Media Blacks Out New Snowden Interview The Government Doesn’t Want You to See

[TransitJohn]

This past Sunday evening former NSA contractor Edward Snowden sat down for an interview with German television network ARD. The interview has been intentionally blocked from the US public, with virtually no major broadcast news outlets covering this story. In addition, the video has been taken down almost immediately every time it’s posted on YouTube.

In contrast, this was treated as a major political event in both print and broadcast media, in Germany, and across much of the world. In the interview, Mr. Snowden lays out a succinct case as to how these domestic surveillance programs undermines and erodes human rights and democratic freedom.

He states that his “breaking point” was “seeing Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, directly lie under oath to Congress” denying the existence of a domestic spying programs while under questioning in March of last year. Mr. Snowden goes on to state that, “The public had a right to know about these programs. The public had a right to know that which the government is doing in its name, and that which the government is doing against the public.”

It seems clear that the virtual blackout of this insightful interview is yet another deliberate attempt to obfuscate the truth from the view of the American public. The media has continually attempted to shill the official government lies about mass domestic surveillance programs, justifying them as necessary to fight the “War on Terror”, while attempting to painting Mr. Snowden as a traitor.

In regards to accusations that he is a traitor or a foreign agent, he states, “ If I am traitor, who did I betray? I gave all my information to the American public, to American journalists who are reporting on American issues. If they see that as treason, I think people really need to consider who they think they’re working for. The public is supposed to be their boss, not their enemy. Beyond that as far as my personal safety, Ill never be fully safe until these systems have changed.”

Read more: http://benswann.com/media-blacks-out-new-snowden-interview-the-government-doesnt-want-you-to-see/#ixzz2sBkCY3Oj
Follow us: @BenSwann_ on Twitter

[BelgianMadCow]

1. I saw the scrubbing happen in real time

and wondered whether I was seeing things. If so, I'm not alone.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. Please elaborate... nt

[marions ghost]

45. Here's what happened a few minutes ago...

I clinked on the link above--ARD network in Germany

Heard a lot of Snowdens long interview but not all--the video stopped abruptly

When I went back to the link again to replay it--

Over Snowden's voice was a voice-over of --I kid you not--anti-Snowden propaganda...could not really make out any of his interview from the beginning.

So obviously it's been hacked. Welcome to Murka

OK--so then--I went back to the link and started it again--and this time it played all the way through...

so what happened there?

[kardonb]

54. media

the media absolutely right about ignoring this raving , traitorous liar . Of course the German media make a fuss over him , they never miss a chance to diss the USA .

[marions ghost]

58. Ignorance is bliss

[Coyotl]

100. For the misdirected, here is the complete video:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024432020

[marions ghost]

106. thanks

that one works

[MrMickeysMom]

111. Thank you!

[Curmudgeoness]

70. I think

that you forgot the smilie.

[cui bono]

96. So you aren't in favor of free speech and you love censorship.

Not to mention the obvious support of unconstitutional spying on American citizens.

Gotcha.

[another_liberal]

98. No one is "dissing" the USA.

Snowden and his supporters are trying confront the lying criminals who run the NSA's spy empire. The "traitors" are men like Clapper, who think nothing of denying American citizens their Constitutional Rights. Those men took an oath to defend our Constitution, instead they treat it like toilet paper.

BTW: If you don't mind my asking, do you have any connection to the NSA or its legion of paid "Private Contractors?"

[L0oniX]

137. He's a HERO I tell ya ...a HERO!

He does tend to piss off the assholes though.

My country right or wrong is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, My mother drunk or sober. G. K. Chesterton

Patriotism which has the quality of intoxication is a danger not only to its native land but to the world, and My country never wrong is an even more dangerous maxim than My country, right or wrong. Bertrand Russell

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it. George Bernard Shaw

[sabrina 1]

144. Lol, you mean that lieberal media we hear about all the time but never see?

So you're in favor of depriving the American people, through censorship, of news that the rest of the world is receiving? Odd thing to support.

I'm totally against the evil of censorship anywhere.

And could you list the 'lies' told by the Whistle Blower you are referring to?

[frylock]

147. the only raving i ever see around here comes from gatekeepers..

with their spittle-flecked accusations of treason.

[lark]

152. "raving, traitorous iar"???

Name one lie he told about what our country has been doing? Have the lies over at Faux Snooze been riling you up?

[truedelphi]

55. Well, I guess I can't say there has not been some

real and pertinent "Change." But boy oh boy, that "Change" has not been in the right direction.

[marions ghost]

57. Are you talking about change in NSA oversight?

Right--a lot of talk but not much significant action.

[truedelphi]

64. I get so frustrated.

We have puppets in Congress cutting back on unemployment and friggin' food stamps.
And these cuts come after decades of shuffling our jobs overseas, so food stamp allotments are about all many here in the US can hope for.

And we have a President who thinks minor tweaks to the NSA and other information gathering is "doing it right."

