Edward Snowden

[Pharaoh]

[IMG][/IMG]

[cantbeserious]

1. Too True - When Will The Masses Awaken To Claim Power From The Oligarchs?

eom

[JI7]

2. if they were afraid they would treat us like Putin treats the people of Russia

and the way the chinese govt treats their people.

[Cha]

3. Snowden doesn't use logic.. he uses propaganda.

If the Obama Admin aren't afraid of him.. why is Eddie saying now that they want to kill him? At least that's what I read. It's hard to believe he would be so stupid.

[RC]

4. They would not be open and up front about dispatching Snowden.

That would be internationally and diplomatically known as a fuck-up, if they were that stupid.
There are still small planes, vehicles that lose their brakes on down hill roads, stuck accelerators, food poisoning, loose carpet at the top of stairs... Or even a sidewinder missile causing engine trouble to the plane Snowden is on, over the Pacific... All kinds of ways to make it look like an accident or suicide or some from of natural death. Anyway, it is not the Obama Administration he needs to be afraid of in any case.
This country has several 3 and 4 letter agencies that kill people to justify their existence and would gladly do that job and we would never be the wiser to the facts. Obama most likely would not be informed of the facts either, except for what, if anything that would make the news.

[SoapBox]

5. Comrade Eddie needs to just shut the fuck up.

But...he can't because he has become a Media Whore.

You've now got, about as much cred, as Putin.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

7. Snooping when Bush did it = bad. Snooping when Obama continues doing it = good.

Killing the messenger much?

[treestar]

107. Not true. Some of Bush's snooping was OK

And Obama cut back on it.

Interesting when people try to divide Democrats this way. A Republican would use those exact same words.

And it didn't bother Eddie one bit when Bush was doing it.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

112. Bothered me when both did it and do it.

That pesky 4th amendment really is passe.

And Bush's snooping was OKAY??? Are we defending Bush on DU now????

[Cha]

9. Two peas in pod, Soap.. :(

"These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations." .. Eddie Propaganda artist

http://wikileaks.org/Statement-by-Edward-Snowden-to.html

[rhett o rick]

38. And I suppose you cheer American exceptionalism when we stand up against human rights violations

kill a million innocent Vietnamese and 100,000 innocent Iraqis.

[bobduca]

69. American Exception -alism

aka IOKIBODI

[rhett o rick]

73. I am not blaming American exceptionalism on Pres Obama. My point is that those here

that seem to be exceptionally patriot are exhibiting a very conservative trait. Love your country but always be vigilant of your government even when run by Democrats.

[bobduca]

75. patriotism, like nationalism, is a poison.

Both are only invoked to justify something awful done to some other group in our name.

for transparency the acronym i used:
Its OK if Barack Obama Does It.

[rhett o rick]

77. I understood the acronym, thus my response. nm

[mimi85]

15. Agree 100%!

I wish he would just go away, take Assange and Greenwald with him. It's getting more boring than Benghazi.
Such narcissistic jerks.

[billhicks76]

17. Wow

Between You, Soapbox and Cha I can't even believe you breathe air. What planet do you live on? Our democracy is gone because of this and some of us care. In fact, most American do. You should try working for a military contractor. But it matters not what drivel comments are made here...that quote speaks volumes on its own. I'm sure there are openings at the corporate NSA mill though if you haven't them already.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

32. Democracy is gone?

When did this happen?

[billhicks76]

39. Oligarchy

When as reported numerous times by NSA whistleblowers other than Snowden that most of the spying is on US politicians, judges,attorneys, journalists, generals and intelligence committee members in order to gain leverage to blackmail them or force votes or legal judgements. Our democracy is fake now.

[rhett o rick]

43. While you were watching American Idol.

We are losing our democracy in stages, how far are you willing to let it go before you wake up and smell the oligarchy.

The trade agreements are allowing corporations to tell OUR government what they can and cant do. The NSA is spying on us to a degree that we dont even know (and some here dont want to know). But what we do know is that they've exceeded the Constitution.

Our founders would be sorely disappointed in how easily some are willing to look the other way while our liberties and freedoms are being usurped.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

78. I don't watch American Idol FYI

N/t

[rhett o rick]

80. Is that the only thing I posted about that you refute? Are you ok with our steady

decline into an oligarchy? Are you ok with the growing wealth disparity? Are you ok that the TPP may be the final nail in the coffin of the middle class? Speak up. How do you feel? The status quo is just alright with you?

