FBI chief doesn't see Snowden as a whistleblower

[alp227]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director James Comey says he doesn't regard people like former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden as a whistleblower in the ongoing controversy over surveillance.

The New York Times and Guardian newspapers have called for clemency for Snowden, saying that he should be praised rather than punished for his disclosures of information about government surveillance. The Justice Department has charged him with illegally disclosing government secrets.

In comments to reporters Thursday when asked about Snowden, the FBI director said whistleblowers are important, but that he has trouble applying the term to programs such as the NSA's, which he said are operating in the way the nation's founders intended — under the oversight of Congress, the executive branch and the courts.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fbi-chief-doesnt-see-snowden-whistleblower

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Full article at this moment.

[Swede Atlanta]

1. No one that is part of "Big Brother" is ever going to concede

Snowden was a whistleblower that exposed grievous crimes of our government in a spectacular but never the less likely necessary manner.

Snowden is no doubt aware of how the Obama administration has treated other whistleblowers and how we tortured Chelsea Manning for her "crimes".

I wouldn't come forward through "normal channels" either knowing the our government engages in torture against those them deem to have hurt them in some way.

[saidsimplesimon]

2. surprised

This cover up is worse than the crime. "under the oversight of Congress", like anyone believes the tall tales of "Congressional oversight". Good for laughs imho.

[atreides1]

3. Of course he doesn't.

It isn't much oversight if the Congress can change the law and the courts constantly rule in favor of the NSA and what they do

It's kind of like having the fox watch the hen house...that's the kind of oversight being conducted!

[1000words]

4. I'm shocked

Shocked, I tells ya.

[mike_c]

5. that's 'cause the whistle blew a bit too close to his heart....

No doubt he loves him some police state.

[Vincardog]

6. And he proved he is not operating in the people's interest

[sinkingfeeling]

7. I doubt if the founders intended to allow electronic surveillance of

the country's citizens.

[cstanleytech]

8. Unless they had the power to see into the future there has been alot they could

never have intended.

[drynberg]

9. Sure Snowden is a whistleblower, in fact he's a real Patriot.

Edward cares more about his country of the USA and our Constitution than he does about his own life and future. That's a fact, not gobblygook spin by a professional spinner like James Comey. Edward has shown the light on all these cockroaches sucking away at our privacy and they of course don't like it. Duh.

[warrant46]

10. a professional spinner like James Comey.

Amazing how these CLOWNS think Black=White

[Solly Mack]

11. Snort

There's a surprise.

[frylock]

12. gee, no shit? what a shocker..

hold the presses.

[debunkthis]

13. Well...

I don't regard James Comey as being human. So much for a perfect world...

[blackspade]

14. Yes lets wheel out the 'founders'

That always trumps all other authority...