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merrily

(45,251 posts)

106. He doesn't. Clapper works for him, though.

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 11:05 AM

Apr 2015

So does Eric Holder. And Obama's job is to execute the laws, which includes prosecuting wrongdoing, which the POTUS does through the D of J.

Clearly, Obama had plenty of recourse against Clapper for lying to Congress and clearly Obama did not want to do anything about that.

I make no judgement about whether that was right of Obama or wrong of Obama. Perhaps it would have been unjust to prosecute Clapper. One can make that argument. However, I also don't make the leap that disciplining or prosecuting Clapper means Obama has to run the country alone. According to a program I saw recently about security and the white house, 1700 people work inside the White House on a daily basis--and that's just the White House, not the Pentagon or the State Department or the D of J or Homeland Security or or or.

The President doesn't have to do much of anything on his own.

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4 reasons I'm thankful for Ed Snowden [View all] MannyGoldstein Apr 2015 OP

As we go forward...I bet it will be revealed that there's more that FOUR! K&R KoKo Apr 2015 #1

Anyone with even a moderate level of respect for the Constitution Maedhros Apr 2015 #2

Most people don't care YoungDemCA Apr 2015 #3

Seems that way RobertEarl Apr 2015 #7

No doubt that he was. zeemike Apr 2015 #14

(Fixed) Majority of people don't even know who Snowden is... TerrapinFlyer Apr 2015 #30

I'll bet that more Europeans know Snowden's name than Americans. bvar22 Apr 2015 #31

And yet, a majority of Americans polled believe that Snowden is a Whistle Blower NOT a sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #35

"And yet..."? The majority of Americans don't know who he is! Who is spinning? TerrapinFlyer Apr 2015 #37

Did you know that this is an adult forum? sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #84

Thank you for this post. The entire nation owes a debt to Snowden. woo me with science Apr 2015 #4

Thanks, woo me locks Apr 2015 #8

That interview was PRICELESS. Brilliant and Snowden was excellent, couldn't have been better if sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #36

+1 merrily Apr 2015 #51

thanks to you too, Manny grasswire Apr 2015 #5

Orwellian free-fall to fascism. nt Scrabbleddie Apr 2015 #6

You would not be a good purveyor of Democracy. randome Apr 2015 #9

The majority of U.S. citizens don't know squat about a lot of things. Luminous Animal Apr 2015 #13

. Rex Apr 2015 #24

Oliver's entire point was that we have not made an informed judgement on the subject, Marr Apr 2015 #25

So - Democracy means Snowden just just keep quiet, because you don't care? djean111 Apr 2015 #27

It's not just me who doesn't care what the NSA does with foreign communications. randome Apr 2015 #28

And you are upset because he gave an interview to a comedian on HBO and you were forced djean111 Apr 2015 #29

Who's upset? Just expressing my opinion, that's all. randome Apr 2015 #49

For someone who claims he doesn't care, bvar22 Apr 2015 #32

It's an interesting subject. randome Apr 2015 #50

Which, being such a small sample size, may be an obstacle towards objectivity. LanternWaste Apr 2015 #56

Of course, but at least I'm willing to admit that. randome Apr 2015 #59

Democracy is a form of government and no one stopped you from saying you don't care. merrily Apr 2015 #53

True, Democracy isn't the same as 'majority rules'. randome Apr 2015 #57

What you are basically saying is that most USians don't know and don't care. That really has nothing merrily Apr 2015 #58

Sure it does. We are in control of who our representatives are and what they do in our name. randome Apr 2015 #63

How does not knowing or caring who Snowden is mesh with controlling our representatives? merrily Apr 2015 #68

Yeah, well, that's more of a concept than reality, admittedly. (But I'm still sweet.) randome Apr 2015 #74

Oh, you'll think it's a "fair assessment" 10 years from now. elias49 Apr 2015 #87

DU is just a way to practice my debating skills. randome Apr 2015 #135

IOW, being ignorant about Snowden and the 4th Am. really has nothing to do with democracy or merrily Apr 2015 #94

