the wake of the scandal.
Snowden is currently at an undisclosed location in Hong Kong – a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. He chose Hong Kong based on its longstanding support for dissidents, although the municipality does have an extradition agreement with the United States.
What do you think of Edward Snowden? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …
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78 comments
“You can’t handle the truth!” vs. “The truth shall set you free!”
“You can’t handle the truth!” vs. “The truth shall set you free!”
This guy like himself a lot. Unfortunately for Mr. Snowden, this no longer about domestic spying. Know he’s talking to the South China Morning Post about surveillance targets in that country.
This guy like himself a lot. Unfortunately for Mr. Snowden, this no longer about domestic spying. Know he’s talking to the South China Morning Post about surveillance targets in that country.
The problem is Obama conducting this invasion of privacy. If a Republican did it, the media would be all over them to stop even the “HINT” of impropriety, no matter how it compromised our security…
Obama could be pulling a NAZI Death Camp Part II scheme to retain his greed and power…and the media would sell it as a fair and understandable perpetuation of Patriotism…
We’re at a serious crisis point, with the VERY Corrupt and VERY Dangerous in power, and the alleged “WATCHDOGS” SUCKING THEM OFF…
I know, dude. Can you imagine if these programs existed during the previous administration? Man, the Fox patriots would be all over them. Snicker.
How long do you think this program has existed? And did you ever hear of, oh I don’t know, warrantless wiretapping?
I know, dude. Can you imagine if these programs existed during the previous administration? Man, the Fox patriots would be all over them. Snicker.
How long do you think this program has existed? And did you ever hear of, oh I don’t know, warrantless wiretapping?
We’ve all watched as you complained about Obama having these powers, not that the powers themselves exist. The truth is that YOU are all over Obama because he isn’t a Republican.
If a Republican did it… I’ll give you two guesses what Dick Cheney’s choice is in the above poll. Or Boehner’s. Or Graham’s.
PRISM was started under George W. Bush. That makes it OK with BigT logic.
It really makes no difference who started it, the liberties current being taken are the responsibility of Obama.
Damn, that’s some ignorant shit, Jay. Cheney says “Thanks!!”
Ignorance is blaming someone that’s no longer in office. The accountability buck should stop, NOW.
The Buck should end were it started. With Congress. Unless the law is changed, you can expect every administration to push this legislation to its limits for fear of being accused of letting terrorists slip through. If Obama had failed to use this program and a major terrorist incident had occurred in the US, you and Big T would have been calling for his head.
There are plenty of other fantastic reasons to call for his head.
Maybe so, but I and I am willing to bet a majority of people in the country are much better off today than the day Bush left office.
Lets see, since Obama has taken office I’ve been forced to close a retail business, lost my job, found a new job but had to take a $25k cut in pay, taxes went up, healthcare costs went up and my wife was just laid off due to the sequester. Does that even remotely resemble someone who’s “much better off” than the day Bush left office?
Federal taxes have been CUT under Obama. And Congress is just as responsible, if not more for the Sequester than Obama.
Both administrations did (and are still doing) this shit. They’re equally guilty.
But one administration has moved on…the other is in power and has been caught RED-HANDED….so let’s jail the corrupt B@$*@*d…don’t you agree????
So was the assassination of Julius Ceaser, to hear you ignorant son of a B!t*h#$ tell it…
The horrible unemployment, high gas prices, murder in Benghazi, Ft. hood shooter still collecting a check, dead economy, Obama-Care Disaster, Higher taxes, $17 Trillion deficit…that’s all Bush’s fault too….ain’t it Dumb@$$…
Deficit is not 17 trillion. Deficit this year is down nearly 32% to approx $850 billion. Dead economy? higher taxes? the Fort Hood thing is aggravating for sure.
Debt and deficit are very different things. Debt is the gov’t’s total debt accumulated over its history- $17 trillion for the US of A. Deficit is one year’s worth of debt, simply money out minus money in.
What’s up with all this blowjob biz? Find you some internet porn and get it over with already…
I was hoping there would be a few gold comedy nuggets in T’s inevitable post. Maybe something saying that Snowden’s real sin was denying the glory of the American Empire and that he will soon, very soon, feel the impact of our unstoppable will.
Sadly, he automatically went for OBAMAOBAMAOBAMADEATHCAMPOBAMA. A real let down. His best work is when he goes full tilt Schopenhauer of Red Bank.
The Ecuadorean Embassy is setting up a cot for him now. Assange needs a playmate. In the end Snowden will pay a harsh price, whatever that may be. I could even speculate that for diplomatic reasons no foreign country would want him. If they did, he would be there now.
