General Discussion

GoneFishin

(5,217 posts)

87. In five years we would not know there is a crisis without people like him. He risks

Tue Jun 11, 2013, 08:04 PM

Jun 2013

everything to get the truth out. As far as him going through the supposed possible channels, I saw an interview with an ex-CIA agent who was queried about such a thing. Her response was that as a practical matter there are no such channels.

If there were such channels, a release of information might take decades to wind its ways through the courts and would likely be fought tooth and nail by the DOJ. I am confident that anything released would be heavily redacted to the point where it would be useless.

Frankly, with the way these whistle-blowers are being crushed like flies by our government (which I am sure has nothing to do with assuring the continued flow of the $80 billion of tax money being blown on these programs) that they still have the balls to come forward.

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Maybe it's because I've held a Top Secret security clearance once... [View all] MrScorpio Jun 2013 OP

Just my first thoughts Sherman A1 Jun 2013 #1

Very good essay. Some more info to add to the pile: MADem Jun 2013 #2

Top secret clearance here madokie Jun 2013 #8

I hear ya! nt MADem Jun 2013 #9

Yep, those outbriefings were always effective on me ..... oldhippie Jun 2013 #81

Ha ha ha!!! I wouldn't be surprised...! MADem Jun 2013 #96

... Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #120

I suspected that. I posted it here somewhere. At first I thought he just got the job to out all this okaawhatever Jun 2013 #109

The boxes in the garage may have been an odd habit of the girlfriend. MADem Jun 2013 #117

Nothing in that post changes the fact that the government is JDPriestly Jun 2013 #135

Your claim is not proven. And if you think the government is "spying on ALL its citizens" I have a MADem Jun 2013 #162

The whole story seemed slick, managed. Thanks for showing why it had that apperance. freshwest Jun 2013 #172

The making of a Crystal Ball. napoleon_in_rags Jun 2013 #3

I think the confusion comes from the fact that he was working at NSA. For years. MADem Jun 2013 #11

In five years we would not know there is a crisis without people like him. He risks GoneFishin Jun 2013 #87

Nonsense. He didn't even TRY. And the son of his political hero is sitting in the Senate on the MADem Jun 2013 #90

You don't get to try one road, then use the other if it doesn't work out. GoneFishin Jun 2013 #95

He had a clear path to the Senate Intel Committee. MADem Jun 2013 #97

I can't dismiss the possibility, because Rand is squirrely. I truly don't know. GoneFishin Jun 2013 #98

I have some experience with Hill staffers and principals. MADem Jun 2013 #100

How much do we know about Snowden's military injury? Eddie Haskell Jun 2013 #103

Obviously he was treated in a MMF--military medical facility. MADem Jun 2013 #105

Just thinking ... maybe he did complete his training. Eddie Haskell Jun 2013 #107

Army has said no. MADem Jun 2013 #118

the mos for that program is 18X. Apparently they call the recruits X Rays. Here's the training okaawhatever Jun 2013 #112

He was in and out in four--some say five--months. MADem Jun 2013 #121

But, had Snowden taken the route you suggest, the Rand JDPriestly Jun 2013 #138

His testimony would not have been public. MADem Jun 2013 #146

Regardless. I am grateful that he came forward. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #148

I think that's still up for debate. There's a lot we don't know, still. nt MADem Jun 2013 #149

If the program is not as awful as our worst suspicions, then the JDPriestly Jun 2013 #152

Let's send the plans of our latest military aircraft to the Chinese, too, shall we? MADem Jun 2013 #157

Many people on DU do not understand the legal concept of chilling JDPriestly Jun 2013 #158

I've had a telephone party line, and I've lived in countries where it was assumed that the MADem Jun 2013 #160

If we weren't all freaking out about this NSA thing ... brett_jv Jun 2013 #159

The globe is marching towards biometric identifiers. MADem Jun 2013 #161

And there are at least 279 people in DC that would love something to hang on the administration Trekologer Jun 2013 #173

Yes, you do get to try additional roads jeff47 Jun 2013 #106

That was then. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #142

No, someone very intelligent would realize that was not the case. jeff47 Jun 2013 #165

But with this system, there are no anonymous phone numbers if JDPriestly Jun 2013 #167

No. Again, life is not an action movie. jeff47 Jun 2013 #169

It isn't so simple. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #170

Once again, life is not an action movie. jeff47 Jun 2013 #171

thank you! very thoughtful point of view Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #125

Thank you, I believe you're right. napoleon_in_rags Jun 2013 #126

you are right, it's what makes the most sense. if people stop and use their brains and common sense. Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #131

