Edward Snowden: The New, Improved Monica Lewinsky

[riqster]

I rarely publish the text from an entire blog post here, but given how this topic has divided DU, I figured I'd best do so this time, to make sure my position is clear. Links at the link:http://bluntandcranky.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/edward-snowden-the-new-improved-monica-lewinsky/

Remember the 90′s? That was when a Dem got elected President, and the Repubs spent years manufacturing “scandals” so as to stop him from getting his agenda accomplished. Bulls*** allegation after bulls*** allegation, and finally one stuck to the wall: a stain on a gullible young lady’s dress, put there by our horndog Prexy Bubba. Finally, after years of effort, the “Republicans” had a scandal with which to distract the public and derail the administration’s efforts and policies. Oh, and to use to take the White House in 2000. Dirty politics, but effective. Even today, “Lewinsky” is a punch line.

Now we have another Democrat at 1600, and the Repubs have been working from the same playbook for his entire term. BS “scandal” after BS “scandal” has been thrown at Obama, and none has stuck. Not until Ron Paul supporter Edward Snowden decided to derail the administration. And he (or whoever he really works for) has upped the game considerably. Not just a stain or an “is” leaked at random moments: no, these releases of national security information are being timed to lead the media and the more gullible members of the public around by the nose:
* The initial “revelation” happened just after another attempted scandal was fizzling out,
* The “revelation” about spying on China came out right before Obama met with China’s leader,
*The “revelation” about spying on Russia came out right before Obama met with Russia’s leader, and then
*Right on cue, the son of the man Snowden supported in 2012 denounced Obama over the NSA “scandal”.

A well-coordinated and effective bit of dirty politics, you’ll agree. And it will continue, because it seems to be working. Note that this writer is neither excusing Clinton’s pre-adolescent behavior with Ms. Lewinsky, nor is he standing up for the appalling breaches of privacy that the Bushies and their Patriot Act handed down to the present regime.

But, Gentle Reader, he IS saying that the “revelations” and “scandals” are part of a pattern of behavior that we have seen from the “Republican” party for many years now. Far too many of We The People are forgetting this, and allowing ourselves to be jerked around on the strings of various puppeteers, who are not doing this for the good of the country: no, they are doing this to stop Obama from getting anything done, so the Elephants can kick the Donkeys out of power once again. And it’s working, because far too many of us aren’t paying attention.

And if this disgraceful campaign of character assassination succeeds, you’ll have this latter-day Lewinsky to thank (or blame). Yes, the new and improved edition of a young naïf who hit their knees in order to “service” someone in a position of power. A punchline-in-waiting is he, aided and abetted by our national failure to pay attention when we are being manipulated.

The only question left is what sort of “stain” will be left on Mr. Snowden, and whether he can ever wash it away.

Mr. Blunt and Cranky

[grasswire]

1. where's the unrec button?

That writer needs an editor, b adly.

[demmiblue]

2. I believe the blog belongs to the OP. n/t

[grasswire]

3. still needs an edit. nt

[demmiblue]

5. I wouldn't know... I didn't read past the title! n/t

[riqster]

4. Yep, that's my obscure little bloggie thing.

Allows me to aggravate right wingers, who rarely read DU threads.

[backscatter712]

6. +1! You'd think Issa would be on this like flies on shit if the OP was true. n/t

[riqster]

11. Seeing as Issa served up a fair share of the previous "scandals"

I kinda doubt it.

[BenzoDia]

7. Well, Obama got caught trying to be slick.

He could have explained the program to the people at any point before Snowden/Greenwald did. They did it first and were able to frame the conversation.

So we'll just have to take one on the chin on this one.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Given the choice

I'd settle for Monica.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

9. Crazy partisan talk, this goes way beyond a single person

This is about we the people not who is currently president.

Clinton didn't have most reTHUGligans and the M$M on his side.

FYI

[cali]

10. wow. that's an impressively stupid comparison.

More like Mr. Clueless and Stupid.

[Kolesar]

12. " to stop Obama from getting anything done"

The non-donors visiting from the Alex Jones forum are in their full erectile glory over this one.

It would kill you guys to donate to this twelve year old forum, would it not?

[GeorgeGist]

13. How soon we forget ...

11D chess.