But most don't agree: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140120/16212025933/how-can-we-tell-obamas-nsa-reforms-are-weak-michael-hayden-doesnt-have-much-problem-with-them.shtml

And then the thing that really really irks me is how much of the National Budget is going to end up being diverted into Surveillance. Some experts say that over the next several years, half of our 1.2 trillion dollar military budget will end up being offered to Surveillance!

But kids can't eat Surveillance Programs for lunch. Nor will the diverted monies repair our bridges and highways, help out our science research, put more teachers in the classroom, add social workers to the flooded service agencies, prop up agencies hat need to have some muscle to deal with the Big Polluters like "Freedom Energy" etc.

Goddess, I get frustrated!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

77. Very true. It's the profiteers getting rich off the national teat.

[marions ghost]

109. Agree, surveillance is huge waste of resources and a continuing erosion of our basic civil rights...

From the techdirt article:

"Now, we're finally receiving some sort of concessions from a president who has been forced into a "conversation" he thought he'd never have. What Obama's doing now is attempting to regain public support while not seriously damaging relationships within the intelligence community. It's a political move more aimed at preserving his presidency (and legacy) than it is actual reform.
-------
That the primary focus is the Section 215 programs is no surprise. The NSA obviously loves having it even if it fails to produce results. But it has also steered the conversation towards this program again and again, which leads to the speculation that it would be content with sacrificing it (not completely, of course, but operate it under further restrictions) in order to keep better, more useful (and potentially more privacy-violating) programs intact."

[truedelphi]

157. I keep finding it so odd and funny that the section

Of the legalisms in NSA which is most problematic for Civil Rights enthusiasts happens to be the "215 provisions."

It was Prop 215 that put California on the map as far as being the first state to legalize marijuana, although only in terms of medicinal use.

And we are totally annoyed at this Administration for allowing Eric Holder to reduce the dispensaries back to about 20% of where they were.

Obama needs to get his "215" house in order, in both places where his policies offend.

[Titonwan]

67. http://jonathanturley.org/2014/02/01/edward-snowden-speaks-us-blackout-of-interview/

http://jonathanturley.org/2014/02/01/edward-snowden-speaks-us-blackout-of-interview/

[tsuki]

112. Thanks for the link. Interesting interview. nt

[blackspade]

118. Thanks for the Turley link.

[KurtNYC]

139. The NYTimes has up clips and coverage -- the US media may ignore it but there is no black out

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/29/video-from-snowdens-german-tv-interview/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. !!!

[treestar]

3. We can still find out what he said

Isn't he quoted right there? And he still doesn't get the idea of government. He thinks it is to serve him and that he's "boss." The "public" can hardly "boss" the elected government, as we are aware it is a collective effort to get people into office and that are personal opinions will not be followed 100%. He will soon learn that in Russia that isn't even the case.

[msanthrope]

13. He's on the ARD website...nt

[Coyotl]

101. And there is this thread on DU

linking the complete interview: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024432020

[JDPriestly]

113. Have you ever read the Constitution?

The Preamble states:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.


http://constitutionus.com/

Our entire government was formed to answer to us, the American people. The Bill of Rights guarantees among other things our freedom of speech, of religion, of the press, of assembly, the right to petition our government, privacy in our persons, houses, papers and effects. I feel that if, while sitting in my home, I express myself on the internet, if I use the internet as the Founding Fathers used paper and pen, I should have the right to privacy. As long as I am not breaking a law, the government should get a warrant based on probable cause before it gathers, saves or reads any of my internet communications.

The rights that are guaranteed to us in the Constitution are what make our country great. The NSA is, in my opinion, violating those rights. They should stop. They are doing exactly what the Communists and NAZIS did to the people in their country. The East German Stasi would have loved to have the technological know-how and the sheer audacity of the NSA. We are not free as long as the NSA is snooping on us. I say that a as a 70-year-old woman who lived in Germany and Austria long after WWII and who was often reminded by people in those countries of just how precious our freedom and privacy is.

I often hear that all countries are doing this surveillance. That is a very sad state of affairs. I suspect that the number of countries indulging in this wasteful and authoritarian behavior will be decreased in the coming years. Usually with over-reaching of this sort, the authorities make a big mistake sooner or later. There is a huge scandal, and then those who carry things to an excess are exposed, embarrassed and decide to stop what they are doing or are stopped. It's just a matter of time here.

Snowden said that a lot of private companies are involved with this surveillance. That means lots and lots of people involved or benefiting from it. If the saga of this surveillance sandal unfolds like many horrible mistakes before it (think of Bush's torture and rendition), there will be some horrible overreaching, a reaction and the end of this excessive surveillance. That's what I predict. It's the natural course of history. Over and over. Even the Inquisition came to an end -- finally. Maybe we will get a president who feels confident enough to put an end to the excesses.

[Maedhros]

120. Well and truly stated. [n/t]

[BrotherIvan]

124. Thank you

[ReRe]

125. Thank you.

Thank you, J.D. Does DU have a forum for the study of the Constitution? It seems we have members who don't understand it. It's like they've never read it and really don't care about it. Anyone who can't understand the error of what the NSA is doing, I think they have bought into the MSM or MIC line that Snowden is a traitor. They choose to believe what they are told and not what they read or learn from the Constitution.

