A Response to Your Petition on Edward Snowden

I was surprised to see they've answered every outstanding petition today: http://twitter.com/wethepeople

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarianism

    1. limited, not responsible, political pluralism
    2. a basis for legitimacy based on emotion, especially the 
       identification of the regime as a necessary evil to combat 
       "easily recognizable societal problems" such as 
       underdevelopment or insurgency
    3. neither "intensive nor extensive political mobilization" and
       constraints on the mass public (such as repressive tactics 
       against opponents and a prohibition of anti-regime activity)
    4. "formally ill-defined" executive power, often shifting or vague

It was actually all in thr PBS/NYTimes story United States of secrets.

Probably the best documentary on thid whole thing i have seen.

> Since taking office, President Obama has worked with Congress to secure appropriate reforms that balance the protection of civil liberties with the ability of national security professionals to secure information vital to keep Americans safe.

Yes of course he has.

> Mr. Snowden's dangerous decision to steal and disclose classified information had severe consequences for the security of our country and the people who work day in and day out to protect it.

Has it? Has it really? Where's the proof of this?

> If he felt his actions were consistent with civil disobedience, then he should do what those who have taken issue with their own government do: Challenge it, speak out, engage in a constructive act of protest, and -- importantly -- accept the consequences of his actions. 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. Right now, he's running away from the consequences of his actions.

He tried the official route a number of times and was readily ignored, remember? Given that the NSA's actions were deemed unlawful, his actions were in the public interest and he deserves protections as a whistleblower.

However the people aren't fucking stupid. We know all he will face if he returns home is life in prison. At best.

> We live in a dangerous world. We continue to face grave security threats like terrorism, cyber-attacks, and nuclear proliferation that our intelligence community must have all the lawful tools it needs to address.

Hmm yes. All those civil libereties groups, charities, foreign businesses and allied politicians you spied on sure are dangerous. Got to keep them in check lest they attack America with their ball-point pens!

My translation of this entire response;

"We have heard your voices and grievances and honestly couldn't give two shits about what you think. You have no power here."

Secret courts, gag orders, free speech zones... How exactly does one speak out?

> 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. Right now, he's running away from the consequences of his actions.

A jury of his peers? You really want me to believe you wouldn't boot any of his actual peers out of jury selection?

Implying Snowden is "hiding" when he's given up his family, home, and a nice paycheck is the most disgusting, cowardly thing to say.

What a joke our government has become.