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Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

theatlantic.com

91–100 of 106 posts

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#91
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was the recent Rolling Stone reporter whose car was jimmied to stick the throttle at maximum, killing him in an "accident". No investigation. Nobody will be prosecuted for that.

Not that I’m expecting this kind of situation in my life, but I wonder if there would be any workaround in this situation? Could you shift out of gear? Turn the car off? Deploy a large cartoon parachute? Of course if an agency like this wanted me dead I’m sure evading one attempt would only prolong my life shortly.

He must have tried all of those things he could, in the time he had.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am on a safe comfortable bed in a safe comfortable flat in a safe comfortable city. My friends in Ukraine are not so fortunate; they are profoundly unsafe and uncomfortable and they and many of their friends and family are now dead, refugees, or Russian prisoners, and their neighbors’ houses were turned to rubble. Neither are the Russian journalists recently murdered or thrown in prison for nothing. Neither are the…

Do you think that all NGO presidents living in the US should resign because of the abuses of their government? No? Then why are you calling out Snowden for hypocrisy?

I think presidents of human rights related NGOs should actively speak out against ongoing genocide, yes.

Presidents of environmental justice NGOs should speak out when governments (including those where they live) allow toxic sludge to flow into rivers.

Presidents of journalistic freedom NGOs should speak out when journalists are being killed, imprisoned, and censored.

Presidents of consumer rights NGOs should speak out when popular products kill consumers.

Presidents of veterans NGOs should speak out when veterans are denied healthcare.

Presidents of children’s rights NGOs should speak out when children are systematically abused.

Etc.

Fortunately, presidents of NGOs don’t fear for their life in the USA, because the USA is substantially governed by laws, and American residents enjoy freedom of speech and association. NGO presidents who criticize the US leadership don’t get defenestrated or disappeared to a gulag.

If someone is president of the Freedom of the Press Foundation and is not in a position to advocate for freedom of the press because they are so afraid for their life they must live in total silence (note though: Snowden did make one post specifically disavowing this scenario), then they are completely useless in that role, and their silence calls into question their past activities and motivations. At that point they should resign and pass the job to someone who can actually do it.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#93
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was the recent Rolling Stone reporter whose car was jimmied to stick the throttle at maximum, killing him in an "accident". No investigation. Nobody will be prosecuted for that.

Not that I’m expecting this kind of situation in my life, but I wonder if there would be any workaround in this situation? Could you shift out of gear? Turn the car off? Deploy a large cartoon parachute? Of course if an agency like this wanted me dead I’m sure evading one attempt would only prolong my life shortly.

Cars breaks as a rule can out power their engines, it’s why they can stop faster than they accelerate. It’s one of those tropes you see in movies but it’s a terrible assassination method that basically requires someone to make multiple mistakes.

There several ways around it from going to neutral to turning off the engine or even crashing is generally survivable, but they depend on the car and roads. Aka I don’t know what would work in a Model T.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#94
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not that I’m expecting this kind of situation in my life, but I wonder if there would be any workaround in this situation? Could you shift out of gear? Turn the car off? Deploy a large cartoon parachute? Of course if an agency like this wanted me dead I’m sure evading one attempt would only prolong my life shortly.

Cars breaks as a rule can out power their engines, it’s why they can stop faster than they accelerate. It’s one of those tropes you see in movies but it’s a terrible assassination method that basically requires someone to make multiple mistakes. There several ways around it from going to neutral to turning off the engine or even crashing is generally survivable, but they depend on the car and roads. Aka I don’t know…

Making shit up, again.

It is a fact that this specific reporter did die in a car wreck exactly as described.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#95
post #94
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cars breaks as a rule can out power their engines, it’s why they can stop faster than they accelerate. It’s one of those tropes you see in movies but it’s a terrible assassination method that basically requires someone to make multiple mistakes. There several ways around it from going to neutral to turning off the engine or even crashing is generally survivable, but they depend on the car and roads. Aka I don’t know…

Making shit up, again . It is a fact that this specific reporter did die in a car wreck exactly as described.

Wow it really is you just making up crazy crap again.

