Former CIA chief: Snowden should be “hanged by the neck until dead”

[TheButterZone]

So everyone who has ever spoken to the press about crimes they have witnessed should be put to death. That's some North Korea logic right there.

One man's terrorist is another's hero. But in a recent poll  by a reputed media firm, the majority of American citizens supported Snowden against the government, with 55% calling him a whistle-blower and 34% calling him a traitor. After all US is a democracy, right?

It matters not. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/majority.html

He defended human rights and the Constitution that codified them, by exposing totalitarians who were violating them with impunity despite their sworn oaths to the contrary, and those totalitarians initially claimed innocent lives were saved by their violation of human rights, then just admitted that number was 0. Conversely, the totalitarians claim innocent lives were lost because they could no longer violate human rights with impunity, and that number will probably end up being 0 as well.

[Wilikon]

So everyone who has ever spoken to the press about crimes they have witnessed should be put to death. That's some North Korea logic right there.

One man's terrorist is another's hero. But in a recent poll  by a reputed media firm, the majority of American citizens supported Snowden against the government, with 55% calling him a whistle-blower and 34% calling him a traitor. After all US is a democracy, right?

Technically the US is a Constitutional Republic.
People are waking up to the abuse generations of governments pilled on on the US Constitution.

[Spendulus]

Anyone would risk to guess a number of how many civil servants have a need to know/top secret level just like manning or snowden? I am guessing in the 100K or close to it.

No. I think it is a very small number. Manning didn't had default access to the information. If my guess is right, he hacked in to the system to get all those info. Still that doesn't make him a criminal.

No, it probably is up around 100k.  Not that that's the way it should be.

Then the issue is, of those 100k, why might they have access to "everything" instead of the tiny limited subset that was actionable for them?

Answer:  Because  of a breakdown of the basic intelligence policy.

That explains the access of both Manning and Snowden.

LOL...I hear the Russians have gone back to paper for high level classified docs...

[marcus_of_augustus]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/edward-snowden-after-months-of-nsa-revelations-says-his-missions-accomplished/2013/12/23/49fc36de-6c1c-11e3-a523-fe73f0ff6b8d_story.html

In his interview with The Post, Snowden noted matter-of-factly that Standard Form 312, the ­classified-information nondisclosure agreement, is a civil contract. He signed it, but he pledged his fealty elsewhere.

“The oath of allegiance is not an oath of secrecy,” he said. “That is an oath to the Constitution. That is the oath that I kept that Keith Alexander and James Clapper did not.”

Let's have an adult conversation, in a court of law, about who are the real criminals here shall we?

The criminals always try to keep it out of court ....

[Spendulus]

So everyone who has ever spoken to the press about crimes they have witnessed should be put to death. That's some North Korea logic right there.

One man's terrorist is another's hero. But in a recent poll  by a reputed media firm, the majority of American citizens supported Snowden against the government, with 55% calling him a whistle-blower and 34% calling him a traitor. After all US is a democracy, right?

It matters not. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/majority.html

He defended human rights and the Constitution that codified them, by exposing totalitarians who were violating them with impunity despite their sworn oaths to the contrary, and those totalitarians initially claimed innocent lives were saved by their violation of human rights, then just admitted that number was 0. Conversely, the totalitarians claim innocent lives were lost because they could no longer violate human rights with impunity, and that number will probably end up being 0 as well.

What's your problem?

They claimed a number of innocent lives were saved.

0 is a number.

[TheButterZone]

Actually they were more specific than just "a number", but I can't be arsed to look up the initial claim.

[Spendulus]

So everyone who has ever spoken to the press about crimes they have witnessed should be put to death. That's some North Korea logic right there.

One man's terrorist is another's hero. But in a recent poll  by a reputed media firm, the majority of American citizens supported Snowden against the government, with 55% calling him a whistle-blower and 34% calling him a traitor. After all US is a democracy, right?

It matters not. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/majority.html

He defended human rights and the Constitution that codified them, by exposing totalitarians who were violating them with impunity despite their sworn oaths to the contrary, and those totalitarians initially claimed innocent lives were saved by their violation of human rights, then just admitted that number was 0. Conversely, the totalitarians claim innocent lives were lost because they could no longer violate human rights with impunity, and that number will probably end up being 0 as well.

"We must destroy this Constitution in order to Save it!"

[bryant.coleman]

LOL...I hear the Russians have gone back to paper for high level classified docs...

I don't have any problems with the Russians as long as they don't spy on people who live outside their country. What they do to their citizens, is their problem.

[nastybit]

Snowden has just started, there will be some for every country in this world.
I hope he and the media will be able to handle it

I don't have any problems with the Russians as long as they don't spy on people who live outside their country. What they do to their citizens, is their problem.

Are you for real?

[hilariousandco]

Apparently Snowden is going to do the alternative Xmas message here on TV haha. Look forward to it.

[bryant.coleman]

Are you for real?

I don't care much about Russians. What I don't want Russia to do, is to spy on people who reside outside their country (similar to what the US did).

[xkeyscore89]

I see Snowden as neither criminal nor patriot.  His security clearance wasn't high enough to do truly do any damage.  He didn't even work for the NSA, he was only a contractor.  I feel sorry for him, living in Moscow for the rest of my life making less than I did when I worked for Booz Allen Hamilton isn't my idea of sticking it to the NSA.

No data he's released has surprised me in the least.  Other countries conduct similar spying activities, they're only jealous they don't have our capabilities.  It's all a big joke to the NSA, they are untouchable, no matter what Congress might think they can do about it.

