Morsels of varying sizes and shapes.
Bon Appetit!
>> I'm amazed at the division that the Edward Snowden affair is causing on the left side of the political spectrum. I've seen and heard what seems to be an equal number of supporters, as there are detractors. Democratic Underground has made for especially interesting reading over the last couple of weeks - and the detractors are in full force, at times reading like only slightly-better-educated versions of the typical right-wing hack. Many progressive radio show hosts have not taken kindly to him, either: listen to Stephanie Miller on a given morning over the last couple of weeks. I'm sure that all this division is causing the Republicans to just jump for glee at whatever hideout serves as their headquarters these days - because that's ultimately who this whole brouhaha is benefiting.
By the way, those on the left that are raising Cain over Snowden and demanding his head on a plate: who are you really trying to protect? I suspect that they know that all of this is a reflection on President Obama, and their real concern is the potential impact on the 2014 and 2016 elections. We cannot afford to have disillusionment drive down turnout and thus benefits the Repubs, but can you blame people for not being especially enthusiastic about casting a vote for a party that betrayed them? Chris Hedges lays it all out in
Death Of The Liberal Class - read it.
>> Edward Snowden is being accused by this Administration of espionage. Here's the question: spying
on whose behalf????? If this was truly a case of espionage, and he's acting as an agent for somebody, would any of his revelations have seen the light of day? He could have sold this information to an interested nation, with it likely being kept secret, and be paid quite handsomely for it, so I don't think that personal enrichment was his motivation for going public.
>> Not to overstate the obvious, but Mr. Snowden will not get a fair trial in this country. Hong Kong knows that. So does China and Russia, not to mention any other country not completely in America's waning sphere of influence. Honestly - would Hong Kong have made their statement that our extradition request didn't completely meet their legal requirements 15-20 years ago? How about Ecuador's public reminder that Snowden's extradition request will be evaluated based on Ecuador's constitution and laws? The international community is standing up to us, and I say,
GOOD! It's high time.
BTW, perhaps the Emperor isn't completely naked - yet. But the skivvies are certainly in full view - and the Moon Over American Exceptionalism is on the rise. See below.
>>I actually think that we're having a discussion that should have been had for a long time - how much are we willing to let any third party, whether that be government or corporate (these days, is there any difference?), intrude and pry into our personal lives and data? From what I'm seeing, especially on the left, we're willing to put up with A LOT of it. Too much, in my opinion. Remember what Ben Franklin was quoted saying, that those who sacrifice freedom for security shall get neither?
How easily intimidated we Americans are.
>>Lastly, a bit of a departure, but perhaps related somewhat: the subject of American Exceptionalism. In my view, American Exceptionalism can be likened to a big, round, plump pair of butt cheeks, between which the collective heads of much of the American population have their heads shoved up and firmly between. In America, we're born with our heads shoved up this space, kept there by the media and the jingoism and belligerent nationalism (which we mistake for patriotism) we were raised with. It's education, experience with other cultures and countries, and a cultural commitment to open mindedness, that begins the prying-out process.
Time to start pulling, ladies and gentleman. And be sure to take a shower afterward - lest the stench wafts around.