Would you report on illegal government spying today?

[last1standing]

Ask yourself this question and answer yourself honestly:

If you were a journalist or blogger and came into possession today of proof that our government was illegally spying on its citizens, would you report on it?

Now, when you thought about the question did you feel even a little bit scared? Did the prospect of performing a public service for your fellow Americans frighten you at all?

If it did, or you were, then the government has succeeded in what it set out to accomplish.

Fear and intimidation.

This is why the administration doesn't seem to care about how it is being viewed by it's own citizens. The purpose of this operation isn't to obtain documents, they know that they will never remove them from possible circulation. The end goal is to frighten and intimidate others so that no one is willing to suffer the consequences that come from being a whistle blower or a journalist who publishes abuses.

So here's another question:

Can a government that rules through intimidation and fear truly be considered legitimate?

[MineralMan]

1. Sure. I've never been famous.

That'd be way cool! I might even get some groupies and stuff.

So, you bet. What's not to like about that?

[librechik]

2. yep-but I would remain anonymous.

if i possibly could. Going public is apparently a very bad policy.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Yeah, I would do it.

But the real question is would you, as a government worker, take government documents that would expose corruption or other crimes and give them to a journalist? That is what really takes guts. Those are the people who are truly making a sacrifice and have strength of character.