Mister Popularity, Edward Snowden

Posted on | January 17, 2014 | 69 Comments

As the American intelligence community struggles to contain the public damage done by the former National Security Agency contractor’s revelations of mass domestic spying, intelligence operators have continued to seethe in very personal terms against the 30 year-old leaker.
“In a world where I would not be restricted from killing an American, I personally would go and kill him myself,” a current NSA analyst told BuzzFeed. “A lot of people share this sentiment.”
“I would love to put a bullet in his head,” one Pentagon official, a former special forces officer, said bluntly. “I do not take pleasure in taking another human beings life, having to do it in uniform, but he is single handedly the greatest traitor in American history.” . . .
“His name is cursed every day over here,” a defense contractor told BuzzFeed, speaking from an overseas Intelligence collections base. “Most everyone I talk to says he needs to be tried and hung, forget the trial and just hang him.”

What Snowden did is no less criminal than what Bradley Manning did, and Manning’s serving 35 years in federal prison.

Category: Crime

Comments

69 Responses to “Mister Popularity, Edward Snowden”

Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 10:54 am

Snowden would be prosecuted if he weren’t given protection by the Russians (who are enjoying some Schadenfreude) and the fact he has enough stuff not leaked to give him some leverage on negotiating.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:04 am

Snowden is a hero. It’s beautiful to see how a single human being who is willing to put his ass on the line can bring down tyrants.

Other than showing what a major embarrassment our elected officials are, and what kind of psychos make up the US military, not a single person was harmed due to Manning’s leaks. His imprisonment is a travesty of justice and harping on his sexual identity, which this blog loves to do in order to discredit him, is no better than North Korean propaganda.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:16 am

In a time when the IRS is being used to suppress political parties, The EPA is the defacto enforcement arm for radical environmentalists, and we have built a survelliance operation that would make the Stasi proud, we should be hesitant to make such black and white judgements.

I do not think Snowden is a hero. However given the current state of our country I hesitate to call him a traitor.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:33 am

RomeFalls, are you mad about alleged “transphobic” posts or post operation regrets?

I know this is a crazy concept for you to wrap your head around, but taking secret communications and disclosing them to third parties when you are a soldier is not really an option (unless you want to be prosecuted for a crime). This was not a guy who was a true hero like Hugh Thompson and Ron Ridenhour, but a troubled disturbed individual. I will agree with you that there are others in the military who should be punished, mainly those who let such an obviously mentally ill individual have access to such information.
Good Stuff
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:37 am

Edward Snowden the traitor has been in the news for seven months – yeah popular

However, the whole Edward Snowden story is fishy

Mr Information or Miss Information?

traitor – One who betrays one’s country, a cause, or a trust, especially one who commits treason.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:39 am

Ineligible marxist usurper Hussein Obama is a proven enemy of the Constitution of the Untied States. He has proven it over and over and over again.

For example, at Benghazi, Hussein Obama provided aid and comfort to the Islam-ist enemy by not providing readily available support for Americans engaged in combat with said enemy.

Snowden, on the other hand, has done more to undermine the criminal marxist regime of ineligible usurper Hussein Obama than any blog can ever do.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:39 am

For starters Manning does a wonderfully job of discrediting himself, regardless of Mr. McCains reporting. I am pretty positive “Chelsea” would still be a contemptible douche gargler with or without the reporting of this blog.

Second, there is a significant difference between the motives and methods between Snowden and Manning.
PatDissent
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:45 am

I am something here I rarely am over any issue : solidly on the fence.

Lemme ‘splain, Loosey :

1. It is blatantly obvious National Security was violated. Not arguing or defending anything here. You can draw your own conclusions as you will as to a fitting punishment.

2. On the other hand, it is also blatantly obvious a whole lot of people charged with defending this country and our God-given Constitution were, in fact, wiping their wanna-be jack-booted fascist asses with said Constitution.

I really want to know what we expected to happen in this country after we gave Liberalism carte blanche to corrupt personal integrity, make a mockery of honor, and throw all standards out the window. The larger problem is that we appear to have put people in positions of power who are using situational ethics, and do not believe the Constitution and the Ten Commandments are absolutes that guide human behavior. Is it really any surprise that people – both Snowden and the goose-stepping harpies he exposed – acted less-than-honorably?

All I know with 100% certainty is that I thank God I have never had to make such a choice as having to betray my country to save it from people who regard the Constitution with the same callous, blasé attitude usually reserved for a used Kleenex.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 11:47 am

Yeah, Snowden ran off to the Russians. Manning stayed and got prosecuted.