I'm not saying that people are ignorant. randome Apr 2015 #131

You're perfectly fine to tell the government that you don't care if they violate your Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2015 #136

this thread.. navarth Apr 2015 #10

5. He showed the lengths "our" government will go to stifle dissent and whistleblowers. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2015 #11

I want Snowden to father my children. Buzz Clik Apr 2015 #12

The FSB, ISIS and China's Ministry of State Security are equally grateful Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #15

And what did they learn from Mr. Snowden MannyGoldstein Apr 2015 #17

Start here: Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #39

That's all you have? Oh snap. elias49 Apr 2015 #88

There's plenty more, but I'm not doing your research for you Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #89

I'm quite happy with Mr Snowden. elias49 Apr 2015 #90

It's not the responsibiity of anyone but you to do research to prove a claim you made. merrily Apr 2015 #96

Only the average American learned the things to which you linked. merrily Apr 2015 #95

"Islamic extremists are locked in a digital arms race with our intelligence services" ronnie624 Apr 2015 #100

Snowden gave NOTHING to those you claim. bvar22 Apr 2015 #33

But they have all benefited from the leaks Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #38

Thanks for retracting the false claim regarding who Snowden gave the documents to. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #40

I've never said he gave documents to anyone Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #43

If Snowden "indisputably showed files to some unnamed Chinese officials ", bvar22 Apr 2015 #45

there's a difference between "showed" and "handed over" Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #139

The US Government FORCED Snowden to be trapped in Russia. And give me some credible sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #92

Wonder if he helped Russia with their hacking???? nt kelliekat44 Apr 2015 #41

I wouldn't speculate that far, but Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #44

Tin Foil Hat time! bvar22 Apr 2015 #46

Insult away...Gimmie your best cracks... Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #48

Conspiracy theories belong in the speculation forum. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #93

I'm thankful for Snowden, too. RufusTFirefly Apr 2015 #16

Snowden Laid To Rest - Once And For All Time - That Our Government Cannot Be Trusted - Ever cantbeserious Apr 2015 #18

Very appropriate for a cemetary or War Memorial. bvar22 Apr 2015 #47

I will not paint a Halo on Snowden, but DonCoquixote Apr 2015 #19

I'm thankful for those very reasons too. My favorite thing about him Autumn Apr 2015 #20

It's a small consolation in lieu of having leaders who are honest and honorable, who have the GoneFishin Apr 2015 #21

He does make the authoritarians foam at the mouth. Which is both sad and entertaining. Rex Apr 2015 #26

They have become pathetic parodies of themselves. bvar22 Apr 2015 #34

This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc Apr 2015 #22

Citizen Four also clearly pointed out... Oilwellian Apr 2015 #23

Technically, 'lack of standing' rather than 'lack of proof.' Maedhros Apr 2015 #138

Lying to Congress was apparently fine with Congress. No investigation, msanthrope Apr 2015 #42

Agree totally, I didn't expect the WH to spank the CIA/NSA for bad behavior. Rex Apr 2015 #52

Which suggests that Senator Wyden understood that he asked a question that msanthrope Apr 2015 #55

Was General CLapper under oath that day he testified before Senator Wyden? bvar22 Apr 2015 #60

You do realize that a lie under oath isn't necessarily perjury, right? Which is why msanthrope Apr 2015 #65

Well, at least that is a step forward for you, bvar22 Apr 2015 #67

He may have. It doesn't matter though, does it, as Wyden and Congress msanthrope Apr 2015 #70

Do you really claim to know what Wyden et al were THINKING? bvar22 Apr 2015 #72

I wouldn't trust either one with a wooden nickle. I know mis has no love for Snowden. Rex Apr 2015 #75

I don't support Clapper. I'm just telling you what the law is. If you think Wyden was pressured by msanthrope Apr 2015 #99

Lying to Congress is against the law. merrily Apr 2015 #101

Indeed--one wonders why Congress didn't pursue the remedy they have at hand if they thought msanthrope Apr 2015 #102

Same thing could be said about the D of J. merrily Apr 2015 #103

Why would the DOJ usurp Congress? You have the process reversed. nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #107

It would not have been usurpation. They both had the ability. And Clapper is Obama's employee. merrily Apr 2015 #109

The DOJ cannot act in this matter without a referral. Also, the Congress declined to msanthrope Apr 2015 #114