Thanks for sharing this. napoleon_in_rags Jun 2013 #132

Thank you. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #143

K & R. Love your longer posts. freshwest Jun 2013 #4

I don't agree with everything you write in your op but this is spot on: cali Jun 2013 #5

A related post that I have just put up intaglio Jun 2013 #6

"This shit happens when people don't pay attention to it." Amonester Jun 2013 #7

Great post, Scorpio, thanks. Scuba Jun 2013 #10

Glenn Greenwald lost all credibility with me when he called atheists racists in his defense of Islam GreenEyedLefty Jun 2013 #12

Got a link for that Greenwald quote? nt. druidity33 Jun 2013 #72

This is a excellent overview of that incident. snagglepuss Jun 2013 #78

what a bullshit smear by association bobduca Jun 2013 #122

Obviously you didn`t read anything at the link I provided. snagglepuss Jun 2013 #166

I thought he screwed it when he took money as a CATO Institute consultant and "white paper" writer. MADem Jun 2013 #91

As a former military officer, fasttense Jun 2013 #13

I don't remember much about my debriefing...that was ~39 years ago. HereSince1628 Jun 2013 #26

In my Munificence Jun 2013 #48

Same here. MineralMan Jun 2013 #54

Funny you mentioned Linguist Munificence Jun 2013 #64

How about neither... MrScorpio Jun 2013 #66

I had my final read off and debrief in 2010 ..... oldhippie Jun 2013 #85

Bingo SlimJimmy Jun 2013 #99

You remember incorrectly. Clearances held are a common feature of most defense/state MADem Jun 2013 #124

You hit it right on all points, I think. Thanks for the perspective. randome Jun 2013 #14

years ago my dh had a top security clearance too Duppers Jun 2013 #15

This message was self-deleted by its author BenzoDia Jun 2013 #16

We were a family of clearances TexasProgresive Jun 2013 #17

... Duppers Jun 2013 #19

If this is true, JDPriestly Jun 2013 #147

I have been saying it but no one seems to be listening. 4bucksagallon Jun 2013 #18

Have To Agree To Disagree - The Surveillance State Is Out Of Control - No More Excuses cantbeserious Jun 2013 #20

I agree with you A Little Weird Jun 2013 #25

Just because some ass tweets a pic of their ass doesn't mean everybody has to lose THEIR privacy n2doc Jun 2013 #21

The false equivalency crap going on here is rampant. The DU friends of Agent Mike group... L0oniX Jun 2013 #94

Yeah.. the apologists are arguing in favor bobduca Jun 2013 #113

Then comparing it to the One Ring and suggesting we toss it into Mt. Doom is out of the question? TalkingDog Jun 2013 #22

Thanks for that. timdog44 Jun 2013 #23

"Don't be fucking naive. " greytdemocrat Jun 2013 #24

There was timdog44 Jun 2013 #29

Rationalizing an authoritarian surveillance state is naive. JackRiddler Jun 2013 #123

That was a good read. n/t Whisp Jun 2013 #27

Thank you. K&R n/t OneGrassRoot Jun 2013 #28

I've read the same sentiment severl times. Savannahmann Jun 2013 #30

+1 Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #55

THANK YOU! Th1onein Jun 2013 #73

Very well stated! TM99 Jun 2013 #137

Tremendous: thoughtful and insightful alcibiades_mystery Jun 2013 #31

good post, it's so much easier for people to go off emotionally treestar Jun 2013 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author seaglass Jun 2013 #34

That's not all that over-emotional treestar Jun 2013 #36

This message was self-deleted by its author seaglass Jun 2013 #37

If that OP is like that treestar Jun 2013 #38

k&r HappyMe Jun 2013 #33

I'm curious how he got the job and security clearance in the first place auburngrad82 Jun 2013 #35

Good question. HappyMe Jun 2013 #40

Yeah, that was my first take on everything, too. HS dropout to SF dropout to security guard Nay Jun 2013 #42

How do we know he broke both legs? Eddie Haskell Jun 2013 #104

+1, from security guard to INFRASTRUCTURE sys admin?! uponit7771 Jun 2013 #45

Clearance investigations and re-investigations are seriously backlogged Zorro Jun 2013 #46

Backlog is going to be worst now... HipChick Jun 2013 #61

Your timeline is compressed jeff47 Jun 2013 #108

The salary is still very high for the position he is reported to have had Trekologer Jun 2013 #174

According to Salary.com jeff47 Jun 2013 #175

Thank you elfin Jun 2013 #39

Thanks for this Mr. Scorpio davidpdx Jun 2013 #41

Kasamnida, Adashi! nt MrScorpio Jun 2013 #65

As a security person Babel_17 Jun 2013 #43

Let me try to answer your questions as best I can. MrScorpio Jun 2013 #62

"Exercising one's right to protest doesn't represent a threat to them. " reusrename Jun 2013 #68

