The degree of pressure on reporters and politicians from the White House and Democratic leadership in the Snowden controversy was in full and embarrassing view yesterday when Rep. John Lewis walked back from an interview that he gave to the Guardian praising Snowden. He appears not to have gotten the memo: Snowden is not to be praised in the media or by members of Congress. Various reporters and new organizations have held the line in mocking Snowden or refusing to call him a “whistleblower” rather than a “leaker.” After all, the fear seems to be that Snowden has to be a traitor or Obama would look like a tyrant.
Lewis is quoted as comparing Snowden to those who engaged in civil disobedience in the the civil rights movement and said that Snowden may have felt that he had to follow a “higher law.” Many of course believe Snowden was defending the Constitution and view him as a hero.
Lewis noted that “[s]ome people say criminality or treason or whatever. He could say he was acting because he was appealing to a higher law. Many of us have some real, real, problems with how the government has been spying on people.” He is quoted as comparing Snowden to figures like Gandhi. However, such views are not supposed to be uttered, particularly by a Democrat.
Lewis seem to be frog marched back before cameras within 24 hours and denied everything short of his name, rank, and serial number: “News reports about my interview with The Guardian are misleading, and they do not reflect my complete opinion. Let me be clear. I do not agree with what Mr. Snowden did. He has damaged American international relations and compromised our national security. He leaked classified information and may have jeopardized human lives. That must be condemned.”
Whew, that was close. Snowden is back being a traitor and Lewis is back on script.
By the way, as some of our commentators have noted, Happy Whistleblower Day. While the Senate passed the resolution below, I expect that they view the day as referring to a dog whistle that only they can hear:
By a unanimous resolution the U.S. Senate declared July 30, 2013 as “National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.” The National Whistleblowers Center strongly supports the Senate’s historic action and calls on every American reflect upon the tremendous contributions whistleblowers have made to American democracy, as well as the struggles and sacrifices they have endured By a unanimous resolution the U.S. Senate declared July 30, 2013 as “National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.” The National Whistleblowers Center strongly supports the Senate’s historic action and calls on every American reflect upon the tremendous contributions whistleblowers have made to American democracy, as well as the struggles and sacrifices they have endured.
Too bad all of “our” representatives do not have the backbone to say what they really believe. Too bad all of “our” representatives took an oath to protect the constitution and do not nothing to stop its gutting.
“I did, however, acknowledge that money for principles was indeed still a possible explanation of Lewis’ behavior until proven otherwise.” (Gene H)
Lewis’s net worth is approx. $64,000 compared to the average of $5,000,000 for Democratic Representatives … of course that’s not really proof of anything. Who knows, at the age of 74 he could have decided it was time to get rich quick. That would certainly be in keeping with Darren’s whorecoward characterization of the man.
” … Joe the Plumber (the clueless American)” (SOTD)
Now wait just a gall dern minute there … Joe the Plumber, Tea Party Favorite Son and political overnight sensation, ran for Congress in my district in 2012. Why in the city of Lakewood he lost in every single one of their 41 precincts … while throughout the district he lost with a whopping 23% of the vote.
Clueless Americans everywhere are insulted by your comparison.
What an odd thing for Gene H to say: “until proven otherwise”.
Proof? Proof? This thread has long lost any need for proof
A giant helping of sanctimonious outrage combined with the insight of Lemont Kranston will have to suffice.
Gene,
I didn’t mean to imply that you had. Still, there are others who believe Snowden is a whistle blower who DID call Lewis a whore on this thread.
I didn’t call Lewis a whore. I stipulated that pols in general are whores and those who voted against reigning in the Patriot Act along the lines of their comparatively larger “campaign contributions” from the defense industry are whores. I did, however, acknowledge that money for principles was indeed still a possible explanation of Lewis’ behavior until proven otherwise.
Gene,
I think Snowden is a whistleblower, too. Still, I would not call Rep. Lewis a whore.
Well i guess I should be thankful that Nick’s thoughtful, on-the-fly, but oh so compelling and rationally based, “hypotheticals” did not include a scenario wherein the honored congressman was caught in bed with a six-year old providing the WH with yet another kudgel with which to blackmail that pervert.
And I am also thankful that Mr. Smith never had to throw himself upon a grenade saving four beloved comrades from certain death at the hands of the Nazis thereby providing yet another life-story comparison to the cowardly whore, Rep. Lewis.
And here’s to Eric who never meant to offend Rep. Lewis by calling him a whore because he didn’t mean THAT kind of whore. He only meant the unprincipled kind.
Carry on villagers. The torches are still burning brightly and are still capable of destroying any reason left in this blog.
Noted exceptions: Blouise, Elaine and SwMom.
Okay. I’ve rethought Snowden and I still think his actions were heroic and he’s a whistleblower, not a traitor. Trying to avoid the consequences an unjust and arguably illegitimate government would seek to impose upon him for exposing their crimes and treasons isn’t so much cowardly as it is smart. The rule of law argument applies only when the rule of law is in play and I think at this point that the government has thrown the rule of law under the bus is manifest.
Yay! I finally got to disagree with Mike A. on something. 😀
And Grover rocks.
Nick,
Anyone with the capacity to see beyond partisianshit knows that’s the evils done know no party…… No race, no nothing….. Except loyalty to the folks that control the moola, hence the Gulag…..