"Challenge it, speak out, engage in a constructive act of protest"
How do you do this when secret courts can keep you silenced?
A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
21–30 of 157 posts
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#22> He should come home to the United States, and be judged by a jury of his peers -- not hide behind the cover of an authoritarian regime. Not sure what I was expecting.
I am not from the USA and have little knowledge of such legal processes. Would he really be judged by his a jury of his peers? I was under the impression that he would forever be put to jail for treason the minute he stepped on American soil.
He would almost certainly be put in jail as soon as he stepped foot on American Soil. In most circumstances someone could make bail awaiting trial, but considering that he'd been hiding in another country (and the government would argue that he might run off again) it would be very doubtful for him.
But then they would have a trial. It would likely take a very long time (and he would likely be in jail during it).
The term 'jury of his peers' means regular American citizens (not judges or other government officials). Sadly, the government has done a good job of convincing many people that all their spying on us is for our own safety. They'd just need to work to get 12 people that believed that (while Snowden's attorney's would work to get at least one that didn't). Though anyone that already (openly) had an opinion on his guilt or innocence wouldn't be allowed on the jury.
(note: this is assuming a civilian trial. I think they'd have a very hard time trying to give Snowden some sort of military tribunal)
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#23Just a scorpion being a scorpion.
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not from the USA and have little knowledge of such legal processes. Would he really be judged by his a jury of his peers? I was under the impression that he would forever be put to jail for treason the minute he stepped on American soil.
He would almost certainly be put in jail as soon as he stepped foot on American Soil. In most circumstances someone could make bail awaiting trial, but considering that he'd been hiding in another country (and the government would argue that he might run off again) it would be very doubtful for him. But then they would have a trial. It would likely take a very long time (and he would likely be in jail during it). The…
Most importantly, anyone with knowledge of jury nullification [1] would not be allowed on the jury.
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#25I have doubts whether Edward Snowden would get a fair open trial, with a jury of his peers. Serious doubts. The entire Snowden affair reminds me very much of Daniel Ellsberg. At the time Ellsberg was condemed by many (especially in the military industrial complex) as a traitor but now I think that just about everyone believes that Ellsberg did a good thing for our country and society. I think that history will look k…
> I have doubts whether Edward Snowden would get a fair open trial, with a jury of his peers.
There's not really a lot of doubt. A trial under the Espionage Act is not a fair, open trial.
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not from the USA and have little knowledge of such legal processes. Would he really be judged by his a jury of his peers? I was under the impression that he would forever be put to jail for treason the minute he stepped on American soil.
He would almost certainly be put in jail as soon as he stepped foot on American Soil. In most circumstances someone could make bail awaiting trial, but considering that he'd been hiding in another country (and the government would argue that he might run off again) it would be very doubtful for him. But then they would have a trial. It would likely take a very long time (and he would likely be in jail during it). The…
> But then they would have a trial. It would likely take a very long time (and he would likely be in jail during it).
Of note: the Espionage Act forbids a public interest or whistleblower defense. His conviction would be a foregone conclusion.
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#27When is the NSA gonna face the consequences of its actions? All these people who lied under oath in front of congress and the American people, when are they gonna face the consequences of their actions?
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#28I have doubts whether Edward Snowden would get a fair open trial, with a jury of his peers. Serious doubts. The entire Snowden affair reminds me very much of Daniel Ellsberg. At the time Ellsberg was condemed by many (especially in the military industrial complex) as a traitor but now I think that just about everyone believes that Ellsberg did a good thing for our country and society. I think that history will look k…
When John Kerry called Snowden a coward and a traitor, Ellsberg wrote an article for the Guardian, "Snowden would not get a fair trial - and Kerry is wrong" [1], concluding:
"John Kerry's challenge to Snowden to return and face trial is either disingenuous or simply ignorant that current prosecutions under the Espionage Act allow no distinction whatever between a patriotic whistleblower and a spy. Either way, nothing excuses Kerry's slanderous and despicable characterizations of a young man who, in my opinion, has done more than anyone in or out of government in this century to demonstrate his patriotism, moral courage and loyalty to the oath of office the three of us swore: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States."
[1]: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/30/daniel-...
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#29> Instead of constructively addressing these issues
LOL. Tell me the last time our Congress have constructively addressed anything...
Re: A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden
#30This is an infuriating response. They never own up to their own wrong doing, make very strong accusations.... which, I suppose we're suppose to take as truth because they're the authority?
Then they call for him to come back, and act like a fair trial is even possible.
I don't think there's anything Obama can do short of a complete pardon to fix this.
If we want a real resolution, I think we'll need wait until after 2016.