The NSA whistleblower.
The individual responsible for one of the most significant leaks in US political history is Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA and current employee of the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden has been working at the National Security Agency for the last four years as an employee of various outside contractors, including Booz Allen and Dell.
The Guardian, after several days of interviews, is revealing his identity at his request. From the moment he decided to disclose numerous top-secret documents to the public, he was determined not to opt for the protection of anonymity. "I have no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong," he said.
Well, he may have broken the law - or his oath of secrecy or something - but at least he isn't lying, Lila Rose. What?
Seriously - without this guy we would all be saying these stories are just conspiracy theories perpetrated by some vast _________.
- Right wing conspiracy
- Left wing conspiracy
- Both
"The day when Americans could take the Founders' understanding of religious freedom as a given is over," said the archbishop. "We need to wake up." - ChaputIt's not just religious freedom...
Having watched the Obama administration prosecute whistleblowers at a historically unprecedented rate, Snowden fully expects the US government to attempt to use all its weight to punish him. "I am not afraid," he said calmly, "because this is the choice I've made."
He predicts the government will launch an investigation and "say I have broken the Espionage Act and helped our enemies, but that can be used against anyone who points out how massive and invasive the system has become".
This is just the beginning."The government has granted itself power it is not entitled to. There is no public oversight." - Edward Snowden
What scares me is that there are thousands (tens of thousands?) of employees who know this is happening but DIDN'T blow the whistle.
ReplyDeleteAnd now they know we know they know...
ReplyDeleteDon't be too generous in your praise just yet, Terry: http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/10/are-the-nsa-leaks-a-form-of-chinese-espionage/
ReplyDeleteIt's too early to tell if this is a story of a guy who did what was morally correct out of a sense of integrity, or if Snowden was a Chinese plant.
If you are thinking Bonsai - that is a Japanese plant. I get Asian stuff mixed up too.
DeleteWhat?
Anyway. I do not know how this will play out - but I think it is very important that Snowden brought this to our attention, pretty much blasting it out of the realm of right-wing-nut conspiracy theories, as the Dems like to paint everything and everyone that goes against the party platform.
Since Obama gave himself the power to assassinate his enemies, Snowden better watch his back!
ReplyDeleteThe irony of a U.S. citizen seeking political asylum in communist China.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann...you're more on the mark than you know:
ReplyDeletehttp://weaselzippers.us/2013/06/09/reporter-intelligence-officials-joke-about-making-nsa-leaker-edward-snowden-disappear/
What Donald said.
ReplyDeleteAnd to watch Sen. Feintein and Rep. Mike Rogers on ThisWeek say he should be prosecuted for endangering American security.
Too bad it takes defending government intrusion into our lives to bring Dems & Republicans together.
My hero, too.
ReplyDelete