Edward Snowden

beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Ok, is this guy a hero or a traitor?
I'm leaning toward hero. He's now submitting for asylum in Russia.
According to France24 (news channel) :


In comments reported by Russian news agencies on Monday, Putin noted that Snowden flew to Moscow on June 23 “without invitation,” intending only to transit to another country. But Putin says the United States intimidated other countries against accepting Snowden, effectively blocking him from flying further.
Putin is quoted as saying, “Such a present to us. Merry Christmas."

 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
Want to explain your view?
A hero does that which may not bring any benefit nor fame to himself because it is the right thing to do to help another. A traitor cause irrepairable harm to one's nation on a grand scale and is charged with treason and put to death.
Snowden does not fall into either category in my eyes. I think this would be Bang's explanation as well.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
He may have betrayed our government by but as a citizen I hardly feel like he betrayed me. Though he hasn't really shown us anything as of yet that we didn't really already know anyway. The government spying on it's own people through technology? Yeah, nothing new there. He's a whistle blower, not a hero.
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Well he released info about our government spying on other countries. He should have stuck to government spying on its own people, and I'd praise him.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Oh, espionage. Another shocker lol. In that regard I guess he is a traitor because he supplied the details. But he's claiming to have more juicy gossip that he's holding back on for protection. Wonder what that's all about.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/395953/edward-snowden#post_3526694
Want to explain your view?
Sure. While I was in the service it was constantly pounded on us, and all contractors, that the Office of Special Counsel has a department specifically created for whistleblowers that would have to disclose classified information in order to divulge government wrong doing. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this department would have granted him an appointment had he bothered to call them. This department is independent and quite influential. Something violating the Bill of Rights would have been thoroughly investigated and corrected by this department.
He chose to publish this information in a way that made it available to our enemies. He took a vow and signed a contract that stated he would not do that. In violating that contract he became a criminal.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Had the guy spilled the beans and stayed here to face justice I'd be supportive but running to Russia and China? He's a zero, and if he divulged methods or sources he needs a sudden dose of lead poisoning.
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
The question should be, if he comes back is he tried for treason or a lesser charge. Answer that and you answer if he is a traitor
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Won't getWh
Which means he is a common criminal. No more no less.
Won't get any argument from me on that one. The question I want to know is how much longer are we going to let our constitutional rights get stomped on by these types of activities and where does it end?
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
I agree sucking up to China initially put a real cloud over motivations. I don't think he had much choice about going to Russia if he wanted to evade apprehension though.
Personally, I would not trust any US whistleblower agency. He would be in a better position in my view if his leaks were limited to infringements on citizen rights rather spilling secrets regarding government spying abroad.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Group coalition is gearing up to file another law suit to try and hault the NSA's snooping on american citizens for no good reason. I hope they can make some headway. Personally, I'd like to see the patriot act or the vast majority of it abolished. People had to know that act was going to be way to easy to be abused.
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
Group coalition is gearing up to file another law suit to try and hault the NSA's snooping on american citizens for no good reason. I hope they can make some headway. Personally, I'd like to see the patriot act or the vast majority of it abolished. People had to know that act was going to be way to easy to be abused.
The problem with the act is the population keeps changing their tune towards it. The major media and democrats railled against it while Bush was in office. Now that it is President Obama, the Republicans have been speaking out more and more and not so much is said anymore by major media or democrats.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/395953/edward-snowden#post_3526772
The problem with the act is the population keeps changing their tune towards it. The major media and democrats railled against it while Bush was in office. Now that it is President Obama, the Republicans have been speaking out more and more and not so much is said anymore by major media or democrats.
Well I don't like it. This act is the equivalent of following someone around simply because you think they could be up to something. They should let the majority of sections expire or squash it all together before all of our friends hate us.
 
mantisman51

mantisman51

Active Member
I think he released information the American people needed to know. I trust "independent" government agencies that answer to the president equal to rabid wolves guarding the hen house, the farmer and his daughter. Frankly, I don't care WHY he did it, I'm just glad he did it. As far as him running to China and Russia, where else could he go to keep from being fed a lead diet?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top