Of course, they don’t really like the Manning types in Russia.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:01 pm

What’s so different between Ridenhour and Manning? They both uncovered war crimes. Are you actually suggesting because Manning’s supposed motivation was to burn the Army his revelations are somehow less credible? Facts are facts and I don’t care who brings them to light or why. My beef with the harping on his orientation is not that’s it’s “transphobia” although there’s obviously that too, but rather that it’s being used to discredit his message to people who may find his lifestyle “weird” or immoral. What’s important is what he uncovered, and not whether or not he likes to wear women’s clothes. Hoover wore women’s clothes and we let him run the FBI.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:04 pm

Who cares what he is like personally? It’s irrelevant and nothing more than a smear tactic to discredit the information he brought to light which shows our military engaging in war crimes and our diplomatic core to be a bunch of contemptible clowns. How does that change regardless of who told us about it? The smearing of whistleblower’s is nothing new and has been going on for decades. At this point though people shoudnt be falling for such obvious tactics.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:07 pm

Who could blame Snowden for fleeing? You’re not much good to anyone locked in Supermax. Better to burn your targets and then let them twist over not being able to apprehend you. It makes the burn that much sweeter. And I dont want to hear about how this is treason. There is no nation left to betray.
Mister Popularity, Edward Snowden : The Other McCain | Dead Citizen's Rights Society
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:08 pm

[…] Mister Popularity, Edward Snowden : The Other McCain […]
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:09 pm

Eh….always partisanship with you guys. Obama is not a Marxist, unless of course George Bush is a Marxist too because their policies, especially as it applies to the NSA, are almost indistinguishable. In fact Obama has ramped up the war on terror and middle eastern operations and seems ready to complete the neo-con plan of his predecessors.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:24 pm

Oh yes, what Manning brought forth was oh so damning! Diplomatic cables revealing the sordid yet mundane details of diplomats. Big yawn there.

War Crimes? Really? Where? Has any legitimate body actual said they thing what was revealed was a war crime and were willing to actually prosecute? Because without that is simply an accusation.

Oh look! My neighbors dog just shit on my grass! War Crime!
pabarge
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:28 pm

I hate to disagree (not really) but Snowden is an F’ing hero.

And while we’re at it, F’ those NSA/CIA/whatever spooks and the train they rode in on.

You think these people have America’s interests at heart? You think wrong.
Unix-Jedi
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:33 pm

The biggest similarity that both Snowden and Manning have:

Neither should have ever had access to any the vast trove of information they did.

Yet they were given unsupervised, unchecked access to information.

When both were obvious risks. (Manning was in the process of being separated, for $DEITY’s sake.) Snowden had been trying to sell the story about the NSA’s access and information for months before he was hired. (Some snooping there, guys.)

We should not lose sight of what this tells us about the institutions they “betrayed”, and how much we should trust the judgement of such institutions and bureaucracies.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:36 pm

There’s no material difference between the ideology of today’s liberals and the ideology of their socialist, marxist, and communist ancestors.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:42 pm

Total hyperbole. You should read more. And if Obama’s a Marxist then so is George W. Bush. Their polices are near identical.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:48 pm

This isn’t a war crime? It is, but since Vietnam it has been US policy to kill civilians(including women and children)and now it’s legal. People think the My Lai Massacre was an anomaly but it was routine engagement in South Vietnam. The incident revealed by Manning probably happened routinely in Iraq and Afghanistan.
NeoWayland
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:52 pm

I’m sorry, but “national security” is not sacrosanct.

It seems to be invoked to cover abuse of power just as much as it is a questionable national interest.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 12:56 pm

Hussein Obama’s ideology, demeanor, character, and policies are significantly different from W. Bush.

For example, in this related YouTube video, Hussein Obama talks about his self-proclaimed Muslim faith: http://youtu.be/bMUgNg7aD8M?t=6s
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:09 pm

Nonsense.

There’s absolutely no evidence that … The incident revealed by Manning probably happened routinely in Iraq and Afghanistan..