[Berlum]

14. the k

and the r

[wandy]

15. The NRA is NOT the blue dress hidden in Obamas lower left hand desk drawer........

It is probably not even a sufficient scandal to produce a republican controlled house and senate come next November.
Sure we will be divided over this for a good part of the next year. Their is more that Ed Snowden must reveille. Darrell Issa has not even began his Ferdinand II of Aragon impersonation of Obamas misdeeds.

This is only the start of the scandal season. Their will be more to come.

That will be only the beginning. Expect a considerable amount of intrigue, drama and outright disgust with the democratic party to convince us to pull that lever for the team of Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.

It worked for them in 2000, and it is the only game plan that GOP co. has.
It is the only thing they have to offer.

Fear the Spy.
Hate the broken promises.

Somewhere Karl Rove is laughing his ass off.

[riqster]

17. Agreed.

Like I said, they will keep doing it because it seems to be working.

Witness all the marionettes here at DU dancing on those GOP strings.

[wandy]

19. Although this event may be serendipitous it does provide an excellent opportunity........

to exploit what is a liberal strength and weakness.
Sure we're all over here hashing out different points of views occasionally becoming unhappy with each other, but in general trying to come to an understanding of things.

Teapublicans do not work like that.

I strongly suspect that at the moment GOP co. has not fully figured out how to use this to their advantage, without pissing off the M.I.C.

It is just a matter of time before the "right" message is formulated. It will be placed in the echo chamber as TRUTH and all the good conservatives will paul parrot it faithfully.

Can you say Benghazi?

[riqster]

25. If it stays in the Echo Chamber, I'm good with that.

It's when it leaks out that I get worried.

[davidpdx]

43. I agree, the 2014 election was going to be rough already

I full expect we will not retake the House. The Senate we will keep just by the skin of our teeth. This will allow the Republicans to start impeachment proceedings (if they don't do so before than). I've consistently said they will try to impeach him if he won re-election since early last fall.

[riqster]

45. And they are doing the same thing they did to Clinton

And people are falling for it. Again.

[sibelian]

16. Yeeeeahhhhhh, because keeping records of your citizens activities is totally like adultery.

Mmmm-hm.

[riqster]

18. Of course it isn't

But the scandal game being run by the GOP IS the same.

[sibelian]

20. Really?

Which prominent GOP representatives have commented on it? I've been following the story rather haphazardly, I must confess. Can you point me in the direction of their input?

[riqster]

23. I don't think you're getting the point

Example A: The GOP uses scandal after scandal to weaken a Dem Prexy (Clinton). Mission accomplished, in part because the bulk of Americans failed to see the scam.

Example B: The GOP is using scandal after scandal to weaken a Dem Prexy (Obama). Mission is well on the way to being accomplished, in part because the bulk of Americans are once again failing to see the scam.


Hope that helps.

[Hydra]

22. Sure it's the same

This doesn't happen to be part of it- Domestic Spying for fun, entertainment and murder is a Bipartisan lovefest. They've circled the wagons and all our favorite people are telling them to "Trust them!"

Sorry, I trust Boehner about as far as I can throw one of his mansions, and that goes for anyone standing with him at the time.

[bvar22]

21. Another desperate attempt to Attack the Messenger,

...and another embarrassing failure.

[riqster]

24. Hardly

Snowden is not the issue. The people, who are using him are the same sort of scum that used Lewinsky.

Nobody seems to be paying attention to the man behind the curtain. That is usually a fatal error.

[bvar22]

26. Is today BACKWARDS DAY????

It is Snowden who is saying that Americans NEED to pay attention to the Men behind the Curtain of Secrecy.

It is YOU telling people nevermind....nothing to see here... everything is A-OK...don't pay attention to Whistle Blowers.



I can't decide which is more idiotic.
Bob Schieffer comparing Snowden to MLK and Rosa Parks last Sunday,
or your post trying to equate him to Monica Lewinsky.
Are you REALLY THAT DESPERATE?

You DO understand that there is a BIG difference between Consenting Adult Sex in a Private location,
and the Government collecting private data on MILLIONS of Americans without warrants.
("Secret" Rubber Stamped Warrants from "Secret" Courts don't count).


Yes, Alice.
We HAVE fallen down a Rabbit Hole into Backwards World,
and the local residents are delusional and desperate.
We gotta get OUT of THIS place.



You will know them by their WORKS.

[riqster]

37. The similarity is

how the both of them were used to keep the scandal machine cranked up so as to weaken Dem Presidents, thus enabling Reeps to seize power.