[AAO]

58. Wow. Where have you been the last 52 years?

If you don't have perspective, and don't do any research, then just have a blissful life as long as you can.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

79. So, what are we now?

[AAO]

88. Too be blunt... We're fucked. N/t

[bobduca]

74. thanks dr freud for the pop psychoanalysis

[HangOnKids]

99. Ahhh do you have a sad?

Poor thing.

[Jamaal510]

72. "Comrade Eddie"

[reusrename]

91. the quote is from July 1

it's difficult to understand how it could have been true back then but not credible now

[rhett o rick]

37. Authoritarian powers can not tolerate whistle-blowers or others that speak truth

to power. And it seems that neither can you as you side with the authoritarian powers. Do you think your loyalty will somehow be rewarded? Maybe it's like trickle down, you give your loyalty to the oligarchs and they pat you on the head.
Do you think the bullies offer you security?

Our founders would be disappointed if they knew how easily some Americans, even so-called Democrats, willingly give up their freedoms and liberties for some half-assed promise of security.

[Titonwan]

6. Obviously

you haven't been paying attention these last 35 years. We had a free press, back then.

[newfie11]

25. +infinity

[sabrina 1]

12. Or the way they treated the Occupy Wall St Protesters?? Or the way they treat Whistle Blowers?

Putin treated the Anti-Putin protesters in Russia FAR BETTER than the OWS protesters were treated here by THEIR government.

Way, way better.

[stevenleser]

28. Yep, most media folks would have already gotten a bullet in the head. That's what Russia does to

journalists who criticize the government too much.

[rhett o rick]

76. That doesnt happen here. They might commit suicide, die in a small plane crash, or their car might

suddenly run into a tree.

[bvar22]

35. You mean that if they were really afraid of the Snowdens, they would:

*build a massive Surveillance/Police State

*Spend every dime on the Military, and cut programs that help The People?

*claim the power to kill anyone at any time without due process?

*claim the power to "disappear" people?
(Hold indefinitely without trial or due process)

*institute "Secret" Laws and have "Secret" courts?

*militarize the local Police Departments?

*Build a massive Homeland Security Department?

*Stop anyone at anytime, demand "papers", and frisk them?

*Persecute anyone who dares Blow the Whistle on Government Spying?

*Have the Heads of State go on television and claim that there is NO Spying on Americans
even though everybody KNOWS that is a LIE ?

*Not allow peaceful demonstrations?


You mean stuff like that?

You will know them by their WORKS.

[sabrina 1]

40. Don't forget, torture whistle blowers! That's what THEY would do! But not us?

UN Torture Chief: Bradley Manning Treatment Was Cruel, Inhuman

That's what THEY would do!

[bvar22]

42. It is mind boggling that the NSA and Clapper...

...would have so much support here on the underground.

War is Peace
Ignorance is Strength
Freedom is Slavery
Clapper is trustworthy

The NSA LOVES you,
and is only spying on you for your own good.
How do we know this?
because .....OBAMA!!!!
so STFU!!!



woo me with science really Nailed It last July

The goal of the propaganda assaults across the internet is not to convince anyone of anything

It is to thoroughly hijack, pollute and therefore eliminate public spaces where real discussion and organization can occur. Occupy is disbanded with clubs and pepper spray. Dissent and organization online are disrupted with surveillance and propaganda.

It is no accident that propaganda brigades post new threads on discussion boards far out of proportion to their presence in the community, and that they nearly *always* demand the last word in any interchange.

The goal is to disrupt the important public space for liberal thought, discussion, and organization that these boards offer, and to keep the participants busy instead batting off the corporate lies and talking points.

woo me with science Sun Jul 28, 2013
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023359801

...but, thankfully, their screen names are right up there^,
and their agenda becomes more transparent every day.
Let the Sun Shine In!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Governments spy on their own people because they fear us.

"There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it. Always." Gandhi

[AverageJoe90]

10. Hey Fast Eddie, where were you when Bush was doing his thing?

And why are you praising Russia, a country with a post-Yeltsin human rights record substantially worse than our own(and getting worse by the day!)? Are you that fucking delusional? Or are you truly a hypocritical asshat on top of a traitorous coward?

[Cha]

13. Kissing his a$$. Snowden's a drama junkie.. notice the meme from

snowden, greenwald, and assange. That all helps greenie's book sales and snowden?.. what does he get? another year in Russia?

[AverageJoe90]

14. Does make you wonder, doesn't it? nt

[billhicks76]

18. Not Really

Comments like these make me wonder though.

