Snowden says ruling vindicates leak of NSA files

[Indi Guy]

Source: USA Today

Edward Snowden said Monday that his decision to expose National Security Agency surveillance programs was vindicated by a federal judge's ruling that the mass collection of phone data is probably unconstitutional.

"I acted on my belief that the N.S.A.'s mass surveillance programs would not withstand a constitutional challenge, and that the American public deserved a chance to see these issues determined by open courts," Snowden, who resides in Russia under temporary political asylum, said in a statement. "Today, a secret program authorized by a secret court was, when exposed to the light of day, found to violate Americans' rights. It is the first of many."

Snowden's statement was passed to The New York Times by journalist Glenn Greenwald, who while working for the Guardian broke the story about the bulk collection of data based on secret files the former NSA contractor shared. Two weeks ago, the Guardian's editor said the newspaper had published only 1% of the material.

Greenwald echoed Snowden's sentiments during an appearance on MSNBC. He praised him because Snowden "came forward because, as he said, he found out that the government in secret was violating our constitutional rights, and could not in good conscience let that stand."...



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/16/nsa-phone-data-ruling-snowden-reaction/4045387/

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[Warpy]

1. I think as time goes on, his heroism in blowing the whistle

will become more and more recognized.

That won't stop the government from trying to nab him and use him as an example to crush other would be whistle blowers before they try it.

[Helen Borg]

2. That's right!

And they will also try to plug all the holes in their systems. However, this is impossible because you need people to plug the holes and you need to trust them, and some of these people may be like Snowden.

[Pholus]

5. Definitely I see more stories about stomping leakers than actual protecting us from terror...

I guess that shows their priorities almost as clearly as their poor choices in iconography....

[Ash_F]

6. Sweet Jebus. It's even sucking on the face of America!

You can't make that shit up.

[Pholus]

7. I know, right?

It might almost be merely tasteless instead of hilariously tasteless if it didn't feature them sucking America off the globe instead of the purported baddies.

[Indi Guy]

10. Looks like Canada's...

...taking on allot of collateral damage there too.

[Indi Guy]

9. I suspect that the government will make a good show of it (pursuing Snowden) ...

...but will only be half-hearted in their efforts. Given Snowden's approval compared to that of the NSA, I doubt that the government wants to be saddled with the prospect of making a martyr out of who is a hero to some ...while propping up what is perceived as tyranny to many.

[cantbeserious]

3. Snowden Did Humanity A Big Favor

eom

[Indi Guy]

12. Yes;...

...and at great personal cost.

[Douglas Carpenter]

4. knr

[wildbilln864]

8. k & r! n/t

[Lenomsky]

11. He's a brave soul I commend him!