[treestar]

132. The People not just you

Yes, I've read it and understand it for real, not in sound bytes. It is not up to Eddie or you, but The People, a collective you seem to have missed. It includes all other voters, even those you don't agree with. It provides for a system which generated a Whistleblower Protection Act and a FISC. Yet you and Eddie chose to ignore all that. You're the ones who don't get the Constitution.

[JDPriestly]

156. What whistleblower system did Snowden have?

In Nov. 2012, Obama signed the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, which extended the original law to also cover some "national security, government contractor, and science-based agencies" that had been previously excluded. It also lowered the bar of proof for misconduct and closed loopholes.
5

There are some exemptions to the whistleblower laws--some private sector employees and union officials aren't protected. The Obama administration has used the Espionage Act to pursue nine leaks-related cases in which classified information was leaked to the media.

http://cir.ca/news/whistleblowers-in-the-us/99506

Snowden was a private sector employee. He may not have been covered by laws that provide whistleblower protection.

Do you have a link to any report that says he was covered.

In any event, the government's record on protecting whistleblowers on national security issues is very poor, especially under Obama although I think that the panic that has resulted in the repression of the kinds of information that Snowden has released began to be serious during the Bush administration. Obama has just not had the confidence to let up.

Snowden served the American people, all the voters, by letting us in on the big secret: that our government in disregard for the Constitution has placed us all, at least all of us who use the internet, under constant surveillance.

I'm very grateful that he told us that. Now that I am aware of the surveillance, I am letting third parties like polling companies know that I will not participate in their on-line surveys because my answers to their questions go straight into my NSA file assuming I have one which I probably do not. Still, any answers that I give to an on-line poll, any e-mail I answer, anything I do on the internet or on the phone is, I now know, a part or potential part of the file that may or may not exist about me at the NSA.

That file can be brought up. I can be questioned about it. Who knows what in my life might one day become a reason to scapegoat me. My religion? My opinion about education? My political views? Any group, any idea, any religion, any point of view can become the reason that a person is targeted for discrimination and worse. Fortunately, I am retired and do not have to worry about whether some men in dark suits with serious expressions will call or visit my employer due to the fact that I am posting my opinions about the NSA surveillance on the internet. That is why I so actively post about this. Younger people in America today no longer have the freedom to express themselves freely on the internet. That is what the NSA spying on Americans means. The same is true for people in other countries. As so many DUers have pointed out, the practice of spying on everyone is not limited to the US government.

So this is a topic that we all need to think about, discuss and write our members of Congress about. And I am grateful to Snowden for having brought the surveillance to our attention.

Snowden said in an interview to a German news source that he was moved to blow the whistle when he saw Clapper lie in front of Congress. The NSA has not been honest or open with the American people or Congress. And I really don't believe that Snowden had any other means of beginning the American conversation about the surveillance. Our government has not been honest with us about what is going on. That is a betrayal and the government needs to change. They have made a mockery of democracy.

[Wilms]

4. Quiet down.

The game is about to start.

Sheesh!

[Aerows]

82. Shut up and watch the Super Bowl

Seattle kicking ass is worth watching.

[Octafish]

5. Media Assets jump when their strings get pulled.

Rather than shed light on the government's hidden workings, Corporate McPravda does whatever the government orders to keep the American people in the dark. Isn't that the opposite of what the Constitution says it's supposed to be? I seem to remember something about "We the People" are supposed to be in charge.

[madrchsod]

6. here`s (part? ) of the video....

[itsrobert]

14. How can this be? I thought it was scrubbed from Youtube?

But here it is.

[thesquanderer]

21. The Youtube videos are commentary, with some brief clips, not the actual interview

The first part explains that full postings have been taken down by youtube under claims of copyright violation.

However, there are other non-youtube links here which have the content.

[libodem]

15. Thank you

[Coyotl]

102. Here is the entire VIDEO:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024432020

[msanthrope]

8. Dude..I read about the interview on CBS last week...

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/snowden-nsa-conducts-industrial-espionage-too/

[George II]

19. How did you sneak past the "blackout"???

[msanthrope]

33. Don't tell anybody...but I used a secret Internet tube. nt

[JI7]

107. so did i

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. And here's part one. n/t

[JDPriestly]

116. Sometimes what is lawful is not what is right.

I am reminded of the years I lived in the South, in the segregated South. Segregation was lawful. But was it right? I think not. I never thought it was right.

I don't think that the NSA's broad surveillance program is right. I don't believe it is lawful either, not lawful according to the Constitution which has been interpreted as guaranteeing our right to privacy.

But even if the surveillance should be deemed lawful by the Supreme Court, it is wrong. And that it is wrong will eventually be established. Question is, will we realize just how wrong it is before it is too late and many suffer as a result of it? Because if the NSA continues to collect and store our data, all of our data, sooner or later someone will use it to persecute someone else based on something -- religion? political ideas? race? language? ethnicity? Something. That is the nature of things that bestow tremendous power on those who possess them. Sooner or later those things that give power to the one who possesses it will be abused.

