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ronnie624

(5,764 posts)

46. Since terrorism scarcely even rates as a threat to the average US citizen,

Sat Apr 11, 2015, 01:15 PM

Apr 2015

and the NSA's surveillance is directed primarily at Americans, it can be reasonably surmised, that its purpose is political in nature, and not necessarily to defend us against terrorism (a reversal of our completely self-serving policies would do far more). It serves the political power establishment, plain and simple, and its goal is to facilitate the continuance of the political/economic status quo.

What does economics have to do with politics? Only everything. The primary reason for a political power establishment, is drive the development of civilization and technology in whatever direction the establishment's values lie. Ideally, it would serve the interests of the common good, instead of a tiny fraction of the human population.

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Snowden statue points to divide in US society: Is he hero or traitor? [View all] Blue_Tires Apr 2015 OP

He performed an heroic act for the public good. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2015 #1

...! KoKo Apr 2015 #41

+1 840high Apr 2015 #52

+1 nt hifiguy Apr 2015 #53

I don't find him to be either. NCTraveler Apr 2015 #2

I find him to be both. BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #55

Well, he's a traitor to the secretive Homeland Security gestapo enabled by Cleita Apr 2015 #3

Neither. He's a confused kid (despite his true age) who dreamed of being a 'somebody'. randome Apr 2015 #4

He'sa courageous Whistle Blower. It is no surprise that young people are supportive of Whistle sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #22

I like to think of him as a misguided hero. n/t Dawgs Apr 2015 #5

For exposing that Bush's anti-Constitutional policies of massive spying on his own people is still sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #23

Not at all what I meant. Dawgs Apr 2015 #40

It also points to the ignorance and apathy of the American public. ronnie624 Apr 2015 #6

It shows that the Snowden/Greenwald/StandWithRand people are obsessed with Snowden. tridim Apr 2015 #7

Your post makes no sense to me. ronnie624 Apr 2015 #9

It's the posting equivalent of scratching a dog so their leg starts kicking. Marr Apr 2015 #16

Lol. ronnie624 Apr 2015 #19

Perfect... malokvale77 Apr 2015 #28

I'd be careful, those who point that out are not always innocent themselves. treestar Apr 2015 #45

Not in my experience. Marr Apr 2015 #60

YEP. And the always defend the establishment. Such an old and boring act they play. Rex Apr 2015 #71

It's about our RIGHTS and anyone who stands up for those rights WILL be supported by sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #24

Yep. 100% agree. eom BlueCaliDem Apr 2015 #56

How did Eddie get to be a hero on treestar Apr 2015 #44

Since terrorism scarcely even rates as a threat to the average US citizen, ronnie624 Apr 2015 #46

that's a wild assumption treestar Apr 2015 #47

I like to discuss the corruption of the power establishment in the US, ronnie624 Apr 2015 #54

I think some people are determined to find as much corruption as possible treestar Apr 2015 #59

And some are determined to play CYA for any corruption found, at all costs. Rex Apr 2015 #65

Legislation and policy establishment ronnie624 Apr 2015 #87

Well you will notice it is always the same players that play CYA for the CIA/NSA/FBI. Rex Apr 2015 #66

The CIA NSA FBI treestar Apr 2015 #75

Not always wrong, but with you always right. Rex Apr 2015 #76

neither. nt geek tragedy Apr 2015 #8

It's split between those who want to live in sunlight whatchamacallit Apr 2015 #10

Hero. n/t Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2015 #11

Hero. nt truebluegreen Apr 2015 #12

Hero ... like Ellsberg sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #25

Yes. truebluegreen Apr 2015 #38

Both? One_Life_To_Give Apr 2015 #13

i'll vote Hero Snow Leopard Apr 2015 #14

He's a patriot. AtomicKitten Apr 2015 #15

Considering the fact that officials were flat-out lying to Congress about these programs... Marr Apr 2015 #17

A hero who risked his life and paid a large price... Ron Obvious Apr 2015 #18

It's the old liberal/conservative divide. Liberals like whistleblowers, Zorra Apr 2015 #20

Which kind of makes one question... malokvale77 Apr 2015 #30

He's not a whistle-blower.. he's a hacker, a thief, a runner, an ignorant dumper of thousands of Cha Apr 2015 #21

Yep. Scratch the shiny media image ucrdem Apr 2015 #26

.. Cha Apr 2015 #35

Why is he hiding in Russia? Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #32

We know why he is in Russia, the US Government forced him to remain there by blocking him from sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #48

Hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #83

on number 3 - why is it that Glenn decreed the material too dangerous? treestar Apr 2015 #43

Did you support Bush when another Whistle Blower first exposed this massive spying on the American sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #49

Oh I don't know I guess I'd rather even Bush decide what should be classified treestar Apr 2015 #50

There are statues of Obama. There are statues of many other politicians. The statue of Snowden sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #58

I'd rather the President and Cabinet decide treestar Apr 2015 #62

Bush was not elected, both elections were stolen. Anyhow, never mind, I don't see the point of sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #63

he was elected treestar Apr 2015 #64

'when YOU lose'? I am a Democrat, why do you address Democrats as 'you'? Shouldn't the pronoun sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #67

Mask slipping a bit imo. Rex Apr 2015 #69

plane site? treestar Apr 2015 #74

Funny coming from you. Rex Apr 2015 #77

you are using the most extreme language possible treestar Apr 2015 #72

The election was stolen, the fact that only a small amount of people like yourself disagree Rex Apr 2015 #79

Are you saying that President Bush was not President Bush? Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #84

The SC are felons, five of them, not because people didn't 'like their decision', they are felons sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #86

'Whoever is elected, however that came about, is the choice of the people' Rex Apr 2015 #68

Because of the Electoral College? treestar Apr 2015 #73

Why do you deny facts like they are immature and childish. Rex Apr 2015 #78

Treestar! Cha Apr 2015 #81

Or none of the above? arcane1 Apr 2015 #27

Per the Pew poll, 18-29 year olds are evenly split on whether Snowden should be tried: ucrdem Apr 2015 #29

'Should be tried' is different from supporting his decision. Most people know he broke the law and sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #51

Most of the people under 30 years of age don't even know who Eddie is. Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #85

My only heros are my parents and grandparents. malokvale77 Apr 2015 #31

Neither. i think his leaks served the public interest. lovemydog Apr 2015 #33

Neither JonLP24 Apr 2015 #34

In this country? Most people don't know who he is or what he did. aikoaiko Apr 2015 #36

Snowden? Stellar Apr 2015 #37

Hero. /nt RiverLover Apr 2015 #39

One thing mysterious to me is treestar Apr 2015 #42

That's easy. *Hero*. But the more interesting question is this: Smarmie Doofus Apr 2015 #57

Yes. H2O Man Apr 2015 #61

Obviously he is a traitheror. nt Rex Apr 2015 #70

People who scream he's a whistleblower seem to always overlook that not only did he divulge Number23 Apr 2015 #80

Maybe a hero; definitely not a traitor. nt ZombieHorde Apr 2015 #82