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.
Elaine M. 1, August 8, 2013 at 5:42 pm
N.S.A. Said to Search Content of Messages to and From U.S.
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
Published: August 8, 2013
…
==================================
Thanks.
I saw that too on HuffPo and my comment was “who knew?”
They have been doing this for at least a decade.
They read everything as other whistleblowers have revealed.
What they use it for is the J.Edgar Hoover part.
They use it to intimidate folks like Rep. Lewis into compliance.
Two videos of two NSA whistleblowers follow:
Elaine,
interesting article, but is it just me or do assurances from the NSA just sound a little hollow?
Let my comment go… It only had one link, no cuss wordies. 🙂
Elain M.
But, but, but I thought President Obama went on Jay Leno to set the record straight. The day before Jay Leno, the DEA was implicated in spying on Americans via NSA. The day after Leno, we learn the President was lying…
Oh, and then there’s this:
Et Tu, IRS? Tax Agency Also Using Secret Spy Data?
Reuters reports IRS manual detailed DEA’s use of hidden intel evidence
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/08/08-0
– Jon Queally, staff writer
Thursday, August 8, 2013 by Common Dreams
Then apology retracted as your offense was not at my words.
However, I’m not prone to taking PC language policing into consideration wherever it comes from. Whore-coward. Sellout-spineless. Differing value loads but essentially still the same idea. One set is more insulting than the other, but offense is personal and subjective. The idea is relevant. The possibilities remain valid.
Still, you have not answered the question.
Do you have any reasonable explanation of his about face other than spinelessness, selling out, partisanship or political blackmail?
Those are all I can think of other than genuine change of heart and as I said that just doesn’t pass the smell test.
Your initial response indicated that we are in line with the probability being political blackmail. That still does not eliminate the possibility it is simple partisanship, cowardice or selling out. Until all possibilities are ruled out but one, they remain possibilities of varying degrees of probability. Given Lewis’ record and the nature of the domestic spying scandal itself, this is why I tend to weight the probability of political blackmail higher than the others. Even then, that may not negate Lewis’ culpability depending entirely upon what leverage is being used against him (as stipulated). That does not, however, eliminate the other possibilities.
Only answering the question “why did Lewis recant” reveals that information.
Darren,
Been there done that. Keep up the good work.
N.S.A. Said to Search Content of Messages to and From U.S.
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
Published: August 8, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/us/broader-sifting-of-data-abroad-is-seen-by-nsa.html?_r=0
Excerpt;
WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency is searching the contents of vast amounts of Americans’ e-mail and text communications into and out of the country, hunting for people who mention information about foreigners under surveillance, according to intelligence officials.
The N.S.A. is not just intercepting the communications of Americans who are in direct contact with foreigners targeted overseas, a practice that government officials have openly acknowledged. It is also casting a far wider net for people who cite information linked to those foreigners, like a little used e-mail address, according to a senior intelligence official.
While it has long been known that the agency conducts extensive computer searches of data it vacuums up overseas, that it is systematically searching — without warrants — through the contents of Americans’ communications that cross the border reveals more about the scale of its secret operations.
It also adds another element to the unfolding debate, provoked by the disclosures of Edward J. Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor, about whether the agency has infringed on Americans’ privacy as it scoops up e-mails and phone data in its quest to ferret out foreign intelligence.
Government officials say the cross-border surveillance was authorized by a 2008 law, the FISA Amendments Act, in which Congress approved eavesdropping on domestic soil without warrants as long as the “target” was a noncitizen abroad. Voice communications are not included in that surveillance, the senior official said.
Asked to comment, Judith A. Emmel, an N.S.A. spokeswoman, did not directly address surveillance of cross-border communications. But she said the agency’s activities were lawful and intended to gather intelligence not about Americans but about “foreign powers and their agents, foreign organizations, foreign persons or international terrorists.”
“In carrying out its signals intelligence mission, N.S.A. collects only what it is explicitly authorized to collect,” she said. “Moreover, the agency’s activities are deployed only in response to requirements for information to protect the country and its interests.”
Hints of the surveillance appeared in a set of rules, leaked by Mr. Snowden, for how the N.S.A. may carry out the 2008 FISA law. One paragraph mentions that the agency “seeks to acquire communications about the target that are not to or from the target.” The pages were posted online by the newspaper The Guardian on June 20, but the telltale paragraph, the only rule marked “Top Secret” amid 18 pages of restrictions, went largely overlooked amid other disclosures.
“I’m sorry if you’re offended by a personal acquaintance being taken to task, Blouise, but do you have any reasonable explanation of his about face other than spinelessness, selling out, partisanship or political blackmail? Given the abrupt and total reversal of his stance, a legitimate change of heart just doesn’t pass the smell test.” (Gene H)
Admirable spin and please, let me be the one to be sorry for not making it clear for you … the offense has nothing to do with the acquaintance but with Darren’s word … whorecoward. Strange that even after Elaine’s explanation you still don’t understand. My criticism of Lewis is upthread.at 11:30am.
Here is the link to LavaBit that AP mentioned.
Darren,
That is a very compelling story. Congrats on being a man of principle.
John Lewis is yet another in a long line of pliably supine congressional turd stains.
