It’s stunning how the establishment media and politicians have, over night, transformed the new revelations and discussion about the U.S. surveillance state into a partisan issue. The republicans point the finger at Obama as if he is actually doing something even more sinister than what Bush did and the democrats, as mindless worshipers of their hero, Obama, claim that what the NSA is doing is a non-issue and that republicans are simply hyping the recent stories to play party politics (which of course, is true). Aside from a few individual exceptions, neither republicans nor democrats have any wish to roll back the power of government to snoop on citizens. If they did, it would have already happened long ago. If there are really two parties in the U.S, it’s the party of government and the party of the governed. Them and us. The biggest threat to individual freedom is, and always will be, the government.
Below, Glen Greenwald interviews Edward Snowden, the whistle blower responsible for the recent leaks regarding the out-of-control nature of the U.S. government and its intelligence apparatus. Two things immediately stand out. First, this guy is no nut case and second, he is no enemy of the U.S. out to harm the country. At this point, I would have to say he stands out, not only as a hero, but as an inspiration and roll model to potential whistle blowers worldwide in every country on the planet. Democracy cannot exist in a country where the government knows everything about its citizens, but its citizens know nothing about the government.
[Update]
Unfortunately, if the early reaction of the establishment press is any indicator, Snowden’s message about the power and coverage of the U.S. surveillance state won’t even become part of the discussion, being swamped out completely by the illegality of the actions of Snowdon and the “harm” he has wrought upon U.S. national security and, by extension, the U.S. itself. This would be a good time to familiarize yourself with the array of alternative news sources available on the web.
I think his greatest fear will be realized. These leaks will change nothing. People do not and will not care.
That could be the case. People often don’t care about stuff like this until it unavoidably affects their lives by, say, pre-empting Dancing with the Stars.
I do think that whistle blowers beget more whistle blowing though. It’s no longer a club with Daniel Ellsberg as the only member.