If you’re going to make absurd claims, at least have the common decency to attempt to provide a related shred of evidence.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:13 pm

I thought we were talking about Marxism? How did him being a Muslim slip into there? Islam is even more incompatible with Marxism than Christianity. In any case, what he says means nothing, it’s what he does, and what he does is identical to his predecessor. Obama whips up class warfare rhetoric and masquerades as a left wing populist only around election time. The rest of the time he’s loyal to Wall Street.
RomeFalls
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:18 pm

Bullsh*t. It probably happened all the time. The Battle of Fallujah was loaded with civilian deaths and probably under much the same circumstances as the Apache incident. In Vietnam the public thought incidents like My Lai were anomalous, but it turns out they were simply how the war on the ground was conducted. It stands to reason that because we killed anything that moved in Vietnam because we thought everyone was a VC, we kill everyone in Iraq and Afghanistan because we believe they might be Jihadists. Funny how over 70% of people locked up in CIA black sites and Gitmo are guilty of no crime. You can see how my theory plays out on those stats alone.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:48 pm

It probably happened all the time.

That statement alone is precisely why you’re not taken seriously. I’m sure this isn’t the first time.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 1:49 pm

One can subscribe to Islam-ism and marxism without any difficulty. They’re not mutually exclusive ideologies.

In fact, many have noted that Islam-ism is simply “communism with a god”.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:01 pm

“Probably happened all the time”

This statement is an assertion and it one you can’t back up with hard proof. It also a smear tactic of the very sort you claim is being used Manning.

You have zero proof of your own, nor does any other sanctioned body agree with you assertion
Wombat_socho
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:14 pm

Bored now.
Wombat_socho
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:15 pm

It certainly seems so, more these days than formerly.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:27 pm

Why am I not surprised? Bowel movement conservatism is boring and narrow minded.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:28 pm

No, they really can’t and are mutually exclusive. Or did you miss that whole fight between the USSR and the mujahadeen in Afghanistan during the 1980’s? They are completely incompatible. The only place they are compatible is in the minds of bubble headed, tea partiers.
Romefell
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:32 pm

Please, JSOC is a kill squad who it has been reported by brave journalists like Jeremy Scahill in bis documentary and book “Dirty Wars” and not media hacks over at Fox, to routinely kill civilians during raids and operations. Let’s not even get into the abuses during Fallujah. And if the incident with the Apache supposedly followed the “rules of engagement” then it stands to reason that it happens all the time just like massacres happened all the time in South Vietnam.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:35 pm

Really? The Mullah’s and Saudi Royal family redistribute income, give women equal rights, support homosexual marriage, and believe in social justice and income equality? You’re a moron. Simple as that.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:45 pm

You’re ignorant of the history. Jamal al-Afghani, for example, is one of the key Islam-ist thinkers who noted the similarities between the key ideas of socialism and Islam-ism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_ad-Din_al-Afghani

Perhaps the primary similarity between marxists and Islam-ists is their shared hatred of Christianity and Christians.

Interestingly, at least from my experience, visceral hatred for Christianity and Christians seems more pronounced among the ideology of liberalism than run-of-the-mill Muslims.
Socialism: Organized Evil
January 17th, 2014 @ 2:49 pm

Hussein Obaam’s White House is notorious for treating women like dogs:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2038386/Obamas-White-House-hostile-environment-women-treated-like-meat.html

What’s truly fascinating is that you actually seem to believe the rhetoric of liberalism even though experience proves the actions of liberals to be diametrically opposed to said rhetoric.

The ideology of liberalism is about conflict. It is about the dialectic. It is about pitting artificial classes of people (women, sodomites, blacks, youth, etc.) against each other for the sole purpose of advancing the quasi-religious ideology of liberalism.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 3:06 pm

So instead providing actual proof you double down with more unverifiable assertions.

In other words you can’t prove anything you have said prior and are clinically “full of shit”
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 3:27 pm

You make some good points, but yes Snowden was a traitor.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 3:28 pm

I am surprised you have not swung the mighty hammer of ban.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 17th, 2014 @ 3:29 pm

You can disagree with what the NSA is doing and still consider Snowden a traitor. It is not an either or.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 4:15 pm

Do your own homework. We already know about the incident from the Manning leak, Haditha, Fallujah, and Balad in Iraq, then there are the numerous incidents of American soldiers murdering civilians in Afghanistan. Face facts, the US military does not seek to spare civilians in either of these theatre’s of war hence the civilian body count of over 150k people in Iraq alone. Look, if you want to believe the US government and military’s sole purpose in the middle east is “freedom” and winning “hearts and minds” be my guest and delude yourself.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 4:25 pm

Women feel left out at the White House and that’s evidence of Islam and Marxism? And then you link from a Murdoch affiliated newspaper? That’s the way it is in every male dominated institution, from banking to corporate boardrooms, politics, sports, etc. It’s not evidence of being a muslim.