[Cha]

21. I don't wonder.. it's too freaking obvious. Snowden-Russia-

Greenwald/his big book promoting megahorn-assange/whining about how rand paul would be good for
America-trapped somewhere in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

"These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations." .. Eddie Propaganda artist

http://wikileaks.org/Statement-by-Edward-Snowden-to.html

[riderinthestorm]

31. A drama junkie? Well at least you all are coming up with some new ones

You did notice this quote was from last July right?

[blkmusclmachine]

11. Washington DC: the 1% running roughshod over the other 99%.

[snot]

16. Make note of all those whose main responses are to attack the character of the messenger,

rather than the wrongs revealed.

[billhicks76]

19. Exactly

Sock Puppet much?

[Union Scribe]

20. Yep. "Edward Snowden" are two magical words on DU

that are guaranteed to cause an almost Pavlovian rage in some. Some days I find it sad, other days funny.

[Th1onein]

26. You notice that too, spot?

Always the same people. Always. And you notice that they NEVER address the issue of spying? It's always attack the messenger. They do NOT want to talk about the truth or falsity of the charges.

[riderinthestorm]

27. Their seething rage at Snowden, and nary a word about the illegal US activities.

Last edited Mon Jan 27, 2014, 08:31 AM - Edit history (1)

And each of them has their specific comment kinda like they're coordinated to cover the bases. I'm embarrassed for them.

Media whore. Check!

Narcissist. Check!

Comrade Eddie. Check!

Friends with Pootie Put. Check!

Traitor. Check!

[bobduca]

71. Any illegalities alleged are clearly lies and part of an evil libertarian/Putin-backed/Paulite CT

[Broward]

29. Many suffer from the same affliction of the Bush loyalists.

[LuvNewcastle]

34. Looks like they've got Snowden Derangement Syndrome (SDS).

SDS makes them foam at the mouth every time they see his name. I wish there was a shot they could take; maybe a shot of whiskey and a Valium would help?

[bobduca]

57. full ignore everyone of the badge sniffers

[840high]

61. Yes. Amazing. Predictable.

[ecstatic]

83. Get real. The OP is titled Edward Snowden

and the message is pure hyperbolic BS. He doesn't know what Obama fears.

If you want it to be about the NSA, make the OP about the NSA, not Snowden.

[snot]

98. The OP is not about Snowden;

it's merely a quote of something he said that echoes what many DU'er's have expressed: that the ways in which Obama and other elites have responded to "terrorism" looks like they're as or more afraid of the PEOPLE than than of any actual terrorists -- i.e., WAY too much spying on the people in general, especially including journalists and progressive activists.

[Luminous Animal]

22. Link?

Thought not.

[1000words]

23. Think again.

http://wikileaks.org/Statement-from-Edward-Snowden-in.html

[polynomial]

24. Snowden’s Big Bang

Snowden’s action is sort of like the Big Bang theory, it keeps expanding. Good reason likely very prominent political, business people will either be embarrassed, worse ridiculed shamed, and forever tainted in their career in politics or business. Especially those in mainstream media will lie to the death.

The worst of the worse carry the yoke being labeled as a profiteer. Breaking bad as an elected official, then turn pirate, swindling the tax payer’s money. It is in your face treasonous, from my view a crime so damming against the Constitution done with intentional premeditation. Just as those that gather to make one goal to stymie the president at the expense of the whole country.

All Americans are the losers when this sensibility is sidelined and we forget the first amendment a small part that says “We the People” have the right to submit our grievances to the government. But in finding that government is corrupt has to be a pitiful feeling, it is for me, but my rage is for divine retribution. The Constitution is very open interpretation but does not say under what circumstance a citizen could, or should submit a grievance.

One thing in this election of Obama in his second term has flush out into the open is the huge chunk of secrecy used for profiteering, being for war or the wall street banking title fraud or collecting metadata that is very powerful information that gives the feeling the technology we pay taxes for is used against the public. If there is what is called the “Moment” or that phrase “Yes we Can” it is now we can with every fiber to rid the system of this dreadful governance.

It’s about time President Obama might be the witness to a public that is responding to that Moment. President Obama knowing that the public will participate to take out of politics whoever it is that needs to be taken out. Stripped of all benefits, wouldn’t it be a hoot to have the ethics committee pressured to reduce the political retirement benefit in finding those guilty of bribery. Or better CEO’s from wall street stripped of their benefits having to live on social security.

[baldguy]

30. And what of the GOP-controlled congress?

[rhett o rick]

53. And what of the GOP controlled NSA? Clapper and Alexander are Republicans. Funny

how some Democrats follow authoritarian Republicans. Pres Obama didnt have to appoint Clapper, or did he?

[baldguy]

60. Again with the Teabagger bullshit about "The evil dictator Obama"! Get off it, fool!

Congress passes the laws the NSA operates under. Congress provides oversight to ensure those laws are followed & are operating properly.

