CNN's Toobin Scolds WikiLeaks Spokesman for Invoking Nuremberg in NSA Debate

[Tx4obama]

VIDEO here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn%E2%80%99s-toobin-scolds-wikileaks-spokesman-for-invoking-nuremberg-in-nsa-debate/

The question of whether Edward Snowden should receive clemency or not (it’s a moot point; the government would never consider offering it, and if it did it might come with some strings attached) has been lingering in the minds of many a pundit these days, and during a debate Thursday on CNN about this topic, WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson defended Snowden and invoked the “Nuremberg principles” of doing the right thing in the name of a greater ideal. This really set off Jeffrey Toobin, who accused him of comparing the NSA to the Nazis.

-snip-

[DJ13]

1. accused him of comparing the NSA to the Nazis.

Thats absurd.

The Nazi's had nowhere near the capabilities of keeping tabs on people that the NSA has.

[pa28]

2. Maybe he'll also scold Angela Merkel for comparing the NSA to the Stasi.

It seems to me the consensus is beginning to crack on Snowden. People like Toobin and Ruth Marcus will find themselves running for cover when the conventional wisdom eventually comes down on his side.

[DeSwiss]

3. ''....comparing the NSA to the Nazis.''

NAZI admission standards:

Are you now, or have you ever been one of more of the following?

1. A torturer of enemy combatants?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Not sure ( )

2. Spied on your own citizens and/or allies without warrant or justification.
Yes ( ) No ( ) Not sure ( )

3. Have you ever ordered and/or carried out the murder of a citizen sans trial?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Not sure ( )

4. Do you have a policy of seeking to kill state enemies even when innocent civilians are in direct harm?
Yes ( ) No ( ) Not sure ( ) Simply reclassifies innocents as combatants ( )

If you've answered "Yes" to one or more of the above questions I can assure you that you are indeed a Nazi, or at least well on your way!

- Congratulations!

K&R

[BlueStreak]

4. NSA/CIA passes with flying colors

[markpkessinger]

5. Perhaps Toobin should read (or re-read) Hannah Arendt's, "The Banality of Evil" . . .

This practice of the knee-jerk invocation (expicitly or implicity, as in this case) of Godwin's Law anytime any parallel is drawn between something that is happening today and something that happened during the NAZI era has, in my view, gotten to the point of being downright dangerous in so far as it serves to prevent us from any consideration of the extent of possible ramifications of the thing we are doing now. Drawing a parallel doesn't mean the two situations being compared must be equal in the scope of their ultimate human tragedy and moral horror. The refusal, out of hand, to even consider such parallels arises, I think, from a mindset of "it can't happen here," which is precisely the mindset Holocaust survivors, in their proclamations of "never forget," have worked so hard to fight against. The entire point of remembering the Holocaust is not merely to memorialize the victims, but to create an awareness among people in the world that might enable them to see such horrors in the making in the future.