dagblog - Comments for "Edward Snowden: Your Technoutopian/Libertarian Hero Traitor?"

In other words you're ok not

ocean-kat — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:05:15 +0000

In other words you're ok not only with the government not informing the American people you're also just fine with the government misinforming the people and government officials lying to congress.

Because why? It will be good for the post office.

I bet you also think the grown ups should take you seriously when you post inane crap like this in the middle of an adult discussion. I sure won't anymore.

The levels of 'political

NCD — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:59:18 +0000

In reply to People are extremely willing

The levels of 'political TV/radio/internet 'nuts', and the distance of the political fringes from the 'mainstream' have never been greater in America than today.

As to artappraisers link to 'Girlmeat Hunter' former NYC uniformed policeman, Mr. Valle, I suppose if anyone here was stalked by, and named was on his list to kill and cook, they would be greatly relieved he was found guilty of conspiracy, and will not be back on the streets anytime soon.

Look at it this way, this

NCD — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:40:27 +0000

In reply to Its all well and good to say

Look at it this way, this whole thing may be good for the Postal Service, look what email has done to them.

There is no mention of an NSA dragnet on millions of envelopes of first class mail (if first class mail even reaches into the millions anymore). Even postcards are likely more secure and private then email.

Its all well and good to say

ocean-kat — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:12:13 +0000

In reply to The top reader selected

Its all well and good to say vote them out. I would, if I know what they're doing. Now I'm beginning to have some idea just what they're up to. It surely will affect my vote, maybe it won't affect your's.

But when the program is secret and James Clapper, director of the NSA, blatantly lies to congress about the program and its so top secret that not even congress members can talk about it how can I know who to vote out?

Assange didn't follow his own

Donal — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:42:25 +0000

In reply to It does. But the U.S.

Assange didn't follow his own advice in running Wikileaks, but I think he was correct that those who rely on ever-increasing secrecy to maintain control will undermine themselves.

Slate had a decent series

Michael Maiello — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:40:12 +0000

In reply to People are extremely willing

Slate had a decent series covering the show trial of the guy who said gross things on the Internet.

People are extremely willing

artappraiser — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:32:01 +0000

In reply to Edward Snowden: Your Technoutopian/Libertarian Hero Traitor?

People are extremely willing to enforce mainstream values on others, in any way they can.

Yet peer pressure is also how culture change happens (for good or bad.) It never seems that government can be successful at it, no matter how much they try. The popular arts are one area that does have some sway in changing the "mainstream values" that are "enforced." But then, they first have to become "popular" somehow.

I don't know why I am pointing this out here; I guess it is that your writing there conjured up one of my favorite memes.

I will just point out that I didn't see any liberal or libertarian bloggers standing up for the guy convicted of cannibal thought crimes.

I have argued that while

A Guy Called LULU — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:23:55 +0000

In reply to One thing I fear, by the way,

I have argued that while bravely risking severe punishment by breaking the law as an act of conscience, that it is completely justified, completely ethical, to try to evade being a martyr for doing so. Coincidental with most people taking the opposite view is the apparent fact that Snowden's way seems to be getting more traction.

There is an online petition of support for him. The names of signers are displayed if they do not opt out and request that they be shown as anonymous. Of the first 25, as far as I checked, female names outnumber male names two to one. That is, twelve to six with seven choosing 'anonymous'. I would guess, especially considering the issue, that each signature represents a high multiple of people who read and support the petition but are afraid to sign it.

http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=8083

It does. But the U.S.

Michael Maiello — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:19:13 +0000

In reply to As I mentioned on my blog,

It does. But the U.S. government does not "barely have the upper hand." Just ask Manning. Assange may be responsible for his own troubles but look how quickly his reputation and influence diminished. His partners turned on him. Wikileaks has been overshadowed by Anonymous and on the political left, Assange is viewed with a whole ton of suspicion, particularly by feminists who find the "honey pot" explanation unconvincing.

Re: If you don't trust them,

artappraiser — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:16:43 +0000

In reply to The top reader selected

Re: If you don't trust them, vote them out, Nate Silver writes about how the current situation does seem to be about whether you trust them or not, that partisanship tends to dominate all other considerations.