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

[bryant.coleman]

I feel sorry for him, living in Moscow for the rest of my life making less than I did when I worked for Booz Allen Hamilton isn't my idea of sticking it to the NSA.

For some people, their ideology is worth more than anything. He might be earning less and surrounded by people speaking a language which he cannot comprehend. But the fact is that millions of people around the world see him as a hero, who single-handedly fought the tyranny of the NSA. We need people like him to make this planet a better living space.

[xkeyscore89]

I feel sorry for him, living in Moscow for the rest of my life making less than I did when I worked for Booz Allen Hamilton isn't my idea of sticking it to the NSA.

For some people, their ideology is worth more than anything. He might be earning less and surrounded by people speaking a language which he cannot comprehend. But the fact is that millions of people around the world see him as a hero, who single-handedly fought the tyranny of the NSA. We need people like him to make this planet a better living space.

His victory is symbolic, but it will take high-ranking entities of dissent within the NSA itself to produce a whistleblower capable of inducing true change within the agency.  With some NSA members sporting security clearances above the President's, it will take someone truly prepared to die or take a life sentence to expose them.  Snowden is prepared to accept neither fate and because of the negligible quality of his information, he won't have to worry about it.  The information Snowden has yet to release is already known by the NSA and trust me, they're not sweating it.  Congress, CIA, and Snowden ain't got shit on the "King Kong" that is the NSA.  Add to the fact that they may be the only agency outside the Pentagon who is able to keep tabs on DARPA's progress.  

The only intelligence agency in the same league is Israel's Mossad.  If you think our intelligence agencies do dirty work, Mossad is ruthless by comparison and without the fear they instill to militant enemies when they make their presence known, Israel could not survive.

[hilariousandco]

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

It's a shame people are such submissive sheep. Most people don't realise the power they have and/or even seem to be all that bothered when their governments abuse theirs and fritter their taxes away on wars and to corporations. People can easily put a stop to it, but they never do. Baffles me.

[xkeyscore89]

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

It's a shame people are such submissive sheep. Most people don't realise the power they have and/or even seem to be all that bothered when their governments abuse theirs and fritter their taxes away on wars and to corporations. People can easily put a stop to it, but they never do. Baffles me.

My thoughts, exactly. However, I know why people won't collectively use their power and make changes happen.  It's complacency.  It will take an earth-shattering event to begin this process.  Perhaps, something on the order of 9/11 times 1,000.

[bryant.coleman]

The only intelligence agency in the same league is Israel's Mossad.  If you think our intelligence agencies do dirty work, Mossad is ruthless by comparison and without the fear they instill to militant enemies when they make their presence known, Israel could not survive.

The Mossad is having an enormous advantage. The local population will support them, no matter whatever they do in the name of intelligence gathering. Neither the CIA, nor the FSB can claim such a loyal population.

[hilariousandco]

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

It's a shame people are such submissive sheep. Most people don't realise the power they have and/or even seem to be all that bothered when their governments abuse theirs and fritter their taxes away on wars and to corporations. People can easily put a stop to it, but they never do. Baffles me.

My thoughts, exactly. However, I know why people won't collectively use their power and make changes happen.  It's complacency.  It will take an earth-shattering event to begin this process.  Perhaps, something on the order of 9/11 times 1,000.

Haha, reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcZ6eJoxeE

I honestly don't know what it'll take. Maybe complete financial collapse / some dystopian scenario. I'm surprised there wasn't mass riots at the NSA surveillance revelations. Nobody seems to be that bothered about it. People seem to be angry, just not really willing to do anything apart from post a few angry status updates etc.

[xkeyscore89]

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

It's a shame people are such submissive sheep. Most people don't realise the power they have and/or even seem to be all that bothered when their governments abuse theirs and fritter their taxes away on wars and to corporations. People can easily put a stop to it, but they never do. Baffles me.

My thoughts, exactly. However, I know why people won't collectively use their power and make changes happen.  It's complacency.  It will take an earth-shattering event to begin this process. Perhaps, something on the order of 9/11 times 1,000.

Haha, reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcZ6eJoxeE

I honestly don't know what it'll take. Maybe complete financial collapse / some dystopian scenario. I'm surprised there wasn't mass riots at the NSA surveillance revelations. Nobody seems to be that bothered about it. People seem to be angry, just not really willing to do anything apart from post a few angry status updates etc.

LOL, wow. I hadn't even seen that movie but now it looks like I'm basing my statements on Team America. Fuck, NO! lol

[hilariousandco]

It will take a revolution at the grass-roots level to make any substantial changes and even then, I doubt any is possible.

This isn't a V for Vendetta situation...yet.

It's a shame people are such submissive sheep. Most people don't realise the power they have and/or even seem to be all that bothered when their governments abuse theirs and fritter their taxes away on wars and to corporations. People can easily put a stop to it, but they never do. Baffles me.

My thoughts, exactly. However, I know why people won't collectively use their power and make changes happen.  It's complacency.  It will take an earth-shattering event to begin this process. Perhaps, something on the order of 9/11 times 1,000.

Haha, reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcZ6eJoxeE

I honestly don't know what it'll take. Maybe complete financial collapse / some dystopian scenario. I'm surprised there wasn't mass riots at the NSA surveillance revelations. Nobody seems to be that bothered about it. People seem to be angry, just not really willing to do anything apart from post a few angry status updates etc.

LOL, wow. I hadn't even seen that movie but now it looks like I'm basing my statements on Team America. Fuck, NO! lol

Fuck yeah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M

I need to watch it again. Haven't seen it in years.