The Ecuadorean Embassy is setting up a cot for him now. Assange needs a playmate. In the end Snowden will pay a harsh price, whatever that may be. I could even speculate that for diplomatic reasons no foreign country would want him. If they did, he would be there now.
It’s unfortunate that so many people are believing Edward Snowden so easily. “Sheeple,” indeed. He contacted journalists BEFORE he went to the NSA facility in Hawaii, then allegedly grabbed some slides and heads off to China. Believe what you will, but give the whole thing some thought before making up your mind. Read the 3-part series at http://thewatchlog.com .
The former spy weighs in, perfect.
As a general rule I do not piss in someone else’s cornflakes unless they piss in mind first, however
I read all three articles. In the third article I read:
“On a personal note. I know the NSA Director, General Keith Alexander and Deputy Director Chris Inglis. These are men of the highest integrity and honesty. Neither they nor any of the decision-makers at NSA would consider, tolerate, propose or entertain any effort to break the spirit or the letter of the law”
Bullshit. Ass kissing, butt fucking, dick sucking, pussy licking bullshit
The writer was on the high ground using facts and figures to back up his position, then he fell off his damn horse
The moment the writer started sticking his fucking head up Alexander’s and Inglis’s asses his true colors started flapping in the wind
By the way. Who wrote these bullshit articles. I may have missed it but I could not find any author’s name.
At least Snowden has the balls to stand up and be recognized
NSA must have one hell of a file on the yet to be identified writer
TheWatchLog my lily white ass
More like, WatchMeKissTheGovernment’sLog
I didn’t notice that an author tag wasn’t included in the posts. My name now appears on the “About” page.
If you want to be fair, and apparently you do not, quote the entire paragraph. You left out the folliwing:
“I don’t expect many people to be persuaded by my characterization of the NSA leadership, but it is important to me to say it. It is equally necessary for the public to scrutinize who Edward Snowden is, what he has actually done and question his motives. And if character is to be taken into account, I choose that of Keith Alexander over Edward Snowden any time.”
Just the opposite. There is virtually no collective concern about what is happening. The simpleton masses — the real sheeple — just need to be told that they are being protected from bad people and that “tons” of threats have already been turned away.
It’s unfortunate that so many people are believing Edward Snowden so easily. “Sheeple,” indeed. He contacted journalists BEFORE he went to the NSA facility in Hawaii, then allegedly grabbed some slides and heads off to China. Believe what you will, but give the whole thing some thought before making up your mind. Read the 3-part series at http://thewatchlog.com .
The former spy weighs in, perfect.
As a general rule I do not piss in someone else’s cornflakes unless they piss in mind first, however
I read all three articles. In the third article I read:
“On a personal note. I know the NSA Director, General Keith Alexander and Deputy Director Chris Inglis. These are men of the highest integrity and honesty. Neither they nor any of the decision-makers at NSA would consider, tolerate, propose or entertain any effort to break the spirit or the letter of the law”
Bullshit. Ass kissing, butt fucking, dick sucking, pussy licking bullshit
The writer was on the high ground using facts and figures to back up his position, then he fell off his damn horse
The moment the writer started sticking his fucking head up Alexander’s and Inglis’s asses his true colors started flapping in the wind
By the way. Who wrote these bullshit articles. I may have missed it but I could not find any author’s name.
At least Snowden has the balls to stand up and be recognized
NSA must have one hell of a file on the yet to be identified writer
TheWatchLog my lily white ass
More like, WatchMeKissTheGovernment’sLog
I didn’t notice that an author tag wasn’t included in the posts. My name now appears on the “About” page.
If you want to be fair, and apparently you do not, quote the entire paragraph. You left out the folliwing:
“I don’t expect many people to be persuaded by my characterization of the NSA leadership, but it is important to me to say it. It is equally necessary for the public to scrutinize who Edward Snowden is, what he has actually done and question his motives. And if character is to be taken into account, I choose that of Keith Alexander over Edward Snowden any time.”
Just the opposite. There is virtually no collective concern about what is happening. The simpleton masses — the real sheeple — just need to be told that they are being protected from bad people and that “tons” of threats have already been turned away.
Heros do not run away from the country they love-cowards and traitors do!
He is just a high school drop-out who wants attention. He may be a narcissitic and or insane and is playing a very dangerous game which could hurt lots of people. He just does not care but wants to be in power.
My thoughts exactly…..plus, I think he’s one sick puppy,and before he takes his bow a lot of damage is going to be done.
Heros do not run away from the country they love-cowards and traitors do!
He is just a high school drop-out who wants attention. He may be a narcissitic and or insane and is playing a very dangerous game which could hurt lots of people. He just does not care but wants to be in power.