They're concerned with the people who want to blow us up. The people who are trying to break into okaawhatever Jun 2013 #115

Thanks for taking the time for the detailed reply (nt) Babel_17 Jun 2013 #70

They don't care? NOT YET. Th1onein Jun 2013 #74

No matter how "private" you think things are, there is a room full of analysts somewhere who can see cbdo2007 Jun 2013 #44

R#60 for, EXCELLENT o.p. & here are highlights: UTUSN Jun 2013 #47

Greenwald is in this for himself flamingdem Jun 2013 #49

thanks for the OP. I hadn't been alarmed previously, just pissed. Sheepshank Jun 2013 #50

Just remember -- the capitalists DO have the right to collect all that info for themselves. You Nay Jun 2013 #164

Finally. A voice of reason. BumRushDaShow Jun 2013 #51

Huh? Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #52

I'm in the same position you are. MineralMan Jun 2013 #53

The funny thing is that even after leaving all of that shit behind eight years ago... MrScorpio Jun 2013 #57

Once I left the USAF, I left that entire business behind. MineralMan Jun 2013 #60

Top Secret Clearance here also.. HipChick Jun 2013 #58

Agree with you on the Patriot Act marions ghost Jun 2013 #56

Also, just for shits and giggles Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #59

k+r Blue_Tires Jun 2013 #63

"Tweeting from their toilets millions of times a day . . ." --- That would be me. Major Hogwash Jun 2013 #67

interview tyler.thetakeaway Jun 2013 #69

No, I'm not doing any interviews MrScorpio Jun 2013 #71

Tyler, you picked a great person/post to approach. Glad you were able to wade through the chum Number23 Jun 2013 #76

HUGE K&R!! "the crying and drama queening about it is just getting way out of hand." Number23 Jun 2013 #75

Best comment about this whole clusterfuck that I've read yet . The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2013 #77

Just because you drank the Kookaid and need to still justify it... kickysnana Jun 2013 #79

I'm not justifying it, I'm merely breaking the news to you that it exists MrScorpio Jun 2013 #86

Snowden's a patriot and you're a jerk. xtraxritical Jun 2013 #80

Jesus loves ya, baby nt MrScorpio Jun 2013 #83

DOD Secret here at Boeing. longship Jun 2013 #82

My only problem with your OP... RevStPatrick Jun 2013 #84

It you can't get a sip from a fire hose, squandering money to build a spy Niagara Falls is wasteful. AnotherMcIntosh Jun 2013 #88

Thank you for a fascinating read. thucythucy Jun 2013 #89

More false equivalency bullshit. L0oniX Jun 2013 #92

I agree that at some level this is nothing new.... Swede Atlanta Jun 2013 #93

The problem is that it's perfectly legal and shouldn't be. alarimer Jun 2013 #101

Hats off to Mr. Scorpio. Kick. Rec. Hekate Jun 2013 #102

my motto, too n/t grasswire Jun 2013 #111

I was in SIGINT, TS/SI clearance. I'm rolling my eyes at the misinformation. DevonRex Jun 2013 #110

You feel my pain, bro. MrScorpio Jun 2013 #114

Every bit of it. DevonRex Jun 2013 #116

Thanks for writing this OP. Very informative, very rational. Patriot Act Repeal, K&R. emulatorloo Jun 2013 #119

Ah, the cult of national security. backscatter712 Jun 2013 #127

Well said. bluedigger Jun 2013 #128

thank you arely staircase Jun 2013 #129

People who worked in this kind of program are anethisized JDPriestly Jun 2013 #130

'This may seem normal to the CREEPS that run these programs or work for them." DevonRex Jun 2013 #133

I did not say that to the poster. I said that in general. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #140

You seem to be under a misconception. DevonRex Jun 2013 #153

That's even worse. JDPriestly Jun 2013 #155

Seriously bad leap there. LOL. DevonRex Jun 2013 #156

You get no disagreements from me MrScorpio Jun 2013 #134

They got that way because people became afraid to speak up, JDPriestly Jun 2013 #139

Do you have any suggestions felix_numinous Jun 2013 #136

I'm not panicking. I'm just letting my representatives know that they currently do not liberal_at_heart Jun 2013 #141

thank you! great OP Voice for Peace Jun 2013 #144

Post removed Post removed Jun 2013 #145

Are you being facetious? MrScorpio Jun 2013 #150

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2013 #151

Well, I guess that you weren't being facetious MrScorpio Jun 2013 #154

I don't completely agree with you.... blackspade Jun 2013 #163

There's an entire generation zeeland Jun 2013 #168

I'm an old Army spook. alfredo Jun 2013 #176