NSA’s Indiscriminate Spying ‘Collapsing,’ Snowden Says In Open Letter
Source: WASHINGTON POST
By Bradley Brooks, Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 6:07 PM
RIO DE JANEIRO National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden wrote in a lengthy open letter to the people of Brazil that he has been inspired by the global debate ignited by his release of thousands of documents, and that the NSAs culture of indiscriminate global espionage is collapsing.
In the letter, Snowden commended the Brazilian government for its strong stand against U.S. spying.
He wrote that he would be willing to help the South American nation investigate NSA spying on its soil but could not fully participate in doing so without being granted political asylum, because the U.S. government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak.
--CLIP
The documents revealed that Brazil is the top NSA target in Latin America, in spying that has included the monitoring of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseffs cellphone and hacking into the internal network of state-run oil company Petrobras.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nsas-indiscriminate-spying-collapsing-snowden-says-in-open-letter/2013/12/17/ecfcdad6-674f-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
SpcMnky
(73 posts)In a just world, you would be in a witness protection program until the big bosses were taken down, and it was safe once more for you to enjoy your freedom.
Only in the world of a sick, guilty, and extremely dangerous, and violent minority would you be considered a traitor, or "rat".
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
SpcMnky
(73 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
George II
(67,782 posts)....and his only friend in the world lives in Brazil.
Most people are tired of Snowden and consider him a criminal. Even Bernie Sanders said as much in an interview on MSNBC today. Sanders said he violated his sworn oath, broke the law, and should face a jury to decide his fate.
If its good enough for Bernie Sanders, its good enough for me.
frylock
(34,825 posts)do you have polling data?
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)Sorry to burst your bubble, but most of the world sees him as a hero. As for oaths, there are more sacred things than swearing to keep quiet about spying on your fellow humans. I don't care waht Sanders said. And, as for it being good enough for you if it's good enough for Sanders? I think you'd side with anyone who agrees with you. So what?
George II
(67,782 posts)....and see if anyone gives him a ticker tape parade down Broadway?
muriel_volestrangler
(101,322 posts)Why did Nelson Mandela hide from the apartheid government, if he was a hero?
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)You really are on the wrong forum.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,322 posts)Nelson Mandela was a hero, but he hid from the apartheid government. Therefore pointing out that Snowden is hiding from the American government does not mean that he isn't a hero. I'm pointing out how useless George II's post was, by giving an example of a hero who hid from his government.
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)When in doubt, hurl an insult. Does that add anything to the discussion?
You know, if someone doesn't understand something, you should just explain. There is no need to be rude and insult people, especially if you want them to listen to what you're saying.
Welcome to Ignore.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,322 posts)A comment like that deserves some sarcasm.
George II
(67,782 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)That is offensively ludicrous, but to address your own poorly informed, "dumb" question:
First, Nelson Mandela never left the country
Second, Nelson Mandela never backed down in face of government prosecution and persecution
Third, Nelson Mandela never hid from the apartheid government. The only "hiding" that he did was because he was banned from making public appearances, so he did so incognito to continue working against the government.
Finally, when charged with a crime by the government, he faced it bravely and was repeatedly convicted and jailed, the last time for 27 years.
Snowden?
muriel_volestrangler
(101,322 posts)The key to being underground is to be invisible. Just as there is a way to walk in a room in order to make yourself stand out, there is a way of walking and behaving that makes you inconspicuous. As a leader, one often seeks prominence; as an outlaw, the opposite is true. When underground I did not walk as tall or stand as straight. I spoke more softly, with less clarity and distinction. I was more passive, more unobtrusive; I did not ask for things, but instead let people tell me what to do. I did not shave or cut my hair. My most frequent disguise was as a chauffeur, a chef, or a "garden boy." I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car and I wore a chauffeur's cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master's car.
During those early months, when there was a warrant for my arrest and I was being pursued by the police, my outlaw existence caught the imagination of the press. Articles claiming that I had been here and there were on the front pages. Roadblocks were instituted all over the country, but the police repeatedly came up empty-handed. I was dubbed the Black Pimpernel, a somewhat derogatory adaptation of Baroness Orczy's fictional character the Scarlet Pimpernel, who daringly evaded capture during the French Revolution.
I traveled secretly about the country; I was with Muslims in the Cape; with sugar-workers in Natal; with factory workers in Port Elizabeth; I moved through townships in different parts of the country attending secret meetings at night. I would even feed the mythology of the Black Pimpernel by taking a pocketful of "tickeys" 20 (threepenny pieces) and phoning individual newspaper reporters from telephone boxes and relaying to them stories of what we were planning or of the ineptitude of the police. I would pop up here and there to the annoyance of the police and to the delight of the people.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/revolution/living.html
...
Then on 11 January 1962, Mr Mandela had secretly, and illegally, slipped out of South Africa.
His mission was to meet as many African political leaders as possible and garner assistance for the ANC, including money and training for its military wing.
...
Mr Mandela's presence in Addis Ababa was supposed to be top secret. But physically he stood out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23515879
George II
(67,782 posts)...financial aid and training, with the full intention of returning, which he did.
As far as hiding out, yes he did, and again for a relatively short time.
Tell you what, after Snowden spend 27 years in prison, then we'll look to comparing them. Better yet, after he spends even ONE DAY in jail I'd be willing to start considering a comparison of the two - okay?
Th1onein
(8,514 posts)Look at those who were whistleblowers before him. Their lives are ruined. I don't blame him one bit.
randome
(34,845 posts)He sure seems willing to run and hide a lot for someone who doesn't want to hide.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]
2banon
(7,321 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Most people think NSA is criminal...not Snowden who is trying to protect the American people from being criminalized while NSA tries to seize power. They spend all their time monitoring influential citizens and businesses and being an arm of the drug war. It was never about protecting the people. It's about monopolies and money. I wouldn't be quoting Bernie for sympathy. At least your not George I. He is worse than GW.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)"In the letter, Snowden commended the Korean government for its strong stand against annoying relatives . . . "
p.s.