Edward Snowden, 29, is now a hunted man. The media this morning has moved from the shock over the massive surveillance of citizens to attacking Snowden as a leaker. Indeed, this morning, CNN’s Senior Legal Analyst Jeff Toobin denounced Snowden as a “clown” and someone who should be denounced. Toobin and I have been disagreeing a great deal lately. While I respect Jeff Toobin, I was surprised last week when he defended aspects of the investigation of journalists and later the massive surveillance programs. However, I was taken aback by the attack on Snowden. There certainly is a basis for criminal investigation — a point no one denies. He will have to answer for any violation of his clearance agreement and national security laws. However, it is the tenor and shift of the comments this morning that so surprised me. Rather than continue the debate of the loss of privacy, political and media figures are focusing on Snowden rather than the programs. You can disagree with his methods just as you can disagree with Julian Assange. However, there is an obvious effort to (like Assange) make him look unbalanced and dangerous. The story appears more complex. This is a man who gave up a $200,000 a year job and his likely freedom to reveal something that he felt the public should know about in the interest of privacy. You can disagree with his method, but few of his critics would even consider such a sacrifice for principle. Yet, the coverage this morning is largely on how to catch him and punish him. Over the weekend, the White House said it would find the person responsible and punish him. Snowden then self-disclosed his identity.
Ironically, President Barack Obama told the public that he was happy that we could have this debate over the balancing of privacy and security. However, he wants the person responsible for that debate to be prosecuted. Without Snowden, the program would have remained secret and no debate would likely have occurred. While aspects of these programs were previously discussed in 2006, this was the first confirmation of the programs from the government.
U.S. Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, called Snowden “a defector” and said “this person is dangerous to the country.” That is the new spin: the “high school dropout” and “clown” who fled to Hong Kong. Indeed, many news outlets are focusing on the fact that he allegedly had a $300 night hotel in Hong Kong before checking out. (Anyone who has traveled to Hong Kong will tell you that this expense for a room is not uncommon and it is certainly not “one of the priciest” rooms for the city). Much of the focus will be on Snowden and his case as opposed to the massive surveillance program. Many believe, like Snowden, that the greater danger to the country is the loss of privacy — as discussed in my column today in USA Today. What is clear is that this massive security state, and its contractors, are irate about these leaks, which have given critical information to the public that has long been denied to it by its elected representatives. It is a closed system that is represented vividly by Booz Allen. The current head of national intelligence (Clapper) is a former company executive. The prior intelligence head is now leading the company. It is part of a security state that generates hundreds of billions of dollars and we are the subject of their work under these and other programs. They do not like people causing the public to ask questions.
Snowden acted from within this closed system. We have a democratic system that seems entirely unconnected to the public. From the continuation of our fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to warrantless surveillance, the views of the public seem entirely immaterial to our leaders. They offer rhetorical responses but largely act within a system controlled by two parties and their leaders. Congress itself has proven, yet again, to be entirely disinterested in civil liberties or privacy values. The courts have refused to hear dozens of public interest lawsuits seeking review of such programs. In this environment, whistleblowers often feel that they have no recourse but to go to the media. Of course, this Administration has not only attacked privacy but the free press in the recent scandals.
What is striking is the anger directed at Snowden from the media. He will be held accountable for any crime, but he is also someone who acted at great peril to himself. I do not believe that that makes him a “clown” and I hope that some attention will remain on the attack on privacy represented by these programs.
What do you think?
Jill 1, June 10, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Lotta Katz,
I think this is one of the most important piece of information in this story. The complete, interlocking directory between large, extremely secretive, private contract firms and the govt.
IMO, they are one and that is incredibly dangerous. It is my belief that one reason our public “servants” remain unaccountable to the people is this interconnection with the shadow govt., or deep state.
===============================
The Privatization Empire.
Off Topic:
Supreme Court Ends Torture Lawsuit Against Donald Rumsfeld
06/10/13
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/10/supreme-court-donald-rumsfeld_n_3415124.html
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from two American whistleblowers who claim U.S. forces tortured them in Iraq and who want to sue former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
The justices’ action Monday leaves in place a federal appeals court ruling that found Rumsfeld cannot be held liable for actions taken by subordinates that may have crossed legal bounds.
The two men are Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel, who say they were detained and tortured after they accused an Iraqi-owned company for which they worked of illegally running guns. They argued Rumsfeld personally approved interrogation methods for use by the U.S. military in Iraq, making him responsible for what happened to them during several weeks they were held in military camps.
