For the first time in several decades, “most” democrats have shed the label of being soft on terror. When considering Gore, Dukakis, Carter and Walter Mondale, these democrats weren’t able to impose their progressive policies because they failed their most important test as Commander-in-chief.
Snowden is not a hero but a traitor and coward. Look, while I’m typing this diary, there are crazed nuts trying to kill us. The NSA was a legal program passed by our government to try to root these people out. This is not some freakin’ mystery – we’ve all known this was going on.
Toobin said this in his recent NewYorker piece:
“Snowden was so irresponsible in what he gave the Guardian and the Post that even these institutions thought some of it should not be disseminated to the public. The Post decided to publish only four of the forty-one slides that Snowden provided. Its exercise of judgment suggests the absence of Snowden’s.
Snowden fled to Hong Kong when he knew publication of his leaks was imminent. In his interview, he said he went there because “they have a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent.” This may be true, in some limited way, but the overriding fact is that Hong Kong is part of China, which is, as Snowden knows, a stalwart adversary of the United States in intelligence matters."
The key reason I’m arguing that progressives need to flee is this important point:
Snowden did his dirt and then fled to the “stalwart adversary” of the United States. And now he’s creating even more drama with our Russian frenemies. We don't need increased hostilities between these triger-happy super powers.
Where is the outrage over Wal-mart??? They do much more data-mining than NSA.
Snowden is not just “leaking” important information, he’s pissing on America and we shouldn’t support his exploits. Just check out the latest CNN poll from today:
1. 55% of Americans believe O has it right or should do more to restrict civil liberties in the war on terror.
2. 51% believe the administration was right to gather phone records.
3. 66% Support government snooping on the internet.
4. 44% approve of Snowden’s action, 52% don't.
5. 54% want him prosecuted.
Progressives, this Snowden debate is fool’s gold. It’s the “you didn’t build that” for progressives. It’s the “leading from behind” or the “fast and furious” types of stories that are certain to stimulate our ideology but it’s not going anywhere. NSA will outlive all of us and governments will continue to spy…forever.
This Snowden story will not end well so we need to cut our losses now just like we did with Anthony Weiner and John Edwards.
I remain a progressive American.