[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')img]http://1.vsr.vz.tl/assets/images/cached/fG_89Xt-360.jpg[/img]

Vancouver (AFP) - Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden emerged from his Russian exile Tuesday in the form of a remotely-controlled robot to promise more sensational revelations about US spying programs.

The fugitive's face appeared on a screen as he maneuvered the wheeled android around a stage at the TED gathering, addressing an audience in Vancouver without ever leaving his secret hideaway.

"There are absolutely more revelations to come," he said. "Some of the most important reporting to be done is yet to come."

...

When Anderson posed the question to the TED audience -- known for famous, innovative, and influential attendees -- the idea that Snowden was a force for good met with applause.

- Hero or traitor? -

"Hero patriot or traitor; I would say I am an American citizen just like anyone else," Snowden said.

"What really matters here is the kind of government we want; the kind of Internet we want."
http://news.yahoo.com/robot-snowden-promises-more-us-spying-revelations-200246526.html;_ylt=AwrBEiSfqihTkQMAvUzQtDMD

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '[')b]Edward Snowden was in Russia before Russia become America's latest distraction. What would you expect Snowden to do now? Come back here and face charges for sedition? Perhaps he might don a balaclava, tease us with a miniskirt join pussy riot, and make bad music?

[SeaGypsy]

If you paid any attention to what Snowden released, you would find that if anyone is a traitor it's the USG.

[Pops]

Barring some big scary event, I'm thinking we'll be seeing another "Church Commission" soon.

If Dianne Feinstein, long time D defender of the NSA and allowing every kind of civil rights intrusion (except when she's the target) decides the gig is up, then watch out.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'I')f you paid any attention to what Snowden released, you would find that if anyone is a traitor it's the USG.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'R')ussian TV programs about their cobalt perimeter system "dead hand" doomsday device worry me more than the NSA thing.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'S')ee, that's the problem, a majority are more worried about some remote chance of armageddon than the real possibility that the government is grossly violating our civil rights simply because they can.

And Why is that? Because we take those protections for granted. You often hear about "coddling criminals" from people who believe, actually believe, "I haven't done anything wrong, I'm innocent, I'd never be falsely accused, So what do I care, kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out."

I think they are fundamentally incapable of grasping the idea that civil rights protections are not for the guilty, they're for the innocent. It's the reason I think civil rights are the highest form of civilization, the hardest to protect and will be the first to go.

People will trade those protections away in a heartbeat to be able to feel a little more secure to go about the business of buying stuff and posting on facebook.

[Pops]

I don't know what he might or might not have released and how much it might have hurt individuals or "Methods & Procedures" but when the gov has decided it can sweep whatever rights under the carpet because they think it is expedient and that they have an excuse to toss the constitution and just keep right on doing it indefinitely, that is wrong and someone needs to stand up. When you make omelets you break eggs.

Don't get me wrong, I got a tear watching the Medal of Honor ceremony the other day and the Anthem can choke me up. I also have 3 kids who are career military (Son, SIL, DIL) - one still deployed in fact, and I'd not want to see them put in danger by a leaker.

But . . . I'd expect them to disregard unlawful or unconstitutional orders and to speak out rather than go along with whatever Jack-Bower-esque, Orwellian plot that undermines the 4th amendment or any other part - the oath is to the constitution, not their superior, the director of the NSA or even the POTUS.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', ' ')Snowden in Russia was cool at first, now it just ain't so cool to me. I can't help it, it's like a Jane Fonda going to 'nam and all that. If we have an adversary, if that's what Russia is becoming and actively screwing with the US, then it is not cool you don't go and aid and abet the other side like that.

[Plantagenet]

Snowden is well spoken and clearly sees himself as a patriotic American who was outraged by the unconstitutional secret spying going on. Check it out---his TED talk is pretty interesting.

Snowden's TED talk

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'S')nowden is well spoken and clearly sees himself as a patriotic American who was outraged by the unconstitutional secret spying going on. Check it out---his TED talk is pretty interesting.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', '
')Snowden did a public service and was a patriot for that, but just think.. he's an American too.. how can he become the pawn of a hostile regime and feel good about that, in his stomach? I sure couldn't, but I guess folks are different.

If there were at least some kind of definite assurance that he isn't handing over unrelated intel, if it's just the spying things, then okay. But I wonder.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'H')ow would we ever have learned about the extent of unconstitutional spying on US citizens by the Obama administration if Snowden hadn't decided to be a whistleblower?

IMHO, I hope when President Clinton takes office n 2017 she gives Snowden a pardon.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', '.') it's just a moral question.. you don't aid and abed "the enemy" no matter what your issue is (and I hate to say Russia is that quite yet, but we don't know).

[Sixstrings]

Treason against the United States, as defined in Article III Section 3 of the Constitution:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')o avoid the abuses of the English law (including executions by Henry VIII of those who criticized his repeated marriages), treason was specifically defined in the United States Constitution, the only crime so defined. Article III Section 3 delineates treason as follows:

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treason#Federal

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', 'R')ussia just started Cold War II but a year ago Russia supposedly was our friend. The Obama Administration believed they had "resert" things so Russia was our friend.

You can hardly blame Snowden for not figuring out something that even the folks in the White House got wrong.

[Sixstrings]

Hm, yup I called it right, look what Snowden releases now:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]Snowden says NSA Spied on Chinese Telecoms Giant
http://wgntv.com/2014/03/23/snowden-says-nsa-spied-on-chinese-telecoms-giant/

[SeaGypsy]

Are you an idiot? A whistleblower is neither responsible for the sins of his master or the consequences of them being revealed. Do a little reading on whistleblower protection legislation, policies and procedures. Ignoramous might be more apt.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SeaGypsy', 'A')re you an idiot? A whistleblower is neither responsible for the sins of his master or the consequences of them being revealed. Do a little reading on whistleblower protection legislation, policies and procedures. Ignoramous might be more apt.