General Discussion

ChisolmTrailDem

(9,463 posts) Wed May 28, 2014, 03:00 PM May 2014

Ok, I'm stepping into the Snowden discussion for the first time... [View all]

I've made a couple of minor comments but I haven't substantially participated in the duscussion of Edward Snowden. But today's coverage of his interview with Brian Williams to be aired in full tonight at 10pm Eastern has gotten me to thinking.

I has occured to me that Snowden has given up his country for what seems so far to be little gain for his effort in blowing the whistle on NSA spying on American citizens. Glen Greenwald has said the best is yet to come. It seems to me that, so far, what has been revealed of the 1,000,000 plus documents acquired by Snowden doesn't seem to have been worth it. So, is there something else that will justify giving up your country for the remainder of your life to live in Russia, of all places? And if there isn't, why does someone do that? Give up their country? For a few dollars? Some warped demonization and hatred of the federal government, as held by Libertarians?

It doesn't make sense to me. What is the ultimate payoff to lose your country. So far, it doesn't seem to have been worth it.

66 replies

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Ok, I'm stepping into the Snowden discussion for the first time... [View all] ChisolmTrailDem May 2014 OP

I wonder if people said that to Patrick Henry.. grasswire May 2014 #1

Oh yeah. Comrade Snowie's just like Patrick Henry. Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #3

......and John Adams and Thomas Jefferson...... Cali_Democrat May 2014 #6

and don't forget the bebe jesus.... Whisp May 2014 #7

lol treestar May 2014 #12

Can you say "Patrick Henry" in Russian? Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #15

History will tell the tale. grasswire May 2014 #14

You're right about one thing. We'll all be dead. Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #19

Snowden is no John Adams, Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry karynnj May 2014 #18

He didn't swear an oath. He signed an employment contract with Booz Allen Luminous Animal May 2014 #29

That was not his only job and he had a security clearance karynnj May 2014 #38

His oath was to Constitution. What he signed was an employment agreement. Luminous Animal May 2014 #62

Geez, man! Get a grip! Maedhros May 2014 #41

Indeed. Though FYI, I am a woman. Luminous Animal May 2014 #63

I was imagining that post in the voice of a crazed Scotsman. Maedhros May 2014 #64

I'm of a mind that crazed Scotswomen will save the world. Luminous Animal May 2014 #65

I would not doubt it! [n/t] Maedhros May 2014 #66

PAtrick Henry weren't no Double Naught Spy! MohRokTah May 2014 #34

Isn't he Paul Revere??? nt msanthrope May 2014 #47

Well we don't know what Greenwald is holding back el_bryanto May 2014 #2

You forget that it was a major issue from late 2007 until August 2008 karynnj May 2014 #21

Hurt us, by exposing our bad acts. Maedhros May 2014 #42

So good of you -- karynnj May 2014 #46

I'll buy the shift in foreign policy when I see it happen. Maedhros May 2014 #49

some people give up their lives Enrique May 2014 #4

That's my point though, the NSA thing just doesn't seem to have been worth it. nt ChisolmTrailDem May 2014 #9

The NSA disagrees with you. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2014 #5

I understand what you are saying. Skidmore May 2014 #8

Great comment, Skidmore. Thank you. nt ChisolmTrailDem May 2014 #11

I know the feeling. I don't trust any side on this topic. arcane1 May 2014 #28

The very reasons why I don't often respond to the Skidmore May 2014 #33

With no guarantee that the Russians will always let you live there treestar May 2014 #10

I'm guessing the backstory would do John Le Carre proud. ucrdem May 2014 #13

If Snowden accomplished anything it was to wake people up.......... wandy May 2014 #16

When it came out of the shadows it wasn't such a mess anymore ucrdem May 2014 #17

I don't think I understand how it isn't such a mess anymore......... wandy May 2014 #20

It is not every phone conversation --- it is the billing record of the call karynnj May 2014 #22

So I am told. Ho Hum.............. wandy May 2014 #24

rt.com -- reason enough not to click karynnj May 2014 #25

I could be snark and say something like Fox is the only reliable source of news....... wandy May 2014 #27

Or for that matter, why... Jamaal510 May 2014 #40

Ya know, I did forget to mention that............ wandy May 2014 #45

There's a reason rt.com ain't allowed in LBN. Just sayin' Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #35

LBN? OK, I give up, whats LBN? Other than that.............. wandy May 2014 #43

LBN = Late Breaking News. randome May 2014 #48

I can see why one would not want RT there......... wandy May 2014 #57

it's not a mess anymore Enrique May 2014 #36

Obama signed the legislation and pushed for it ucrdem May 2014 #56

Guy blows whistle ... GeorgeGist May 2014 #23

In his books Walter Lord noted that on the Titanic.... Pholus May 2014 #26

Excellent post. scarletwoman May 2014 #51

Quick, somebody call him a misogynist! mindwalker_i May 2014 #30

Greenwald is going to explicitly name names Aerows May 2014 #31

No one has a problem with what he disclosed domestically. Benton D Struckcheon May 2014 #32

You make up stories as well as any contributor to Faux News. BillZBubb May 2014 #37

I deal only in facts. Benton D Struckcheon May 2014 #39

I will feel free to ignore you, forever. Maedhros May 2014 #44

there was clearly an overwhelming benefit to russia pitohui May 2014 #50

He even hates leakers, as when he said they should be shot in the balls. randome May 2014 #52

his supporters dont want to visit the racist anti-liberal elephant in the room pitohui May 2014 #53

There was a benefit for Russia, but also to Glen Greenwald. Why he did not wait until he was in a lostincalifornia May 2014 #55

snowden is not as smart as many paint him. He should have secured an asylum in a country first that lostincalifornia May 2014 #54

how do you know he didn't pitohui May 2014 #58

That is possible lostincalifornia May 2014 #61

I will alert the media!!! nt Logical May 2014 #59

Please explain. Thank you. nt ChisolmTrailDem May 2014 #60