Even religious power can be abused. Remember the Inquisition?

This surveillance will destroy our democracy if we do not end it. I would like to see the role of surveillance become a campaign issue in 2016. But it may take longer than that. Sooner or later it will be either stopped or become a huge issue.

[Egalitarian Thug]

119. "The law, in its majestic equality,

forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." - Anatole France

The law is almost always an unjust tool used by the powerful to subjugate the weak.

[randome]

10. Der Spiegel is an American corporation?

Oh, Snowy One, you clearly have not finished your dance. How much longer does this Palin-esque drama need to run?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Sometimes it seems like the only purpose in life is to keep your car from touching another's.[/center][/font][hr]

[20score]

24. Just so you know, comments like that make you look bad, not Snowden.

[jaysunb]

42. +1 LOL ! n/t

[zeemike]

46. How much longer does this drama need to run?

Until justice is done.
But that is a quaint notion for some.

[xocet]

130. "Palin-esque?" LOL n/t

[Luminous Animal]

11. Here you go....

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1aefb0_snowden-interview-in-english_news

[madfloridian]

20. Thanks, watching it now.

[DeSwiss]

27. TY!

[DeSwiss]

12. ''No one is safe until these systems have changed.''

- What a bunch of impotent pifflers. Running around afraid, taking down videos from YouTube. Some Master of the Universe, eh?

K&R

[GoneFishin]

60. Yep. A bunch of pants peeing authoritarians throwing around the term democracy while

behaving very undemocratically.

They are afraid a public swell will build if they don't counter with enough propaganda, and black out opposing points of view.

Transparent my ass.

[Titonwan]

136. Exactly!

Censorship is counter to a free democracy.

[ohheckyeah]

16. The video is available at

the link in the OP. Didn't anybody even click on it?

[George II]

17. "Intentionally" blacked out? I'm 65 years old and have NEVER seen a German interview...

...on American television!

Paranoia rules!!!!

[dipsydoodle]

18. This one ?

[truth2power]

22. Thanks for posting. It's too bad that

we have to go to the internet to see information that our government (did I just wake up in East Germany?) prohibits us from seeing.

There's something at the very end that I think is important to note..at about 28:00...

The interviewer remarks that Obama has said that Snowden shoud return to the US and plead his case before a jury.

Snowden's reply is that the crimes that Obama has charged him with are ones that don't allow him to make his case in open court (imagine that!) Further, Snowden finds it instructive that the President calls for him to "face the music" when "the music is a show trial". Mr. Constitutional Scholar, of course, knows this very well.

This is the kind of thing that makes me want to throw up all over myself when I look at Obama. Practically every word out of his mouth has a 'hook' somewhere, and I don't like being played. It's craven hypocrisy, and it's despicable! UGH!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

26. If the government were "prohibiting" you from seeing it,

you would not find it on the internet....

We usually don't get interviews from German TV over here. But keep that outrage paranoia machine running!

[truth2power]

30. I will. Thank you..

[VanillaRhapsody]

32. agreed....

did you happen to notice the flat out lie Snowden told here "he claims that his "breaking point" was when Clapper testified....however...he had already done his "dirty deed" before that happened. So blatantly stupid...or he thinks WE are!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

37. I believe it's the latter...

What really surprises me is that most of what he's "released" has been revelations from the past. Hell, his biggest bombshell was the fact that there were now FISA warrants (which is what we bitched were missing under Bush's rule). Most else has to deal with capabilities (read: not actual practices), foreign intelligence (read: something that we shouldn't be sharing with other nations), and statements that are blatantly false or misleading (like the way certain technologies work, ie "downloading the internet" daily).

Judging from the support of right wing memes and support for libertarian ideas on this site as of late, however, I'm not surprised at those who do "fall for it". I've seen the phrase "broken clock is right twice a day" thrown around a bit too much lately.

[blackspade]

43. Yeah, like the RW meme that there is nothing to see and we should all move along.

The fact is that the opposition to the NSA spying is being driven by PROGRESSIVES not lieberterians or the rethugs.
What amazes me is the number of folks here on a progressive website that have fallen for the authoritarian bullshit meme that this is a rw/libertarian plot to undermine Obama.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

49. Actually I was referring to the RW meme

that the Prez used a soldier as a prop at the SOTU that propagated here...

[GoneFishin]

61. Not falling for that meme, pushing that meme like their jobs depend on it. nt

[bvar22]

74. Just because they are here...

...doesn't mean that they are Progressive or Liberal.... or even moderate.

The Snowden Revelations have made it easy to separate the wheat form the chaff on DU.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

88. + about a million.

[ReRe]

129. + about 2 million! n/t

[AnneD]

155. I so totally agree...

For some the Declaration of Independence is written on paper but for others it is written on their hearts.
Some wrap themselves in the flag but some bleed for it.

Snowden's case has been a real eye opener.

[VanillaRhapsody]

63. I saw that tactic used today....along with the "accuse you of being angry or hysterical"

to show you are somehow unhinged...when they no longer have a point.

[Egnever]

38. WE are that stupid

One need only look at the responses to this thread. The idea this interview was scrubbed by the government gets sucked up like it was mana from heaven. On a board of supposedly informed intelligent people.

[weathermanx2005]

41. Exactly! Agree +1000

Very disappointed in some of the posts on here. Can anyone get their heads around the idea/fact that this interview is being "blacklisted" and ignored by American media?
Can anyone on this site get that this is a BAD thing??? Anyone??
Whatever you might think about Snowden and his "method" of releasing info..the fact remains..our government is up to some bad stuff, people.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

51. I didn't realize that we normally broadcast interviews from German TV...

Oh wait, we don't. There is no media blackout. I've heard mention and seen excerpts of this interview on CNN, HLN, and MSNBC right after it aired in Germany, and it's widely available on the web. It has NOT been blacked out.

[Cha]

62. Snowden's a fucking liar. An attentionwhore like Greenwald. Oh butbutbut..

it's BLACKED OUT..

[treestar]

73. It's blacked out, yet somehow we are still discussing it

right here on DU! And DU has not been frozen by the evul gubmint! What's wrong with the NSA?

[truth2power]

134. While you're at it, you might want to comment on why Obama

wants ES to come back and plead his case before a jury, when the charges don't permit him to do just that?

Was Obama just confused about this point of law, or what? I wish someone would ask him that.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

79. But, the Bush admin war criminals weren't prosecuted because it was wrong to

look back. Why isn't Snowden given that same out?

[bvar22]

23. DURec for the Whistle Blowers!

*Rampant Government Secrecy and Democracy can not co-exist.

*Persecution of Whistle Blowers and Democracy can not co-exist.

*Government surveillance of the citizenry and Democracy can not co-exist.

*Secret Laws and Democracy can not co-exist.

*Secret Courts and Democracy can not-co-exist.

*Our Democracy depends on an informed electorate and a transparent government.

You either believe in Democracy,
or you don't.
It IS that simple.

[zeemike]

48. Money and the cult of personality trumps all of that.

For some people.

[rhett o rick]

56. It's their authoritarian upbringing. Loyalty is more important than principles.

It's funny how they are ok with the Corporate-media censorship as long as it supports their world view. So much for Democracy and our Constitution.

[bvar22]

68. The Snowden Revelations has made it really easy...

...to separate the Wheat from the Chaff on DU.

As time goes by, and I learn more about how Snowden thinks,
and what his motivations are, I am growing to really like him.

[font size=3]" If I am traitor, who did I betray? I gave all my information to the American public, to American journalists who are reporting on American issues. If they see that as treason, I think people really need to consider who they think they’re working for. The public is supposed to be their boss, not their enemy."[/font]
---Edward Snowden

You either believe in Democracy,
or you don't.
It IS that simple.

[rhett o rick]

97. I agree. I dont see any reform in the cards for our intelligence agencies.

They have too much power. Even if we got a progressive Democratic president they probably couldnt appoint anyone that would be capable of getting inside these organizations.

[truth2power]

25. Wow!! They're out in force today, aren't they?...

[VanillaRhapsody]

28. His "breaking point"?

he left before that....stupid....like no one notices timelines...

[Titonwan]

71. The story first broke in June by Glenn Greenwald in the Guardian...

"He states that his “breaking point” was “seeing Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, directly lie under oath to Congress” denying the existence of a domestic spying programs while under questioning in March of last year." -- (from OP)
Some people notice time lines. Obviously you don't.

[VanillaRhapsody]

72. care to leave a link to that?

He spoke to Glenn Greenwald BEFORE he took that job....and he planned to do what he did...BEFORE he took that job...I believe he spoke to Greenwald for the first time in January...I might have been wrong about the date he left the country...BUT he must have reached that "breaking point" much earlier as he planned the whole thing speaking to Greenwald prior to making the "acquisition"

and as a matter of fact had been planning it for years...

[Caretha]

75. Years?

explain "Years".

[VanillaRhapsody]

76. Oh yeah...

Well first...lets point out this bit of information..

Snowden first made contact with Glenn Greenwald, a journalist working at The Guardian, in late 2012.[95] He contacted Greenwald anonymously and said he had "sensitive documents" that he would like to share.[96] Greenwald found the measures that the source asked him to take to secure their communications, such as encrypting email, too annoying to employ. Snowden then contacted documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras in January 2013

THAT was before Clapper's testimony...so right there....Snowden is lying about his "breaking point".

And then read through all of this to find out some really interesting tidbits about your "Snowden" and his belief systems...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/01/edward-snowden-intelligence-leak-nsa-contractor-extract

[Caretha]

78. Got it

1-2 years.

My Snowden?

Your ass is showing. Don't insult me again.

[VanillaRhapsody]

80. Yes...why are you insulted that I called him yours?

He is certainly not mine....I am not defending his actions...

[Caretha]

83. I get it

you hate the dude. I'm reading, gathering facts, but your vitriol and insults are repugnant to me and uncalled for. I will not be bullied, snapped at or insulted just because I asked a question.

You need to apologize and recognize that conversations can't happen when you act up.