[bvar22]

38. The only thing that statement deserves is deep, pitying, laughter.

Thanks for being so honest.
You see EVERYTHING through the lens of political gain PERIOD.
Issues, policies, values, direction of the Democratic Party, co-option of the Democratic Party by Monied Republican Interests,
doesn't mean a damned thing to you, does it?

The only thing that matters is winning the BIG Red vs Blue Homecoming Game,
and if we have to sacrifice EVERYTHING of Democratic Party value (like Social Security),
then ISSUES BE DAMNED. If we have to become Republicans to defeat Republicans...then its OK with YOU???!!!

Others here, including ME, acknowledge a hierarchy of priorities,
and the 4th Amendment and the building of a mammoth SPY Machine to SPY on Americans
trumps petty, near sighted, partisan "gains".
[font size=3]What is the value if a Political Party gains the World,
but loses its soul and shits on its base"?[/font](---bvar22)

Again, thanks for the honesty.
I've always suspected that that was the reason behind the Blind Faith Allegiance,
but I've never heard someone from your group come right out and admit it.
It is not very flattering.

[font size=3]CENTRISM....because it is so EASY!
You don't have to STAND for ANYTHING,
and get to insult those who do!!!

[riqster]

39. No, actually, you've missed the point entirely.

The point being: while the public chases after these bright shiny objects, led about by the noses by the Reeps, valuable time is being wasted. Time that COULD be used to deal with judicial nominees. Women's rights. Voting rights. Economic inequality. The environment. Real issues that make a real difference to the real world most of us live in. These are not "petty" things that are "trumped" by fourth amendment concerns. People fucking DIE daily because of these important issues, and matters of life and death are pretty fucking crucial.

And instead of telling the propagandists to pound sand, far too many Americans (and yes, DUers) buy into the politics of distraction/destruction.

I don't give a happy monkey's fuck for either party as an entity: see Washington's Farewell speech for why I say this. But the Republican party has become a criminal enterprise in the past few decades, and when I see them working their scummy little charades, well, fuck YEAH I'm gonna call them out. Because the outcome of their activities means dead women and children.

I can't think of anything in the world more important to any person of good will: Left, Right, or Center that is more important than saving lives. And THAT, my lad, is my mission in life. Having been homeless, raped, abused, and marginalized in my own life, I have no room in my soul to empathize with those who would kill little kids to score political points.

So fuck the "Republican" party, with a sandy lubricant and various nasty implements. And fuck any and everyone who enables them in their inhuman and revolting activities.

[Major Hogwash]

41. It went right over his head.

The most pertinent line in the movie "JFK", directed by Oliver Stone, was spoken by the character known as X, who said,

That's the real question isn't it: why? The how and the who is just scenery for the public. Oswald, Ruby, Cuba, The Mafia, keeps 'em guessing like some kind of parlor game, prevents 'em from asking the most important question: why? Why was Kennedy Killed? Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? Who?

Who stands to gain from trashing President Obama?

[riqster]

44. Nicely and neatly put.

[LondonReign2]

27. Hmmmmm

Sex between consenting adults = unconstitutional spying on every citizen in the US

Yes, the similarities are unmistakably

[Fire Walk With Me]

28. This is a repub plot against a dem pres? Do you know nothing of the neocon/plutonomist plot

to control the country using an increasingly militarized surveillance state, justifying the dismantling of the Constitution and our founding values because

TERROR!

?

And how the Bush family in particular profit financially and in terms of power...they made some $2 billion from Booz Allen, telling their long-time Mid-East friends how to "data mine".

...a quotation in an October 17, 2004, The New York Times Magazine article by writer Ron Suskind, quoting an unnamed aide to George W. Bush (later attributed to Karl Rove[1]):

The aide said that guys like me were "in what we call the reality-based community," which he defined as people who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality." ... "That's not the way the world really works anymore," he continued. "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors…and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality-based_community


The Project for the New American Century (PNAC) was an American think tank based in Washington, D.C. established in 1997 as a non-profit educational organization founded by William Kristol and Robert Kagan. The PNAC's stated goal is "to promote American global leadership."[1] Fundamental to the PNAC were the view that "American leadership is both good for America and good for the world" and support for "a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity."[2] With its members in numerous key administrative positions, the PNAC exerted influence on high-level U.S. government officials in the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush and affected the Bush Administration's development of military and foreign policies, especially involving national security and the Iraq War.[3][4]

"New Pearl Harbor"

Section V of Rebuilding America's Defenses, entitled "Creating Tomorrow's Dominant Force", includes the sentence: "Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new Pearl Harbor" (51).[14]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_Century#.22New_Pearl_Harbor.22


This is not about repub versus dem. This is about them versus everyone else.

[riqster]

29. And while we focus on the scandal DU jour

Nothing else gets done. That is what I am pointing out.

And that is what the Reeps want. They are getting what they want.

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. Thank You. Does anyone remember when we were in the middle of the gun debate, and we thought we....

had the Repukes on the ropes? Michael Isikoff said the word "Drones", and the so-called progressive media went off on a tangent. What passes for progressive media sucks as hard as the teanutters & Drudge. Then they have the nerve to turn around and point the finger at Pres. Obama when nothing progressive gets done.

I mostly agree with your critique, but the firebaggers have their own agenda, and it's similar to the teanutters. Distract & Divert. That way, they can claim the POTUS ineffective, and Dems should be replaced. It's straight from Ralph Nader's playbook, because their intent is the same as Republicans, and that's to demolish the Democratic Party.

[riqster]

32. +1

[reformist2]

31. The ridiculosity of the anti-Snowden crowd is reaching new heights!

[riqster]

33. Didn't read it, eh?

If you had, you'd know that's not what I said.

[bemildred]

34. Right. The problem is that Snowden has an issue that resonates.

He has forced the subject into public discourse. If the government really wants to avoid this sort of scandal they need to debate this stuff in public and live with the results instead of trying to keep it all secret.

But you are totally correct about why we are hearing this NOW.

[riqster]

35. Agreed on both of your points.

And if we were still focused on judicial nominations, women's choice issues, jobs, social justice and everything else that we claim to prioritize I wouldn't be on about this.

When will we learn to multitask?

[Cha]

36. Of course Rand Paul did.. this is Rand Paul and

Ted Cruz' impact on the Senate Sensible Gun Laws' Vote.. from VP Biden..

2. In the wake of the gun vote, Biden considers Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) two of the most powerful Republican senators. “Think about this,” he said. “Have you ever seen a time when two freshman senators are able to cower the bulk of the Republican Party in the Senate? That is not hyperbole.”

“On the gun issue, I don’t care what your position is — I called 17 senators out, 9 of whom were Republicans,” he added. “Not one of them offered an explanation on the merits of why they couldn’t vote for the background check. But almost to a person, they said, ‘I don’t want to take on Ted Cruz. I don’t want to take on Rand Paul. They’ll be in my district.’

“I actually said, ‘Are you kidding? These are two freshman,’” Biden added. “This is a different, party folks. They’re not bad guys, and they’re both very bright guys. And I’m not questioning their motive.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/11/biden-unplugged-on-behalf-of-markeys-senate-bid/
And, of course.. according to leaker Snowden.. the US started "spying" on China in 2009. Coincidence? hardly.

[Enthusiast]

40. How did Lewinsky

cause Clinton to sign NAFTA, the Telecommunications Act and Gramm-Leach-Bliley?

[ucrdem]

42. Good one.

Personally I think he's the new improved Assange, who had his own blue dress crisis and was replaced by an all-American model ready for the tough job of helping Dems lose in 2014.

[Enrique]

46. Except the Republicans support Obama on NSA

other than that, yeah it's a partisan faux scandal.

[riqster]

47. Crap.

The Reeps started the domestic spying program, and are protecting themselves.

And the point of the OP was the pattern if behavior, which your post failed to address.

[Enrique]

48. partisans on both sides hate the attention on the NSA

they both want to get back to the fake scandals like the IRS. Along with the media. They're all much more comfortable with the Dems vs Repubs nonsense.

[riqster]

49. I am down with the Patriot act getting repealed and the Surveillance State being dismantled.

What I object to is playing along with the overall, partisan war being waged, via successive scandals, by the GOP. They are doing unto Obama what they did to Clinton, and far too many people either ignore this, or aid and abet them in their activities.

[baldguy]

50. And the GOP will be perfectly happy to allow our short-sighted Dems to lob a few mudballs at Obama.

Especially since the GOP's aim has been a little off lately.