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.
This is how you stand up to your blackmailers…
… You go on the House Floor and enter your grievances into the National record. No backtracking needed.
Rep. Grayson on NSA Surveillance: American As Apple Spy
Dredd,
If its political blackmail, illegal as it is, why would Mr. Lewis cover for his blackmailers? Questioning minds want to know…
Gene H.
I wasn’t mixing. I got what you said. I’m in full agreement with you. My point wasn’t to rub your nose in anything, my point was for other readers to question their “loyalties”. I suppose I could have put President Christie or President Paul. They would all be forced by Bush to continue to violate our Rights?
The captain of the ship is NOT in charge of the course plotted out? I think “we” think otherwise… others, not so much. That is all.
Gene H. 1, August 8, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Interesting stuff from Tice, Dredd.
Further makes me think Lewis is a case of political blackmail.
Damn Harry Truman for setting up the NSA and damn Congress and the Bush Administration for taking them off their leash.
================================
Yep.
Tice had in his hands material on Obama, Supreme Court Justices, other judges, and congress people.
That is the J. Edgar Hoover way of running Stalingrad.
… a la Eschelon
Has the Gov’t Lied on Snooping? Let’s Go to the Videotape
Max,
You seem to mistake that I don’t hold aiders and abettors as culpable as instigators. Anyone who aids in further destroying and/or usurping our fundamental form of government and freedoms needs to be on trial and in prison if found guilty regardless of party affiliation. Bush and Cheney need to be in the dock and Obama needs to be standing right next to them. And if Hillary (dog forbid) becomes Prez and does “the same thing” they have? She can go to prison too.
The more I think about this evolving and growing NSA scandal, it seems that this is not a political problem, but a problem with who really controls the government. The NSA and the intelligence community may be pulling a lot more strings that we are willing to acknowledge. Almost, every government official, at every level has some secrets that they may be willing to bend over to make sure the secret does not get disclosed. Spooky.
Max-1,
Maybe you are correct about Lewis. Here is my thinking and I can be wrong. Nail him to the wall for any vote about gutting the Constitution. Past actions for the good do not erase present actions for the bad. No one who tears down the rule of law should get our respect.
I am speaking here only about Lewis in regards to Snowden. Apparently, Lewis did think it was worth speaking out in favor of Snowden. I cannot read his words as other than a strong endorsement of Snowden’s actions. In doing so, he was going up against Obamaco in a very damaging way. Lewis speaking out could be something that would put doubt about the goodness of Obama in the mind of his most ardent followers.
Gene points to certain reasons for the overnight recant. If any of those reasons are the case then I consider it cowardice to recant. An affair, dirty business/campaign crap, etc.–that is as nothing compared to standing for what is right. If that is the threat a person needs to stand up and take their medicine. This nation needs people to speak up and do the right thing, NOW.
However, there are certain threats that I can think of such as threatening the death of a loved one where one might buckle. In that case I hope Lewis either comes forward and reveals the threat or resigns.
When one cannot function honorably in one’s job, one should quit or be forced out.
All of this matters to me just as it does to you. I feel, with regards to this particular matter about Snowden, I cannot tell for certain what is going on right now. If Lewis does not resign or come forward in a short while, I think we will understand that it is likely the list Gene gives. But, as he did initially speak up and go against a very powerful group, I would like to wait and see what happens.
We definitely agree about how wrong the things USGinc. is doing truly are. We also agree that we need our politicians to set aside personal ambition and come through for the people. If not now, it will be too late.
Gene,
Read my criticism at 11:30a … it is the only explanation I can think of.
These are very dangerous times and the Administration is desperate as are both the Senate and House not to mention all the agencies who were assured all this subverting of the Constitution was legal. The Guardian is continuing to publish and now the NY Times has decided to join the fray. Things are unraveling and desperate people are extremely dangerous people.