[VanillaRhapsody]

84. I don't love him...nope...

I have nothing to apologize for...Thanks though....

[VanillaRhapsody]

86. Please enlighten me by answering your question....

you took it as "bullied, snapped at or insulted". Why....because you got a response? Please show me where I personally "bullied you" Snapped at you...or "insulted you"...especially before you became "snippy".

[Caretha]

89. You know what you did

You "assumed" that I was a supporter of Snowden by using the phrase "your" Snowden. It's there for all to see. You typed it, you own it. Since you haven't the good sense to apologize when confronted with your bad behavior, go be a child somewhere else. I've no time for infantile adults who should know better and act like they need meds.

[VanillaRhapsody]

90. No actually I don't ...and I also don't like people telling me what THEY think

I am doing.

But come on...show it! Please show me exactly.....

Remember "bullied, insulted, or snapped at" I think is what you accused me of...

[Caretha]

91. Shoo

[VanillaRhapsody]

81. besides the turn of phrase was ...your "Snowden"

I could speak about "...your "Superbowl"...would that insult you as well?

Or did I break some sort of Snowden protocol...am I supposed to curtsy when I write his name too?

[Caretha]

85. Thanks

but I don't have a "Superbowl".....I have no idea who is even playing.....try again. And if you need I can hand you a shovel, yours looks worn out.

[VanillaRhapsody]

87. Do I have to know what you HAVE exactly to prove it to you"

"your country" how about that? Does that pass muster...is it not because it isnt "just yours"?

sheesh....

[ReRe]

131. Wait a minute...

.... Snowden knew GG before he took the job? Which job? The NSA job? You are saying that Snowden and GG were in kahutes all along, long before Snowden quit his job and fled Hong Kong? What have you been reading and where did you read it? Where did you get that info?

[JDPriestly]

29. Here is a link to the Spiegel interview:

http://cryptome.org/2013/07/snowden-spiegel-13-0707-en.htm

Snowden: In front of US courts? I'm not sure if you're serious. An investigation found the specific people who authorized the warrantless wiretapping of millions and millions of communications, which per count would have resulted in the longest sentences in world history, and our highest official simply demanded the investigation be halted. Who "can" be brought up on charges is immaterial when the rule of law is not respected. Laws are meant for you, not for them.

. . . .

Snowden: As of right now, full-take collection ages off quickly ( a few days) due to its size unless an analyst has "tasked" 7 a target or communication, in which the tasked communications get stored "forever and ever," regardless of policy, because you can always get a waiver. The metadata 8 also ages off, though less quickly. The NSA wants to be at the point where at least all of the metadata is permanently stored. In most cases, content isn't as valuable as metadata because you can either re-fetch content based on the metadata or, if not, simply task all future communications of interest for permanent collection since the metadata tells you what out of their data stream you actually want.
. . . .

Snowden: Yes. Definitive proof of this is the hard part because the NSA considers the identities of telecom collaborators to be the jewels in their crown of omniscience. As a general rule, US-based multinationals should not be trusted until they prove otherwise. This is sad, because they have the capability to provide the best and most trusted services in the world if they actually desire to do so. To facilitate this, civil liberties organizations should use this disclosure to push them to update their contracts to include enforceable clauses indicating they aren't spying on you, and they need to implement technical changes. If they can get even one company to play ball, it will change the security of global communications forever. If they won't, consider starting that company.

. . . .

Snowden: Also yes, but I'm not aware of any list. This category will get a lot larger if the collaborators are punished by consumers in the market, which should be considered Priority One for anyone who believes in freedom of thought.

End of quotations.

Snowden suggests that those who are targeted for surveillance are most likely those who visit terrorist sites -- Al Qaeda sites. That is certainly legitimate surveillance in my personal view. But they also seek out information from the communications of people who might be in contact with someone who has terrorist links. That too makes sense. For all of that, of course, they should, in my opinion, be getting warrants for Americans. And they should not be using materials from foreign sources that are obtained through policies or processes that would violate our Constitution if the NSA did them. I realize that some of my opinions are based on constitutional issues that the Supreme Court has not yet considered or decided.

Snowden seems to agree with me that our rights, that is those guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, like the rights to freedom of religion, speech, press, association and petitioning our government and then the 4th Amendment right to privacy in our papers and things are so connected that we can see them interacting. That the Constitution guarantees a right to privacy is the principle that underlies many of our rights including a woman's right to choose.

It is hard to fight terrorism, but violating the Constitution and the fundamental right of the American people to privacy cannot be the method.

The problem is that, if hypothetically, we were able to catch all the terrorists, we would still be stuck with this huge, expensive spying apparatus. We would no more be able to destroy it than we could destroy our air defense. Too many livelihoods are dependent on the continuation of the NSA surveillance apparatus. Think of the jobs lost, the economic impact of doing away with it -- for example -- the impact in Nevada now that the huge NSA building is underway or nearly finished.

So when the terrorists are caught, all this spying will continue. And how will it be justified then? Will we be fighting over resources? Will we be using the surveillance to control the world's markets? What is the long-term purpose of this surveillance capacity likely to be? How will it affect us? Our children? Our grandchildren?