My thoughts exactly…..plus, I think he’s one sick puppy,and before he takes his bow a lot of damage is going to be done.
Anyone who does not believe this guy is handing over valuable national defense information to the Communist Chinese is crazy. If he were not, he would not be leaving China any time soon.
So Obama has it, and so do the Communist Chinese….
Does the term “Irony” mean anything to you???
He gave a few decent reasons for why he went to Hong Kong and so far there haven’t been any secrets that the American public and the Chinese don’t already know. He has just been admitting the obvious.
One theory floating around the conspiracy mill is that Snowden is still under contract by the CIA and this whole thing is really a power play to neuter some of the NSA’s authority and clip some funding. Seems a bit out of left field, but if he doesn’t have anything deeper than what he has said so far, a CIA funded early retirement almost makes sense.
“so far there haven’t been any secrets that the American public and the Chinese don’t already know?”
How could you possibly know that? If you did they would not be secrets. You have absolutely no idea what he has given to whom.
You can only go on what he has said so far and so far this has been stuff that has been the news for while now. “Secret” maybe, but not really secret, just stuff that is normally buried on page 8. At least Assange/Manning had juicy diplomatic cables to justify, no, validate all the shock.
We’ve had plenty of whistle blowers who went the legal route and even Tom Coburn on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has been playing the “I can’t say what I know, but I’ll directly ask questions that openly admit what I already ‘hypothetically’ know. *WINKWINKNODNOD*” game and so far Snowden hasn’t said anything they haven’t already said.
Perhaps he does have a few genuine bombshells to drop, but as is, the only thing shocking has been media reaction telling us that we should be shocked.
And it always comes down to money. Wait and see.
Anyone who does not believe this guy is handing over valuable national defense information to the Communist Chinese is crazy. If he were not, he would not be leaving China any time soon.
He gave a few decent reasons for why he went to Hong Kong and so far there haven’t been any secrets that the American public and the Chinese don’t already know. He has just been admitting the obvious.
One theory floating around the conspiracy mill is that Snowden is still under contract by the CIA and this whole thing is really a power play to neuter some of the NSA’s authority and clip some funding. Seems a bit out of left field, but if he doesn’t have anything deeper than what he has said so far, a CIA funded early retirement almost makes sense.
“so far there haven’t been any secrets that the American public and the Chinese don’t already know?”
How could you possibly know that? If you did they would not be secrets. You have absolutely no idea what he has given to whom.
You can only go on what he has said so far and so far this has been stuff that has been the news for while now. “Secret” maybe, but not really secret, just stuff that is normally buried on page 8. At least Assange/Manning had juicy diplomatic cables to justify, no, validate all the shock.
We’ve had plenty of whistle blowers who went the legal route and even Tom Coburn on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has been playing the “I can’t say what I know, but I’ll directly ask questions that openly admit what I already ‘hypothetically’ know. *WINKWINKNODNOD*” game and so far Snowden hasn’t said anything they haven’t already said.
Perhaps he does have a few genuine bombshells to drop, but as is, the only thing shocking has been media reaction telling us that we should be shocked.
And it always comes down to money. Wait and see.
Obama has been caught using the IRS to persecute political enemies…I think that proves he is a DANGEROUS man, who has no regard for freedom, justice or the law…
We should all fear Obama, and what he has already shown he is capable of…Very Scary that America (the federal government) has sunk this low…
The Truth passed away from cancer on April 7. RIP
The Truth passed away from cancer on April 7. RIP
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/nsa-media-hysteria-misses-the-mark/21922
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/nsa-media-hysteria-misses-the-mark/21922
Somewhere there is a drone with this asshole’s name on it.
Somewhere there is a drone with this asshole’s name on it.
Why he is in Hong Kong? Make accusations then run away out of fear or what?
Why he is in Hong Kong? Make accusations then run away out of fear or what?
Every government program (legal or illegal) in existence needs FUNDING, and the power of the purse lies with Congress.
While the Executive Branch leads the way and has been complicit for (at LEAST) the last dozen years or so, 30-, 40-, and 50-year Legislative veterans, both (D) and (R) are providing the fiat currency to play this game, and has a single-digit approval rating.
So why do we keep electing these hammers?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Every government program (legal or illegal) in existence needs FUNDING, and the power of the purse lies with Congress.
While the Executive Branch leads the way and has been complicit for (at LEAST) the last dozen years or so, 30-, 40-, and 50-year Legislative veterans, both (D) and (R) are providing the fiat currency to play this game, and has a single-digit approval rating.
So why do we keep electing these hammers?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.