Liberal advocates of a police state turn savagely against Edward Snowden [View all]

[Catherina]

Liberal advocates of a police state turn savagely against Edward Snowden
By David North and Eric London
14 June 2013

Since Edward Snowden’s exposure of the Obama administration’s illegal domestic and international surveillance program, the political establishment and the media has been engaged in a non-stop campaign to discredit the young man and besmirch his character and reputation. To their dismay, the public is not falling for the anti-Snowden hate campaign. He is seen as a man with principles, and his warnings of a massive government conspiracy against the people’s democratic rights have struck a chord with millions who resent and fear the increasing invasion of their privacy by government snoopers. If a nation-wide vote were taken to determine who the American people found more trust-worthy and believable—Snowden or his persecutors in the Obama administration, Congress and the media—the 29-year-old Ed Snowden would win hands-down.

The campaign to discredit Snowden comes as no surprise. But what is particularly significant about the media campaign is the explicitly anti-democratic and authoritarian arguments that are being advanced to condemn him.

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How does one explain the transformation of Professor Geoffrey R. Stone from a critic of government violations of civil liberties into a persecutor of those who seek to defend the Bill of Rights? The same question could be asked in relation to the evolution of Jeff Toobin. Clearly, more is involved than individuals changing their minds. The evolution of these two people reflects a far broader social and political process. The breakdown of democratic institutions proceeds alongside the dissolution of any significant support for democratic rights within the ruling elite and its faithful retainers among the wealthiest 5 percent of the population. Aware of their own distance from the social interests of the broad masses of the population, they look to the state to defend their own wealth and privileges.

The rich and the privileged hate Snowden because he has defied the state that protects their interests. He failed to show proper deference to their system and their secrets. He has exposed the massive conspiracy that is being directed in Washington against the democratic rights of the people. And that is why they are determined to destroy Ed Snowden.

It is the solemn duty of the working class to come to his defense.

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/06/14/comm-j14.html

AGAIN: It is the solemn duty of the working class to come to his defense.

and for some semi-comic relief from the UK government whose GCHQ collaborated with NSA in these assaults on the privacy of their own citizens as well as illegal wars like Iraq, the UK, no really, you have to read this to believe it. As if Snowden would ever even dream of getting on a flight to the UK.

Prism Whistleblower Snowden Not Welcome In UK
Airlines worldwide have been issued with an alert not to allow the US spy leaker to board UK-bound flights.

The UK government has urged airlines worldwide not to allow ex-CIA employee Edward Snowden, who leaked details of a secret US internet surveillance programme, to board flights to Britain.

The alert, dated Monday on a Home Office letterhead, said carriers should prevent the former US intelligence contractor boarding UK-bound flights because "the individual is highly likely to be refused entry to the UK", according to the Associated Press.

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The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly told AP that any carrier that brought Mr Snowden would be liable to be fined £2,000, adding that he would likely have been deemed by the Home Office to be detrimental to the "public good".

The alert was issued by the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network, which is part of the UK Border Agency and has staff in several countries identified as major transit points for inadequately documented passengers.

....

http://news.sky.com/story/1103567/prism-whistleblower-snowden-not-welcome-in-uk