Daniel Ellsberg: NSA Leaker Showed Battlefield Courage
by Eyder Peralta
June 10, 2013 9:14 AM
(with video)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/10/190320993/daniel-ellsberg-nsa-leaker-showed-battlefield-courage
Ellsberg went to trial but the charges against him were dismissed when the judge found evidence the Nixon White House “had agents break into the office of Ellsberg’s psychiatrist in a search for ways to discredit him.”
Ellsberg said that from what he’s heard about Snowden, the 29-year-old is willing — like he was — to give up his life for the good of the country.
But Ellsberg wonders if it could really be a crime for someone to expose a practice he says violates the constitution.
Yes, you can ignore me but I’m not the one greeting you on the highway or at the airport with latex gloves on.
It’s easy to see the future, it wears latex gloves & has a sticky middle finger. 😉
mespo at 11:18
I concur!
KUDOs to you – for saying so….
Calm down Otteray (though I did have to chuckle on bass fiddle)
As a yid, I’ve come to learn that there’s only one way to deal with ignorance (such as our infamous Mr. B over at DK) –
you “ignore” them.
They feed on the banter and delight in being contrary….
Lotta Katz,
I think this is one of the most important piece of information in this story. The complete, interlocking directory between large, extremely secretive, private contract firms and the govt.
IMO, they are one and that is incredibly dangerous. It is my belief that one reason our public “servants” remain unaccountable to the people is this interconnection with the shadow govt., or deep state.
Oops typo:
OS, I hear you.
I wanted to make that clear.
Hong Kong Seen as Likely to Extradite Leaker if U.S. Asks
By KEITH BRADSHER
Published: June 10, 2013
HONG KONG — In choosing Hong Kong as an initial place to take refuge from the United States government, the National Security Agency contractor who has acknowledged leaking documents has selected a jurisdiction where it may be possible to delay extradition but not avoid it, legal and law enforcement experts here said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/world/asia/edward-snowden-hong-kong-extradition.html?ref=global-home&_r=0
OS, I here you.
And I also read some of your stuff.
I don’t think you like a lot of the policies/actions you’re seeing either.
Bottling up outrage when open outrage is called for is not an admirable quality as we witness from the founders, so much so they fought a bloody revolution war over the very Rights we attempt to today respectful discuss.
If I get kicked off this msg bb I can assure you I’ll been attempting to argue principle & not an ad hominem attack.
For now I’ll withdraw my view Swarthmore mom past comments are in line with supportive of behavior of the Nazis past on your & a few other posters opinions that she’s not supportive of any, in any way, of those type policies here now in the US or Germany of the 30s/40s.
Jill,
I completely agree. (I found it to be a perfect example of the kind of propaganda that keeps so many in line… And the Washington Post features it.)
Professor Turley;
For one who so consistently points out the bad faith – I find your “insight” into the propaganda machine of main stream (even of Toobin) to be (at the best) obtuse to the reality.
Main stream media has been, and shall continue to be, the mouthpiece of special interests of the elite. No more and most assuredly, nothing less.
You, Democratic Underground, WordPress, Blogger and U.S. are now the real media outlets. While many things of Snowden, Assange and Manning are specious at best; what they represent is not mystifying.
Our country is in dire need of the News organization owner that Anthony Hopkins portrayed in ‘Joe Black’ –
one which tells it like it is – unbiased and unvarnished….
From blawg article: “What is clear is that this massive security state, and its contractors, are irate about these leaks, …. It is a closed system that is represented vividly by Booz Allen. The current head of national intelligence (Clapper) is a former company executive. The prior intelligence head is now leading the company. It is part of a security state that generates hundreds of billions of dollars and we are the subject of their work under these and other programs. They do not like people causing the public to ask questions.”
***
This is a list of notable members and alumni of Booz Allen Hamilton, a veritable who’s who of government/corporate incest. The list is from Wikipedia, the entry on work performed for Homeland Security is notable for the tiny peek at government contracting in the wake of 9-11 and financial rewards involved for contractors. Mr. Snowden has meddled with the primal forces of nature and it will not be tolerated.
Government (alums and members):
Wendy Alexander – Labour Party Leader and Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).[61][62]
Thad Allen – former Coast Guard Admiral Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Miles Axe Copeland, Jr. – a prominent U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative who was one of the founding members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) under William Donovan.
