Whatever your feelings about what this guy did you have to admire his bravery

[Classic Jorge]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblowe r-edward-snowden-why (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-why)

[Chief Arrowhead]

[Fast Eddie :L:]

[Classic Jorge]

Though, obviously, in a kind of uniquely american libertarian dogma I suppose he could have been. But then again so could Tim McVeighm I guess.

The main thing that amazes me is that people seem genuinely shocked, like this wasnt a pre-agreed direction of travel or something. The internet is f**king built on a US military intelligence network FFS!

[Chief Arrowhead]

If you were sitting there and realized that this government is turning tyrranical in its capabilities, where do you go? The natural outlets, ( NY TImes, Washington Post, etc.) are so clearly in the bag for Obama that you can't go there. Assange might be a likely place.

I support his defence.

[Alexism - Atheoist]

values of this country against people who want to use gov't power for their own ends. He, Manning are both heroes imo.

[Classic Jorge]

I believe in big governments, big security services, big espionage and counter espionage as it's advantageous to the state.

These people who spout all of the virtues of freedom and the beauty of liberty whilst supporting this stuff are hypocrites though, plain and simple.

Sadly it seems we're all ruled by them.

[Chief Arrowhead]

EVERY picture is archived, every relationship noted.
Hard to stay off the grid.

[Chief Arrowhead]

as I was.

[Alexism - Atheoist]

and one of them is that it can't simply spy on you, it has to have reasonable suspicion and the agreement of the courts. Now it used to be that there were 3 gov'ts and each checked the other, but now we're in the "President is King" mode and have been for at least a decade.

Essentially rather than 3 co-equal branches of gov't ruling, we now have the ultra-rich ruling and the 3 branches taking orders from them.

Turns our we're turning into Britain circa 1776 :yikes:

[Gunner Since Time Began - born to moan]

[Mc Gooner]