No, I think most liberals are full of crap, but comparing their policy goals to those of the Mullah’s in Iran and the Saudi royals is pretty idiotic and even with a lot of bluff rhetoric, gay marriage has still become reality in most of the country and women have made large advancements socially.

Im an independent.
HamOnRye
January 17th, 2014 @ 4:42 pm

Are you going to deliver some hard proof or are just going to play the “squirrel” game all day long?

P
R
O
O
F

Do you fucking have it or not?
Chris
January 17th, 2014 @ 4:43 pm

So, let me sum up the argument: In Re: Snowden, the ends justify the means, and that’s ok. In Re: NSA, the means don’t justify the ends, close the NSA. Is this accurate?
DaveO
January 17th, 2014 @ 4:56 pm

Snowden and Manning were recruited by folks who lived in other countries for the purpose to obtaining US secrets in order to cause harm to the US. Snowden and Manning have said so. Julian Assange understands he will never go free. Glenn Greenwald is alive today because he is blackmailing the US and other government with knowledge of what’s in Snowden’s possession. These men are not heroes. Heroes do not behave in this manner, never have, not for millenia as evidenced in cultural histories, art, and literature. Greenwald’s crimes in the US are egregious, and he, like Assange, understand that windows are now sniper access. If they are fortunate, they will die instantly, but since they know stuff, likely they’ll be tortured in ways that would make Torquemada proud. Only question is which country will do it.
Quartermaster
January 17th, 2014 @ 5:27 pm

My Lai was an aberration. This guy has been on pot far too long.
K-Bob
January 17th, 2014 @ 5:35 pm

The Snowdon situation is is nothing new. I’m no expert on Greek Tragedies, but I’m betting at least one of them covered the old, “I killed him for the good of mankind” plot device.

Snowdon went about it completely the wrong way. He should pay society back for tearing down that particular boundary, because if people don’t get punished for such things, they become commonplace.

The results however are not something you walk away from. He didn’t alert us to the spying: most tech folks were aware of that already. He gave us the current layout of a big chunk of the technology involved, and in the process uncovered the fact that Big, highly-visible Corporations have gone along with it all to avoid being on the wrong side of the law and Homeland Security.

If you want to really know all the gory details of exactly what Snowdon uncovered, I suggest getting all of the “Security Now” podcasts with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. Leo’s a hopeless leftist, but they cover it well.
Adjoran
January 17th, 2014 @ 6:28 pm

Perpetuating the leftist myth about Hoover proves you an idiot, as if any were necessary.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 6:42 pm

Of course, quibble over Hoover’s peccadilloes(he was definitely gay whether or not he was a cross dresser)and avoid the rest. You’re an idiot. Even supposedly conservative Clint Eastwood had about to play dress up, too. Hoover was a Crypto-Nazi and a closet case.
RomeFell
January 17th, 2014 @ 6:57 pm

I just proved it. Do your own homework and read the reports by Scahill and others. It’s you who is playing the “squirrel game.” And you want “hard proof” about Fallujah, Haditha, and Balad? Those are a matter of public record. You can look them up if you like. And we have a video of Apache pilots callously shooting up civilians. We can throw in the numerous murders Blackwater was responsible for too which are also a matter of public record. How about Dynecorp trafficking prostitutes most of whom were underage in Afghanistan? Also a matter of public record.

From veteran Daniel Somers suicide note:

“The simple truth is this: During my first deployment, I was made to participate in things, the enormity of which is hard to describe. War crimes, crimes against humanity,” wrote Somers. “Though I did not participate willingly, and made what I thought was my best effort to stop these events, there are some things that a person simply can not come back from. I take some pride in that, actually, as to move on in life after being part of such a thing would be the mark of a sociopath in my mind. These things go far beyond what most are even aware of.”

Somers also complains about how he was forced to “participate in the ensuing coverup” of such crimes.

Unfortunately you are a “believer” in American righteousness and no matter what proof I gave you of the slaughter our country has perpetrated in Iraq it would never suffice. You choose to live with your head up your ass and that’s why you’re a good sheep. Baaaaaahhhh! all the thngs I’ve listed are a matter of public record. You can look them up if you like but Im not going to supply you links and then have you come back and deny what you just read which you predictably will do.