NSA Confirms Dragnet Phone Records Collection, But Admits It Was Key in Stopping Just 1 Terror Plot
pt. 2
President Obama’s vindictive, vicious persecution of government whistle blowers has justly earned him the contempt of many throughout the civilized world. If Representative Lewis wishes to associate himself with a thin-skinned autocrat like President Obama, then he certainly may do so. But then he must share the stigma of a fraud who campaigned for office praising whistle blowers and promising to nurture and protect them, only to launch all-out jihad upon the lowliest and most defenseless of them once in power himself. Personally, I wouldn’t call Representative Lewis a whore, because I have more respect for honest working girls (and gay guys) than I do for spineless political pretenders to a legitimacy they do not deserve.
As I see it, figuratively speaking, Edward Snowden, like PFC Bradley Manning, “broke the law” in that he jaywalked across the street in the middle of the night to warn a neighbor that an arsonist had set fire to the neighbor’s house. Then, after calling the fire department and police for assistance, he finds himself not only on the wrong side of a fire hose turned upon him instead of the fire, but arrested for jaywalking AND disturbing the peace AND “trying to play the hero” (i.e., “narcissism”) AND failing to first notify the arsonist that he had witnessed his crime AND various other charges that the prosecution may add later on the basis of “eyewitness testimony” provided by the arsonist (a “co-operating government informant) in order to force a confession and/or a plea bargain for some sentence slightly less draconian than “life” in prison with years spent in solitary confinement.
Yes. I think that about sums up the “law breaking” in this case and recent others like it.
Representative Lewis obviously has not the slightest understanding of the difference between misdemeanor whistle blowing versus felony arson and manslaughter, yet common sense and context can easily discern the vast difference between the two. President Obama commits felony crimes every Tuesday at the White House when he summarily orders the incineration of foreign property and the deaths of foreigners — and even American citizens — whom he does not even know and to whom he refuses to extend even the least of civilized legal protections. As a matter of fact, President Obama “breaks the law” weekly, if not more frequently than that. So Representative Lewis can associate himself with President Obama’s ridiculous notions of “breaking the law” (as this applies to others but not himself and his staff) if he wishes. But he deserves not one iota of respect for doing so.
President B.H. Obama on Jay Leno, 8/06/13
“There is no spying on Americans. We don’t have a domestic spying program. What we do have are some mechanisms where we can track a phone number or an email address that we know is connected to some sort of terrorist threat”
Amy Goodman on 8/01/13 reported:
Testifying before the Senate on Wednesday, National Security Agency Deputy Director John Inglis conceded that the bulk collection of phone records of millions of Americans under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act has been key in stopping only one terror plot — not the dozens officials had previously said.
Obama vs. Truth
0 to 100
NSA Confirms Dragnet Phone Records Collection, But Admits It Was Key in Stopping Just 1 Terror Plot
pt. 1
Gene,
Be sure to send us the video of you doing a jig!! 🙂
Dredd,
that is an amazing claim made by Mr. Tice. If true, it would explain a lot, as Gene suggested. I think we need an investigation into the NSA, but who will do that in light of these allegations?
Gene H.
When President Hillary Clinton is in Office, will we still be blaming Bush for making her violate our Rights like he made Obama violate them, today?
Max,
You’ll get no argument from me on Pelosi. I don’t think her treason is a driver, but I think she – and others including Obama – have aided and abetted BushCo’s treasons and war crimes after the fact without question. I loathe the woman and I’ll dance a jig when she’s gone . . . or better yet in the dock for aiding and abetting treason.
Interesting stuff from Tice, Dredd.
Further makes me think Lewis is a case of political blackmail.
Damn Harry Truman for setting up the NSA and damn Congress and the Bush Administration for taking them off their leash.
Gene H.
When Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House, I referenced her as the Madam of the House… It was her whore House. “Off the table” meant on the bed sheets… everyone grope for the lies to protect the Administration from screwing the American populace. Now look at her progeny!
Sorry, I have no respect for her. Her treason lead us to this point in history.
I’ll laugh as she does her laundry… maybe she’s washing Mr. Lewis’ sheets as we type?
And one extra for good measure (since JT pointed out that it is close to national whistleblower day … ):
Continued: