There's virtually no way of knowing what's true and not true about Snowden

[cali]

is he a libertarian nutcase? an immature kid? a crazed computer nerd? a mole for China/Russia/who knows where? what he says he is, a citizen concerned about the overarching security state?

tinker, tailor, soldier, spy.

there's a mass of contradictory information swirling about.

Has there been a disinformation campaign mounted against him?

All of which brings us back again to what should be front and center: the encroaching national security state.

Can we all agree on this at least? Support for Senator Leahy's newly introduced bill reigning in some programs?

<snip>

The bill would expand reporting requirements for the secret programs, add more court reviews and move up the expiration of the authorization for some of the data collection by 2-1/2 years.

It is similar to legislation that Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, has introduced twice before. But it may have more momentum now that Snowden has triggered a debate about the proper balance between Americans' privacy and national security.

<snip>

Among other things, the bill would let the government obtain records using Section 215 of the Patriot Act only when it can establish that the information is relevant to an authorized investigation and linked to a foreign terrorist group or power.

Critics have argued that Section 215 vastly expanded the U.S. government's power to spy on Americans.

The legislation would also shorten the expiration of the FISA Amendments Act to June 2015 from December 2017, and require an audit on the impact of the surveillance on Americans' privacy.

<snip>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/patrick-leahy-nsa_n_3492512.html

If you support this legislation, call your Senators and reps and tell them so.

[JaneyVee]

1. I support any notion to scale back these programs based on debating their merits and necessity,

I don't support giving classified US intelligence to foreign countries.

[cali]

2. so will you call your rep and senators and tell them you support the Leahy bill?

[JaneyVee]

4. Definitely.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. The Facts we know are

The government are spying on most US citizens.
That is not denied they just call it legal.

We do know NSA officials LIED BEFORE CONGRESS

The EU is not happy.

Snowden is that 'thin gray line' but has revealed something that did awaken the populous. His motives are not the question its what was revealed with spying and private contractors.

Propaganda, PsyOPs and misinformation, misdirection is what intelligence agencies do...... so stories will be fabricated or not.. the truth will reveal itself one day with a good FOIA request...LOL

I really think that the world is watching...how governments play their game and they are calling foul,not just the US but are questioning their own governments now.

[Cleita]

5. Does he exist? I'm beginning to wonder.

No one has seen him since his girl friend last saw him. Maybe the real Edward Snowden is on a beach somewhere in an obscure S. Pacific Ocean atoll and the people who are really doing the leaking and whistle blowing are using his identity to do so. In the meantime he probably got a brand new identity and some millions to tide him over.

[Th1onein]

6. I support this legislation. And I'm kicking and reccing your post.

Thank you.