If you don't like the way the laws are written - GET CONGRESS TO CHANGE THE LAW!

[rhett o rick]

63. I think you are way off in your sad attempt to apologize for the President.

He appointed Clapper. Congress does pass laws but not detailed to the extent as to what the NSA specifically does or who they specifically spy on. Congress is supposed to have some oversight and they claim to have struggled to get access to the NSA to provide that access and right or wrong, that still doesnt remove the responsibility from the President.

I guess with you the buck stops anywhere except with the President. Remember Pres Obama appointed Clapper, assigned Clapper to reform himself, and refuses to fire him.

Calling me names is childish and seem to be an act of desperation.

[baldguy]

64. As if characterizing reasonable Democrats - including the sitting Democratic President

as "authoritarians" isn't childish name-calling replete with desperation... You should grow up & stop getting your talking points from Rand Paul.

[rhett o rick]

65. I dont see any compelling arguments in your post. When stumped you just go to name calling.

Pres Obama appointed General Clapper a very conservative Republican. Is that a Rand Paul talking point?

Are you trying to argue that Gen Clapper isnt an authoritarian?

I agree that I may call Gen Clapper names but I didnt call you names. Calling other posters names is childish.

[baldguy]

66. And I see a Teabagger holding up a sign with Obama as Stalin.

It isn't an indication that any rational discussion is forthcoming when they do it, and it isn't when you do it either.

[rhett o rick]

67. And I see someone that supports a lying Republican in General Clapper. nm

[baldguy]

68. Accusing a sitting Democratic President of being a dictator & his supporters of being authoritarians

Is not a Democratic/progressive/liberal virtue. Or a sign of intelligence or rationality, either.

But idiot Republicans do it all the time.

[rhett o rick]

70. Funny how you have to lower yourself into putting words into my mouth to be able to

disparage me. I disparage a Republican and you disparage me.

[baldguy]

84. Barack Obama is a Republican now?

The whole guilt-by-association thing is also something the other side does so well.

[uponit7771]

33. BULLLLLLLLLLLLLSHHHIITTTT!! Snowden - Public has a right to info but not a right to judge me on law

... hypocritical at best

[Progressive dog]

36. Oh, poor Eddie doesn't live under a Constitutional government,

the US must have kicked him out. Bad USA, bad. Bad Obama, bad.
Maybe Rand and Ron will at least fly over to visit him.

[rhett o rick]

44. Do whistle-blowers disrupt your comfortable denial bubble?

Progressives support whistle-blowers, investigative journalists, protestors, Occupy, and others that dare speak out against tyranny. It's the conservatives among us that wallow in the promised safety of our authoritarian leaders. Are you sure your name shouldnt be "Conservative Dog"? Let me help you decide. Conservatives choose Clapper over Snowden.

[Progressive dog]

45. Oh Eddie says he's a whistleblower

and he spoke out against that awful government tyranny. All those poor protesters rotting in jail, and Eddie wants to save them.
I'll bet the NSA was why the USA revolted from Britain.

[rhett o rick]

48. So you confirm that you support lying Republicans over those that dare to

speak out against tyranny. Your ad hominem attacks are pitiful and typical of someone without a decent argument.

[Progressive dog]

86. I confirm that I am an American and a Democrat

that I voted for our current Democratic president. I confirm that I don't confuse technologies that are under development with technologies that are in use on all Americans.
I confirm that I refuse to support the word of an accused felon over the word of the Democratic president I voted for. I confirm that I find the attacks on the President by supposed Democrats irritating.
I do not confirm that the USA is a tyranny and in fact think that anyone who believes it is not rational.

[rhett o rick]

89. and you believe in American exceptionalism. That's not very progressive. nm

[Progressive dog]

100. I believe in the American system of government

and I find it incredible that you don't. If my being a Democrat and an American upsets you, that's your problem.

[rhett o rick]

101. Who said I dont? Trying to put words in my mouth again? Our government

depends on citizen actions. Blindly following a leader isnt what our founders had in mind. A citizen's job is to hold their elected officials accountable and not worship them.

[rhett o rick]

103. Again you try to put words in my mouth. I have never said the US is a tyranny. I have said

that we need to fight tyranny. Your statement re. N. Korea is irrational. I want to fight tyranny. You seem to want to worship an authoritarian leader and hold a tight fist on those that want to speak out. Can you spell Gen Clapper?

[Progressive dog]

104. I don't need to put words in your mouth-you actually said

Occupy, and others that dare speak out against tyranny. It's the conservatives among us that wallow in the promised safety of our authoritarian leaders.