What would Martin Luther King Jr. think of John Lewis’ actions?
Jill,
We waited and watched a man retract his words… What should we wait some more for?
Oaths of Office are to be taken lightly? Members of Congress seem to think so.
Even Mr. Lewis acts accordingly. So what is we torture? So what if we spy on Americans w/out warrants? So what if we wave due process for politically expedient murders? So what if we jail innocent men for a decade or more and then torture them some more just for acting out (hunger strike) for their unconstitutional treatment? So what that the Executive branch (DOJ inc.) won’t release the FISA court findings of unconstitutionality behind the NSA letters?
John Lewis approach, along with 99% of Congress is a big fat, a Hillary Clinton so eloquently put it, “SO WHAT?” Or was that Dick Cheney?
Max-1,
I understand what you are saying. I am saying, wait and see what Lewis does. He has shown courage in past actions. He might do it again or the threat could be one he simply feels he cannot go against. A third option is he is a rank coward. I don’t know which is the correct interpretation.
No matter the case, it is a good to keep condemning the idea that Snowden should come home for a trial. The corollary to civil disobedience is a fair trial for ones’ crimes. Snowden has NO chance of getting that in the US.
We also should not support any person, for whatever reason, who will not work for the rule of law. If he was threatened with something horrible happening to a loved one, I am sorry. Nevertheless, we should not work on his or anyone’s behalf unless they actually come through for the rule of law.
Elaine, Fair enough on Deen. I see your intentions were honorable and not a distraction. That was a very contentious thread, I know. I mostly just read it.
Regarding “whore.” As I said, I won’t call him that unless there’s proof he got something in return for his flip. That’s the way DC works, but I need proof to use that inflammatory word. What he did was cowardly. I suppose I could say he’s “wasn’t brave” instead of saying he was a “coward.” However, as stated previously, no one has specifically objected to that word yet.
Nick – you are correct. I was thinking more of the renewals once we had all seen it in practice but you make a good point – everyone signed on originally as is human nature when we are afraid.
Long ago, circa 2002, I realized what the Patriot Act and our Government was doing to Our Bill of Rights, and came up with this meme, based on the current D.C. beltway meme of 9/11, terrorism, Homeland Security State. It goes like this:
R E M E M B E R:
“They hate us for our Freedoms”…
… So Congress legislated those Freedoms away.
on a side note: What’s an Oath of Office for?
So Mr. Lewis now takes the stand that Snowden should come home and face the music… What (c)RAP!
Will John Lewis face the music as to how he, and other members of Congress have sold our Bill of Rights away?
Will John Lewis face the music of being a coconspirator to the systematic usurpation of our Rights?
Will John Lewis face the music that comes with IMPEACHMENT of the Highest Officials in this Government and actually place his own Articles of Impeachment for Barack H. Obama onto the House Floor?
Well?
Darren, Thanks for standing up in your own case.
It may be that Lewis doesn’t have courage or it may be that the nature of the threat was so deleterious (say towards a child) that he gave in rather than risk harm.
I wish Lewis and everyone else who is threatened by this govt. would just come out and say so. It would be the safest thing that people could do. A govt. who threatens people isn’t easy to brake. However, sometimes they will stop when exposed. If the govt. threatened him with some wrongdoing I hope he will reconsider and just lay it out, come what may.
In the meantime, we citizens need to keep our eye on the ball. This govt. is out of control, acting unlawfully up to including committing murder and torture. We need to keep saying this is wrong, keep up pressure against this lawlessness. I think this govt. is really scared that things are coming out from under their control. It seems like a really good time to keep pushing back.
Dangerous times…
Lavabit, email service Snowden reportedly used, abruptly shuts down
by Xeni Jardin at 12:05 pm Thu, Aug 8, 2013
http://boingboing.net/2013/08/08/lavabit-email-service-snowden.html
Remember when word circulated that Edward Snowden was using Lavabit, an email service that purports to provide better privacy and security for users than popular web-based free services like Gmail? Lavabit’s owner has shut down service, with a mysterious message posted on the lavabit.com home page today. Below, the full message:
My Fellow Users,
I have been forced to make a difficult decision: to become complicit in crimes against the American people or walk away from nearly ten years of hard work by shutting down Lavabit. After significant soul searching, I have decided to suspend operations. I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision. I cannot. I feel you deserve to know what’s going on–the first amendment is supposed to guarantee me the freedom to speak out in situations like this. Unfortunately, Congress has passed laws that say otherwise. As things currently stand, I cannot share my experiences over the last six weeks, even though I have twice made the appropriate requests.
What’s going to happen now? We’ve already started preparing the paperwork needed to continue to fight for the Constitution in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. A favorable decision would allow me resurrect Lavabit as an American company.
This experience has taught me one very important lesson: without congressional action or a strong judicial precedent, I would _strongly_ recommend against anyone trusting their private data to a company with physical ties to the United States.
Sincerely,
Ladar Levison
Owner and Operator, Lavabit LLC
Defending the constitution is expensive! Help us by donating to the Lavabit Legal Defense Fund here.
“If you quote me, it’s a lie” Newt Gingrich
… Nuf said!