Karol Joseph “Bo” Bobko – Retired United States Air Force officer and a former USAF and NASA astronaut.[63]
James R. Clapper – Director of National Intelligence, formally Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Lieutenant General in the US Air Force[64]
Keith R. Hall – Director, National Reconnaissance Office (1997–2001); formerly Executive Director for Intelligence Community Affairs[64]
Steve Isakowitz – Department of Energy Chief Financial Officer. Former Deputy Associate Administrator, NASA, 2002-2005[65][66][67][68]
William Benjamin “Bill” Lenoir (Ph.D.) – Former NASA astronaut.
George E. Little – Media Relations, Central Intelligence Agency (2007-)
John M. McConnell – Director of National Intelligence (2007–2009); formerly Director of the National Security Agency (1992–96); retired in 1996 as Vice Admiral, United States Navy[69]
Todd Park, current Chief Technology Officer of the United States and former CTO of the Department of Health and Human Services
Zoran Jolevski – Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in the US.
Thomas S. Moorman Jr. – Commander, Air Force Space Command (1990–92); Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force (1994–1997)
Michael C. Mullen – Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Patrick Gorman – Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Assistant Deputy Director National Intelligence (ADDNI), Strategy, Plans, and Policy, ODNI [2]
Andrew Turnbull – Member, House of Lords (upper Parliament), United Kingdom (2005-); Head of British Civil Service (2002–2005)
Melissa Hathaway – Director, National Cyber Security Initiative
General Frederick Frank Woerner, Jr. – Retired United States Army general and former commander of United States Southern Command.
R. James Woolsey, Jr. – Director of Central Intelligence (1993–95)
Dov Zakheim – Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) (2001–04)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booz_Allen_Hamilton
The readings have been more fun than watching fish get shot in a barrel….
Thanks Jill…. You’ve been part of making it a great day…
Anon posted,
That article is just string of one fabrication after another. It’s the big lie, repeated again and again. Each of his arguments has been thoroughly refuted.
And yes, many on the right are fully on board with a surveillance state. They loved it under Bush and they love it under Obama. However, we can see that authoritarians come from every party. After 9/11 most of the nation was on board w/draconian executive powers and supported the invasion of Iraq. After about 2004-2006 most people, both right and left, had turned against the invasion and sweeping executive powers. People were even repudiating torture. Now–They’re all BACCK!
It is my contention that no one can change deeply held ethical positions one a dime the way people in our nation did. Either these are not deeply held ethical positions and/or the propaganda is so effective it is able to turn people away from their own intellect and ethical values.
Snowden is a national (maybe international) hero! We need a hundred of him lifting the veil on the programs we pay for but are denied information on. I’m donating to his legal defence fund.
It could be very simple for many by just making a simple statement right here or on the WH petitions list.
IE: I ___________, strongly suspect & believe, by the evidence I’ve viewed, that Obama, people in his administration & others around them have & are currently engaged in international & domestic war crimes & crimes against humanity.
That they should be removed from their govt. or private positions immediately & that a special counsel should be appointed to see to it they receive a fair public trial for the crimes they stand accused of.
Or we can all just keep sticking our heads in the sand & ignore everything as most Americas have since well before Nixon.
Oky1,
It is clear to me you would not recognize a real Nazi if one hit you in the rear with a bass fiddle. As for the personal attacks, I will repeat what has been said here before by others. There is only one real basic rule for participating on this site. Keep it civil. No personal attacks. Argue the logic or comment, but when you make it personal by name-calling and insults, that is the bright line.
“The govt. is trying to control the discourse so they can keep their policies in place.” -Jill
Featured piece in the Washington Post:
Big Brother isn’t watching you
By Marc A. Thiessen, Monday, June 10, 9:26 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-leaks-not-the-nsa-programs-deserve-condemnation/2013/06/10/e91d09ac-d1c9-11e2-a73e-826d299ff459_story.html
Well, without interrogations or signals intelligence, how exactly is he supposed to protect the country?
Unfortunately, some on the right are joining the cacophony of condemnation from the New York Times and MSNBC. The programs exposed in these leaks did not begin on Barack Obama’s watch. When Obama continues a Bush-era counterterrorism policy, it is not an outrage — it is a victory.
And when those programs are exposed by leaks, it is not whistleblowing — it’s a felony.
Marc Thiessen writes a weekly column for The Post on foreign and domestic policy and contributes to the PostPartisan blog. He is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Thiessen served as a chief speechwriter to President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and before that as a senior aide to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms. He is the author of “Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe and How Barack Obama Is Inviting the Next Attack” (2010).
Blouise, Maybe the tornadoes in Oklahoma, too…. i do believe in climate change.