I didn't even mention the authoritarian leaders bit.
Would that make you a Liar?

[Whisp]

41. pathetic weasel trying to be all V for Vendetta n/t

[rhett o rick]

46. Let's be clear, you side against whistle-blowers and with lying Republicans like Clapper.

Are you in the correct message board? Disparaging whistle-blowers and supporting Republicans.

I bet you support the TPP also. Penny P is such a model of liberalism.

[Whisp]

47. and I bet you don't like kittehs.

[rhett o rick]

49. So you wont deny that you favor Republicans like Clapper over whistle-blowers?

You love the comfort that authoritarian rule provides, even if it's Republican rule.

Your ad hominem attacks are childish and indicative of someone without a decent argument.

[Whisp]

51. your bait is not juicy enough, rhett o rick.

I'm not biting.



got your team lined up?

[rhett o rick]

52. So you really dont have any principles? nm

[Whisp]

56. You're not very good at this, are you? n/t

[rhett o rick]

90. If you are referring to mimicking corp-media ad hominem attacks, then no. nm

[Vattel]

95. ouch, that drew blood

[Number23]

105. And seems ever so proud of that too. Astonishing.

[treestar]

108. Eddie's not a whistleblower

And when you side with our having no national security, one has to wonder.

[rhett o rick]

111. I side with no national security? That's a lie. You are getting desperate. nm

[WillyT]

50. HUGE K & R !!!

[woo me with science]

54. K&R

[hog]

55. How can there be secrets if any punk in the chain of command can break his oath and tell the secret?

[reusrename]

93. Depends on the secret.

The Nuremberg Trials made that crystal clear.

In this particular case, it's not even a close call.

Not even close.

[840high]

59. K/R

[truth2power]

62. It's true. We are the enemy. n/t

[reusrename]

94. We are the hope they are intent on snuffing out. n/t

[1awake]

81. I've learned a great deal from the Snowden affair...

Especially here on DU. Because of this situation, I can honestly say there are posters on this board who I respect less than some republicans I know. Hell... There are posters on this board on this specific issue, appear further to the right than those same repubs.

We have posters on one of the most liberal boards that argue FOR government agencies having access to all our communications regardless of the 4th and 1st Amendment issues, and... are more pissed about the guy who told us it was taking place than the actual actions he reported.

All to deflect and defend a President because of a letter D after his name. Yea, Bush started it but Obama owns it now, and I can honestly say I'm not all that comfortable putting Obama in the same league as W. But none of this matters I guess. As long as it's our guy it's all good man. It's coool and necessary cause we need protecting... everyone else is doing it... whatever it takes. I'm so disgusted, but worse... I'm damn ashamed.

[stevenleser]

85. You are choosing to interpret it that way. That is your opinion and your choice.

You've chosen to ignore, for instance, that this same 'leaker' in Obama's first month, heck first week as President, attacked wikileaks, the New York Times and the practice of leaking only a few years before and suggested that leakers should receive rather harsh punishment. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/06/exclusive-in-2009-ed-snowden-said-leakers-should-be-shot-then-he-became-one/3/

You've chosen to ignore that "those same repubs" vigorously defended warrantless wiretapping, a practice with no paper trail and no oversight (not to mention torture and all of the rest), but now they attack surveillance under FISA.

You've chosen to ignore the Duggan decision and the many other appellate decisions listed in Duggan that painstakingly lay out why FISA is Constitutional and what the President's powers are in this regard and how they pertain to the fourth amendment.

In fact you've chosen to ignore that FISA was introduced by Ted Kennedy and signed into law by Jimmy Carter and was and still is praised by the ACLU. Normally a great organization, the ACLU has twisted itself into knots praising FISA while complaining about surveillance under Obama.

Those folks whose opinions you don't like? They haven't chosen to ignore these things. Maybe you should reconsider your use of the puke smiley.

[Whisp]

92. It kind of disgusts me that GG and Co. are making money from stolen goods

of this sort, but I'm funny that way.

[1awake]

96. Wait... which stolen goods?

the documents outlining the information stolen by the government or the papers indicating it?


To me its the difference between murder and shoplifting. Both may be wrong, but one is far more severe.

[BlueCheese]

97. This is a great comment. n/t

[ecstatic]

82. More hyperbole from Snowden?

I'm shocked!

[Douglas Carpenter]

87. knr

[treestar]

106. BS

Like everything else this idiot says.

[frwrfpos]

109. proud to recommend

[Rex]

110. Funny when you bring up Snowden or GG or Manning, some get this look on their face