True, well I don't think the POTUS should have to run the country by himself. Rex Apr 2015 #61

Obama does NOT do everything himslef. bvar22 Apr 2015 #64

When I say the POTUS, I mean his cabinet and advisers etc.. Rex Apr 2015 #66

His choices for cabinet... bvar22 Apr 2015 #71

You can't really say "no comment" when you are testifying. I think Clapper handled msanthrope Apr 2015 #69

Well 'imperial presidency' is a silly term that I hope nobody uses here on DU. Rex Apr 2015 #73

You won't find the words "Imperial Presidency" here. bvar22 Apr 2015 #78

Well sadly I resigned to the fact that all of that is over the heads of our upper level managers. Rex Apr 2015 #80

Wrong again, bvar22 Apr 2015 #76

What, precisely, is wrong? No.....you cannot say "No Comment" when testifying. msanthrope Apr 2015 #77

You can't say "no comment", bvar22 Apr 2015 #81

No--I don't support lying under oath. Not in any form. But it happens, and when it does, I msanthrope Apr 2015 #97

He doesn't. Clapper works for him, though. merrily Apr 2015 #106

Or maybe Wyden understood he asked a question to which Americans deserved an answer. merrily Apr 2015 #104

Wow--thanks autospeak--that should have read "DOJ notification." msanthrope Apr 2015 #111

Again, huh? merrily Apr 2015 #113

Are you unfamiliar with the process? nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #115

What process? merrily Apr 2015 #117

The process of prosecuting Clapper, right? I assume you would want him prosecuted, right? Now, msanthrope Apr 2015 #121

I understand the processes of DEALING with Clapper, if anyone wanted to deal with him. merrily Apr 2015 #125

So you want him "dealt" with, but not prosecuted? nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #127

Now, you're twisting words. You can read and your profession includes dealing precisely with words, merrily Apr 2015 #128

I am asking you what you want. A prosecution? nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #129

I did want a discussion. Apparently, that's not on the table, as usual. See you another time. merrily Apr 2015 #130

I am trying to have an honest discussion with you, but that's impossible if you refuse msanthrope Apr 2015 #132

Not true, but, again, this is way too boring and pointless for us to continue. merrily Apr 2015 #133

You started this discussion with me, merrily...and not for anything, but leaving the msanthrope Apr 2015 #134

Still can't believe Manny is beating this "clapper lied" dead horse. joshcryer Apr 2015 #79

Because what Clapper said was a lie? Octafish Apr 2015 #82

Yeah, but saying Obama is fine with liars. joshcryer Apr 2015 #83

So why state Clapper did not lie? Octafish Apr 2015 #85

I did not say that. joshcryer Apr 2015 #86

What is clearly true is that Clapper's lies were acceptable (or close to) to anyone merrily Apr 2015 #137

Those who would question Obaman's moral charatcer on this issue are ignorant of civics, or, even msanthrope Apr 2015 #98

Because civics teaches it's okay to lie to Congress? merrily Apr 2015 #105

Civics teaches you that this is purview of Congress. nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #108

Not at all. If so, it's a really lame civics course. merrily Apr 2015 #110

Actually, yes. It's called keeping the branches of gov't seperate. Congress declined to msanthrope Apr 2015 #112

Which branch employs Clapper? "I serve at the pleasure of the President." merrily Apr 2015 #116

Yes--and if Congress declines to investigate, what, precisely, is the Executive supposed to msanthrope Apr 2015 #119

What he is supposed to do is a different issue from what he can do. Separation of powers does NOT merrily Apr 2015 #120

Well--upthread you don't seem to be able to answer what you want Clapper prosecuted for. How about msanthrope Apr 2015 #122

So far, my posts are not the ones that need help. merrily Apr 2015 #123

I'm asking you upthread what you want. Please answer that upthread. nt msanthrope Apr 2015 #124

I just did. merrily Apr 2015 #126

and if you're the head of a powerful spy agency, you can get neverforget Apr 2015 #118

i would rather know about the spying than not know about it. merrily Apr 2015 #54

Excellent op. k&r. nt. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #62

Recommend! KoKo Apr 2015 #91