I hope everyone will read the short interview in Der Spiegel.

[20score]

31. Thanks.

[Octafish]

35. Vielen Dank, JDPriestly.

Interviewer: But if details about this system are now exposed, who will be charged?

Snowden: In front of US courts? I'm not sure if you're serious. An investigation found the specific people who authorized the warrantless wiretapping of millions and millions of communications, which per count would have resulted in the longest sentences in world history, and our highest official simply demanded the investigation be halted. Who "can" be brought up on charges is immaterial when the rule of law is not respected. Laws are meant for you, not for them.

SOURCE and worth reading, even if the BFEE knows it:
http://cryptome.org/2013/07/snowden-spiegel-13-0707-en.htm

[mikehiggins]

53. Reagan and the chimp? Beautiful

[grasswire]

104. thank you Edward Snowden

....for loving our Constitution more than your own liberty. A true patriot and hero.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

92. Really good post. Thanks.

[2naSalit]

95. Eventually

we all become the "T-word". Just like in the "Dirty Wars" movie, which is also hard to get to watch and has been taken down from numerous sites... "It's a hammer that is constantly looking for a nail".

Things aren't looking too good in the land of the free these days.

[ohheckyeah]

34. It's a really good interview. n/t

[frwrfpos]

36. rec and not suprising at all

The media in this country is right wing and bought and paid for.

Professional propaganda is what Americans get from our media.

[Cleita]

39. Betcha Amy Goodman will air it on Democracy Now! down the line.

If not, they should.

[20score]

59. Amy Goodman has been, as always, great on this issue.

Wonder if the J.Edgar Hoover Democrats will throw her under the bus too?

They will tolerate no facts that make their leader look even a little wrong, no matter how many people they hurt in the process of denying the obvious.

[DesMoinesDem]

108. She was already thrown under the bus here last summer.

She was called a ratfucker and a right wing shill by the BOG. And Democracy Now was called Anti-Democratic Party Now.

[20score]

110. Holy crap! Those are teabagger level assholes.

Hate to hear that.

[Egalitarian Thug]

115. Authoritarians are what they are. There is no cure, no salve to soothe the rage that boils inside.

They chafe under the yolk they accepted, but become very angry every time they see another of us that refused to be subject to the capricious whim of others.

Think about it, what could be more regrettable than to spend your life in servitude to masters that didn't appreciate your many sacrifices, didn't even pay you your due, and then to realize, after it's too late and your life is done, that it was all wasted? That you are going to die having accomplished nothing but to help realize some other person's dreams?

Personally, that is the worst thing I can imagine. But then again, I'm just a dumb old atheist that thinks that this is all there is that matters, here.

[20score]

117. Well said!

[L0oniX]

138. DU is not immune from idiots, centrists, 3rd way, corporatists ...but then I repeat myself.

[cantbeserious]

40. Thank You Mr. Snowden

eom

[blkmusclmachine]

44. Nothing to see here! Move along, sheeple!

[brooklynite]

47. UNREC

A solitary blogger most people have never heard of saying there's a conspiracy to block news about Edward Snowden doesn't make it true.

[marions ghost]

50. Read my post #45 above

you may not believe it, but somebody is DEFINITELY trying to block that ARD link...

[L0oniX]

140. Neither does your post make it NOT true.

[ZombieHorde]

52. I clicked on the link, and my Norton software gave me the following message:

Suspicious Web Page Blocked

You attempted to access:
http://benswann.com/media-blacks-out-new-snowden-interview-the-government-doesnt-want-you-to-see/#ixzz2sBkCY3Oj

For your protection, this web page has been blocked and submitted for review. Visit Symantec to learn more about phishing and internet security.

It is recommended that you do NOT visit this page, however if you know that this web page is safe, you may choose to visit this web page anyway.

Exit this site

There might be a virus of some sort on the page now. Just a heads up.

[Maedhros]

121. Or Symantec has a secret deal with the NSA to block "terrorist" sites

and they just added this link to their database to assist the NSA is reducing its American page hits.

[Warren DeMontague]

126. Norton is bloatware, IMHO.

Never had a computer that didn't run better without any of that crap installed. In my experience it's only gotten worse, instead of better.

Firefox with some good security plugins like noscript will do a fine job of preventing websites from running funny business without your knowledge. YMMV, of course.

[L0oniX]

142. I hear that Norton had an affair wth Alice.

[davidthegnome]

65. I'd like to ask the same question.

Did Snowden betray the American people? If so, then it is a very strange sort of betrayal - telling the truth about NSA spying, becoming a whistle blower. Who did he betray? The NSA? The government? Is his oath to the American people or to the agency which is supposed to serve and protect them? Where should we draw the line? I think someone had to tell the truth. I'm grateful that someone did.

It comes down to where one's true loyalties are. I believe that Snowden's are with the American people.

