By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
In another showing of international support for the activities in revealing to the public the abuses of the NSA, whistleblower Edward Snowden, journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras each received the Carl von Ossietzky award in Berlin today.
The award is bestowed to honor those who exhibit extraordinary civic courage or commitment to the spread or defense of human rights.
The international League for Human Rights in Berlin awarded this year’s prize to Snowden for a “momentous decision of conscience … to put [his] personal freedom on the line” to expose the “abuse of power” exercised by the US and Germany. On behalf of Snowden, who is barred from entering Germany, and Greenwald, Poitras accepted the award for the three civil rights activists.
Several speakers posted honors to the three. Deutsche Welle reported the speeches were given honoring the work of Snowden, Greenwald and Poitras, including one from former federal Interior Minister Gerhart Baum and human rights lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck, who represents Snowden. Baum spoke of how the Snowden had “opened our eyes to the largest intelligence surveillance scandal I know.”
The von Ossietzky medal is named after the German Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist who spoke out actively against the Nazi regime. He died as a result of internment in the concentration camp where he was held, after being convicted of high treason. It was he who exposed Germany’s violation of the Treaty of Versailles through its re-militarization under Adolf Hitler.
By Darren Smith
Source:
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Germany could have given asylum to him !
And the NSA, FBI, and the rest of our terrorism industry still can’t figure out why so many think they did something wrong.
They know why. they say the end justifies the means but the means is what I call into question. Why was there a need in the first place. Had we never interfered and practiced diplomacy instead of sneaking into these countries like armed criminals to get the product we wanted there would have been no problem.
Well, I am not surprised. They gave Obama the Nobel Prize and he hadn’t done diddle, still hasn’t.
Barkin Dog you crack me up you got to be the life of every party 🙂
I do remember Sherman’s Camp Granada song.
Here is a portion:
parody of “Little David, Play On Your Harp”]
Little David Susskind-
Shut up
Please don’t talk; please don’t talk
Little David Susskind-
Me first
Then you’ll talk
There was a song writer way back in the early sixties named Alan Sherman. He wrote this song called Little David Susskind, Shut Up! If you change some words and insert Diane Feinstein for David Susskind then you have the perfect song. I am going to go on the web here and find the lyrics and post them. Old Lady Feinstein Shut Up!
This is what the U.S. has been doing for the last 14 years.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-203012-US-wars-in-Afghanistan-Iraq-to-cost-$6-trillion
And, who has “paid the price”.
http://antiwar.com/casualties/
Many folks here are proud of our drone happy Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The courageous folks earning these awards are indeed great international heroes, unlike those who volunteer to kill and risk being killed, for money, or those who order killing, to serve their own financial interests.
https://twitter.com/jonathanmayer/status/543149556020432896
What an appropriate time for such an award to be made to Mr. Snowden. While our government officials are to running themselves inside out supporting torture and many Americans are ignoring the real damage torture has done to our national soul an award to this courageous man will hopefully wake some people up about the importance of principle and transparency.
Congratulations to all the recipients.
When your Leaders break the Law with impunity…
… Know you are being lead by criminals.
Thanks to the people who have the courage to speak up against our government officials who violate the Bill of Rights.
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/544220602740252672
America,
Where heros are not welcome and war criminals/tortures are given a free pass.
The real traitors are feinstein and those like her.
A well deserved honor.
Bravo! The truth is still appreciated in some parts of the world.Sadly America has become a land of hidden agendas, secret judges ruling on secret cases, and indiscriminate spying on all Americans. I hope everyone feels safer……
Feinstein wants Snowden tried as a traitor. Feinstein also does not want bloggers given First Amendment protection. But, she’s the hero of the hour for some folks here.