I am not saying the guy did or didn’t die in an actual accident. I am saying the implication that this was an assassination is tinfoil level of crazy because it’s a very avoidable accident and anyone doing even a minimum level of investigation or having ever taken a drivers Ed course should know.

Here’s some of the variety I was talking about: "Smart throttle" solutions

Some new vehicles come with "smart throttle" technology, which reduces the possibility of unintended accelerations caused by mechanical failures. These computer-based systems recognize when both the brake and accelerator are being depressed. They also tell the engine to give precedence to braking and to ignore the accelerator.

https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/...

The also give the normal advice: “Stay calm and try not to panic. Push the brake firmly with both feet and hold it down. Don't pump the brake pedal or release it because you will lose all your vacuum power assist, causing your brakes to become stiff and very hard. Shift the car into neutral. If the car has a manual transmission, remember to depress the clutch to shift gears. Steadily hold the brake and look for an escape route, like a hard shoulder on the highway. Avoid quick lane changes, which could cause you to swerve and lose control of the vehicle. If possible, steer in a straight line. Do not turn off the engine unless shifting into neutral is unsuccessful. Turning off the engine will turn off the power-assist brake functions, making it harder to maneuver the car. When you have come to a controlled stop out of the way of traffic, turn the engine off (if you have not already done so). If you use a key, keep it in the ignition when you turn off the engine so the steering wheel doesn't lock. If your vehicle has a start on/off button, hold the button down for at least three seconds to disable the vehicle. Do not tap repeatedly. Call for assistance. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been professionally serviced.”

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#96
post #95
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Making shit up, again . It is a fact that this specific reporter did die in a car wreck exactly as described.

Wow it really is you just making up crazy crap again. I am not saying the guy did or didn’t die in an actual accident. I am saying the implication that this was an assassination is tinfoil level of crazy because it’s a very avoidable accident and anyone doing even a minimum level of investigation or having ever taken a drivers Ed course should know. Here’s some of the variety I was talking about: "Smart throttle" sol…

Again, making shit up. With added cut'n'paste, for filler! Who do you imagine is not onto you yet?

Obviously the reporter this was done to tried everything. Obviously it did not work. He is in fact dead. Police did in fact refuse to investigate.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#97
post #96
post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow it really is you just making up crazy crap again. I am not saying the guy did or didn’t die in an actual accident. I am saying the implication that this was an assassination is tinfoil level of crazy because it’s a very avoidable accident and anyone doing even a minimum level of investigation or having ever taken a drivers Ed course should know. Here’s some of the variety I was talking about: "Smart throttle" sol…

Again, making shit up. With added cut'n'paste , for filler! Who do you imagine is not onto you yet? Obviously the reporter this was done to tried everything. Obviously it did not work. He is in fact dead. Police did in fact refuse to investigate.

> Obviously the reporter this was done tried everything.

Nope, that’s a huge mistake on your part people panic in an emergency. So you’re making crap up if you think someone must have tried everything let alone tried the right things.

I am not saying he took the key out of the ignition, but if he did he wouldn’t be able to steer. That’s exactly the kind of mistake you can make in a high stress situation and die.

PS: If your old enough to drive please consider taking a defensive driving class, peoples lives are literally on the line.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#98
post #97
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Again, making shit up. With added cut'n'paste , for filler! Who do you imagine is not onto you yet? Obviously the reporter this was done to tried everything. Obviously it did not work. He is in fact dead. Police did in fact refuse to investigate.

> Obviously the reporter this was done tried everything. Nope, that’s a huge mistake on your part people panic in an emergency. So you’re making crap up if you think someone must have tried everything let alone tried the right things. I am not saying he took the key out of the ignition, but if he did he wouldn’t be able to steer. That’s exactly the kind of mistake you can make in a high stress situation and die. PS:…

Still making shit up.

Re: Espionage or Journalism? After the Snowden NSA Leaks (2020)

#99
post #98
post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Obviously the reporter this was done tried everything. Nope, that’s a huge mistake on your part people panic in an emergency. So you’re making crap up if you think someone must have tried everything let alone tried the right things. I am not saying he took the key out of the ignition, but if he did he wouldn’t be able to steer. That’s exactly the kind of mistake you can make in a high stress situation and die. PS:…

Still making shit up.

lol

Put up or shut up.

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