[Titonwan]

66. Here's the link

in case nobody's put up yet. (Haven't read the thread yet)

http://jonathanturley.org/2014/02/01/edward-snowden-speaks-us-blackout-of-interview/

[iemitsu]

69. Move along, move along, nothing to hear or think about in this interview.

Snowden has a considered and thoughtful way of presenting himself, which explains his positions and also gains our trust. He doesn't insult his audience with fancy words or tricks.
I am impressed with this young man and wish him the best.

[grasswire]

105. he talks like a patriot nt

[iemitsu]

114. Yes, he does.

A lot more so than many of our elected officials.

[Quantess]

93. It was a very good, interesting interview. I watched it here at DU

in the Video Forum. But now when I tried to watch it again, it says it's no longer available.

[TheMathieu]

99. People that are interested, which is very few, have every right to look it up online.

The fact the American media didn't force-feed Americans this latest 'look at me! look at me!' appearance is not scandalous.

[last1standing]

127. You shouldn't judge others by the level of willful ignorance your post suggests you prefer.

Many actually want to know what's happening around us. It takes a real "Amurkin" to claim that airing an interview is force-feeding merely because its on the TeeVee. But if you're truly that disgusted by the chance of hearing something you don't like, you can always change the channel.

[freebrew]

149. They(the media) don't seem to have that problem with Palin,

or Gingrich. Both useless tools that have no business on the air.

I resent the M$M producing all these RW talking heads with no followup from anyone with FACTS.

And I'm starting to really resent the RW present here on DU telling me that it is just AOK for the government to spy and record every f(*&^ing thing I do in case some day I might be a terrorist.

I'm also of the opinion that these 'terrorists' may be just the government blowing up my ass.

Just remember we've been at war since WW2, with few breaks between. WHY?

[Coyotl]

103. Don't be fooled by the foolish and foolishness. Here is the full VIDEO:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024432020

[ronnie624]

122. "The key is to remember,

that the surveillance and abuse doesn't occur when people look at the data, it occurs when people gather the data in the first place."

Absolutely. It is the gathering, all by its self, that is so offensive to the principles of democracy. The vast majority will never have to worry about being spied upon. How the system can be used against political activists and popular, effective, reformist minded political leaders, is what should scare people.

I think the primary purpose of this immensely powerful system, is to influence political outcomes in this country -- and indeed, in the entire world -- in a manner that favors the continuation of the status quo corporate power system. It is dangerous to our civilization, because it will ultimately be used to thwart reform to the predatory, greed-based economic paradigm, in my opinion. I have little confidence in the long term security of our civilization, as long as there are no immediate, positive changes to the way we conduct our economic affairs. No reform, no survival.

Listening to Edward Snowden speak, it is very apparent why his detractors must attack ad hominem: They simply cannot mount a compelling rebuttal against his case.

[Kablooie]

123. I'm kind of surprised the GOP hasn't jumped on the Snowden bandwagon and attacked Obama with it.

This is something that might able to be blown up into major scandal.

I supposed that anything that could be a real scandal is off their radar.
They prefer made up scandals that they control I guess.

[last1standing]

128. A few are but most republicans hate whistleblowers even more than establishment Democrats.

It's a shame how our Democratic leaders changed their tune on transparency and whistleblower protections once they got into office.

[pacalo]

133. What he did was for the good of the people. He was looking out for our rights & interests.

I admire his gumption for taking a stand on our behalf, sacrificing his own liberties for the greater good.

Godspeed, Edward Snowden.

[Progressive dog]

135. One accused felon stops getting an international

media platform and it's a media conspiracy.

[L0oniX]

143. "accused felon" ...without a trial he is a "felon? Looks like some people don't need a court of law.

Obvious ...which side you are on ...enjoy your NSA.

[Progressive dog]

145. Accused felon is not the same as felon

Enjoy your Snowden interviews.

[L0oniX]

146. Enjoy your english. Should be 'accused of a felony' ...felon is past tense.

Enjoy your NSA spies.

[Progressive dog]

151. I wasn't explicit enough for you, indicted for felonies

should be okay, right.

[snooper2]

141. You lied in your third sentence LOL...no need to go further than that :P

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ARD%20snowden%20interview&sm=3

[TransitJohn]

159. I didn't write it. So I didn't lie. I posted someone's writing with correct attribution.

I don't appreciate the smear.

[lovuian]

148. I saw the article on RT but did anybody see it on Major TV stations?

because I didn't

is that Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press

the interesting thing said is that Obama could change the NSA without Congress's permission

He has that Executive Power

[Blue_Tires]

150. So...Dude claims the U.S. Gov't is blocking an interview and scrubbing it from the net

Despite that same supposedly "blacked-out" interview being posted and discussed multiple times on this thread...

And the thread *still* gets 163+ recs on the basis of its sensationalist, bullshit, meritless headline?

DU just doesn't makes sense to me anymore....

[Rex]

158. Are you saying the govt is not scrubbing fast enough!?

I guess they mean a blackout by the M$M? I really do not understand either.

[GoneFishin]

153. Media blackouts are real. Average people don't know what the hell TPP or Keystone XL are unless

they are vigilant political junkies.

There are plenty of puff pieces that would not be missed if the M$M wanted to cover this instead, but they don't.

[woo me with science]

154. K&R