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Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

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Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#52
post #30

1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? Is he Saul Goodman? 2. It's a shame no-one asked him about his opinions on Russia's recent actions. I know it isn't anything to do with the revelations he exposed, but seeking asylum in Russia makes him part of the broader political game.

Why do you care what Snowden's feelings regarding the recent commotion are? He might be part of a political "game", but seeking asylum in Russia doesn't make him an expert on their foreign politics any more so than it makes Libyan refugees in Germany experts on Merkel's finance policy.

Regardless of whether it might reveal either a gap between his stance and his hosts or between him and US opinion, it just isn't relevant. Might as well ask him about his stance on drug policy, nuclear energy or GMO food.

The Saul Goodman backdrop, though -- pretty funny as a tongue in cheek reference, I guess, pretty cheesy otherwise.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#53
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really think his goal was to get them to rescind their invitation? I don't think I'm typically cynical on such matters but I have little doubt that his goal was to get publicity for asking for this invitation to be rescinded. I suspect he got exactly what he wanted here -- go on record against Snowden and get liberals attacking him. That can only help him fend off potential threats in a primary later this year…

> "and get liberals attacking him" If there is one thing I don't understand about this entire issue, it is how partisan politics are actually playing out. Normally I just look at what people in my extended family think, but all of the Republicans/conservatives in my extended family think that all of this NSA stuff is A Big Deal (tm) and think Snowden a patriotic hero (presumably because they think that it paints the…

Forget the parties. Both sides have statists and anti statists. GOP senators like McCain, graham, are defending Obama on this, while democrats like Wyden, or Udall are aggressively anti nsa.

Feinstein, Pelosi, are super pro-NSA and they represent the most liberal population of the USA (California and San Francisco). Rand Paul who spoke against drones and said "if snowden should go to jail, then Clapper should join him" is from Kentucky. Wyden and Udall are from Oregon and Colorado.

I hate to generalize but it seems politicians from rural states are more pro-snowden, and those from the coast are pro-NSA.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#54
post #30

1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? Is he Saul Goodman? 2. It's a shame no-one asked him about his opinions on Russia's recent actions. I know it isn't anything to do with the revelations he exposed, but seeking asylum in Russia makes him part of the broader political game.

>1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? I'm as politically cynical as just about anyone I know. I have no faith in either party. Ron Paul was the only remotely interesting candidate in the primaries, but after he lost I couldn't care less about the Obama vs Romney election. Both are empty suits beholden to the highest bidder. Sure, the parties are great at focusing on polarizing issues like abortion…

[deleted]

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#56
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "and get liberals attacking him" If there is one thing I don't understand about this entire issue, it is how partisan politics are actually playing out. Normally I just look at what people in my extended family think, but all of the Republicans/conservatives in my extended family think that all of this NSA stuff is A Big Deal (tm) and think Snowden a patriotic hero (presumably because they think that it paints the…

Forget the parties. Both sides have statists and anti statists. GOP senators like McCain, graham, are defending Obama on this, while democrats like Wyden, or Udall are aggressively anti nsa. Feinstein, Pelosi, are super pro-NSA and they represent the most liberal population of the USA (California and San Francisco). Rand Paul who spoke against drones and said "if snowden should go to jail, then Clapper should join hi…

> I hate to generalize but it seems politicians from rural states are more pro-snowden, and those from the coast are pro-NSA.

Good observation.

There are more terrorism targets on the coasts, too. I imagine these politicians have to pander to the "fear factor" of their constituents who are worried they'll get dirty-bombed by a terrorist unless we check under our beds for terrorists every night.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#57
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>>but all of the Republicans/conservatives in my extended family think that all of this NSA stuff is A Big Deal(tm) and think Snowden a patriotic hero (presumably because they think that it paints the Obama administration in a bad light, which they are always all for.) I'm glad there are republicans/conservatives that are against what NSA is doing because it supports my wild theory[1] about what would happen if thing…

> Since he doesn't need to be re-elected, I'm assuming the opinions he has these days are truly his own without any other motive. That hurts. :( If you believe he's doing it because it's what he believes is best for the country, that's the best you can hope for I guess. He's a smart guy, with an appreciation of the Constitution, and a lot more information available to him than the vast majority of people on any issue…

Any president would act thusly. He doesn't think he will abuse the power, and closing down the programs could risk him being blamed for any and all bad guy stuff for the rest of his term.

There is no upside for someone with power to ever give it up, for any reason at all. I'm still trying to figure out Gorbachev.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#58
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really think his goal was to get them to rescind their invitation? I don't think I'm typically cynical on such matters but I have little doubt that his goal was to get publicity for asking for this invitation to be rescinded. I suspect he got exactly what he wanted here -- go on record against Snowden and get liberals attacking him. That can only help him fend off potential threats in a primary later this year…

> "and get liberals attacking him" If there is one thing I don't understand about this entire issue, it is how partisan politics are actually playing out. Normally I just look at what people in my extended family think, but all of the Republicans/conservatives in my extended family think that all of this NSA stuff is A Big Deal (tm) and think Snowden a patriotic hero (presumably because they think that it paints the…

I have some pro-NSA conservatives in the family. I characterize them as being proNSA solely because they are seen as a government "defense" agency. They dislike Snowden solely because he broke the law. They have no concept of civil disobedience, I've made the MLK argument. They also don't fully grasp the severity of what the NSA is doing or it's implications. They also mostly believe what Fox News tells then too. I enjoy debating with them and find that they acknowledge logic, but fail to reason with it on most points.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#59
post #30

1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? Is he Saul Goodman? 2. It's a shame no-one asked him about his opinions on Russia's recent actions. I know it isn't anything to do with the revelations he exposed, but seeking asylum in Russia makes him part of the broader political game.

>1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? I'm as politically cynical as just about anyone I know. I have no faith in either party. Ron Paul was the only remotely interesting candidate in the primaries, but after he lost I couldn't care less about the Obama vs Romney election. Both are empty suits beholden to the highest bidder. Sure, the parties are great at focusing on polarizing issues like abortion…

> BUT, Snowden is the best example that I know of as a person that really values the plan for the US as laid out by the Constitution and who saw first hand an insidious threat to ignoring those principles without the public even being aware. If there's anyone who has earned the right to call himself a true patriot and defender of the Constitution, it's Edward Snowden.

This is naïve at best. At most, he's shown some interest in a tiny portion of the Constitution but his alignment with Russia and his appeal to dictatorships for asylum shows he doesn't value freedom of speech and other values enshrined in the Constitution.

Re: Edward Snowden SXSW live stream

#60
post #31
post #30

1. Did he really have the US Constitution as a backdrop? Is he Saul Goodman? 2. It's a shame no-one asked him about his opinions on Russia's recent actions. I know it isn't anything to do with the revelations he exposed, but seeking asylum in Russia makes him part of the broader political game.

There's a right time and right place to publicly criticize a country's actions, and I think it comes after you no longer depend on that country for political asylum

So basically he's just an opportunist who lives in a country as long as it suits him and then leaves it when he's being inconvenienced?
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