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3 Former NSA Employees Praise Edward Snowden, Corroborate Key Claims
The Atlantic ^ | June 18, 2013 | Conor Friedersdorf

Posted on 06/18/2013 4:37:20 PM PDT by BfloGuy

USA Today has published an extraordinary interview with three former NSA employees who praise Edward Snowden's leaks, corroborate some of his claims, and warn about unlawful government acts.

Thomas Drake, William Binney, and J. Kirk Wiebe each protested the NSA in their own rights. "For years, the three whistle-blowers had told anyone who would listen that the NSA collects huge swaths of communications data from U.S. citizens," the newspaper reports. "They had spent decades in the top ranks of the agency, designing and managing the very data collection systems they say have been turned against Americans. When they became convinced that fundamental constitutional rights were being violated, they complained first to their superiors, then to federal investigators, congressional oversight committees and, finally, to the news media."

In other words, they blew the whistle in the way Snowden's critics suggest he should have done. Their method didn't get through to the members of Congress who are saying, in the wake of the Snowden leak, that they had no idea what was going on. But they are nonetheless owed thanks.

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: benghazi; fastandfurious; impeachnow; irs; nsa; snowden
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He's not the only one.

He's just the one who didn't do it through proper channels -- because proper channels are designed to quash any dissent.

1 posted on 06/18/2013 4:37:20 PM PDT by BfloGuy
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To: BfloGuy

That said, what was the impact
of what they reported?

NOTHING.

Corruption is interwoven with the US government in a way
NEVER seen in the history of what was once a free country.


2 posted on 06/18/2013 4:41:49 PM PDT by Diogenesis
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To: BfloGuy

“It seems to me, that’s where our focus should be on how there could be a betrayal of trust and how a traitor could do something like this to the American people.”

Michele Bachmann


3 posted on 06/18/2013 4:42:14 PM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheel barrow)
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To: BfloGuy

IBTFWWESSOS.

In Before The FReepers Who Want Edward Snowden Shot On Sight.

(Who needs to bother with a trial?)


4 posted on 06/18/2013 4:44:13 PM PDT by null and void (Republicans create the tools of opression, and the democrats gleefully use them!)
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To: BfloGuy
"proper channels are designed to quash any dissent.

Exactly.

5 posted on 06/18/2013 4:45:26 PM PDT by Earthdweller (Harvard won the election again...so what's the problem.......? Embrace a ruler today.)
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To: BfloGuy

No prob. Soon the FR liberal wing will soon arrive to call them traitors as well. Because after years of conservatives pleading for someone inside to come forward at great risk to themselves and their families, the best thing to do is scream TRAITOR! to encourage more to come forward.


6 posted on 06/18/2013 4:45:59 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: null and void

I’m waiting to hear someone say that this data was used to target conservative groups. If it comes out that this data was used for political purposes to swing an election it’s all over.


7 posted on 06/18/2013 4:51:15 PM PDT by peeps36 (America is being destroyed by filthy traitors in the political establishment)
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To: Diogenesis
I agree...I am completely astounded at those whom we once trusted as champions of Freedom. They seem absolutely oblivious to the fact that everyone has been made aware of the level corruption.

Karl Rove and the old lineup at Fox have proved they are for a nanny state, so they didn't surprise me, but I actually felt sorry for the Cheneys this past week.

8 posted on 06/18/2013 4:52:18 PM PDT by Earthdweller (Harvard won the election again...so what's the problem.......? Embrace a ruler today.)
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To: Irenic

“Michele Bachmann”

Yeah, I heard her today. It seems as though Obama will win again by intimidating enough people. He’s got the Republicans who are all enthused for a lynching of Snowden and any journalist who takes him seriously. I do suspect the NSA has some powerful dirt on her.


9 posted on 06/18/2013 4:54:05 PM PDT by JimSEA
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To: BfloGuy

They need to get themselves before congress now


10 posted on 06/18/2013 4:54:23 PM PDT by hoosiermama (Obama: "Born in Kenya" Lying now or then!)
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To: hoosiermama
"They need to get themselves before congress now

They apparently tried that and got nowhere. It is much worse than we all suspected.

11 posted on 06/18/2013 4:56:37 PM PDT by Earthdweller (Harvard won the election again...so what's the problem.......? Embrace a ruler today.)
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To: JimSEA

Enough that she isn’t running for re-election.


12 posted on 06/18/2013 4:58:13 PM PDT by kjam22 (my newest music video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7gNI9bWO3s)
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To: Earthdweller
It is much worse than we all suspected.

That's exactly my take. It's bad. And Bolton's and Cheney's full-throated defense of it has shaken me.

13 posted on 06/18/2013 5:01:58 PM PDT by BfloGuy (The Eurozone policy might best be described as "Laurel and Hardy Carry a Piano Upstairs.")
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To: peeps36
If it comes out that this data was used for political purposes to swing an election it’s all over.

You mean like, if, say, the IRS was used to prevent TEA part supporters from forming 501(c)3s in time to promote conservative viewpoints before the election it would be all over?

Hypothetically, of course, since the IRS would never dare do such a thing...without direct orders!

14 posted on 06/18/2013 5:04:40 PM PDT by null and void (Republicans create the tools of opression, and the democrats gleefully use them!)
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To: BfloGuy

Rhut Ro!


15 posted on 06/18/2013 5:04:42 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (FROM MY COLD, DEAD HANDS!)
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To: kjam22

That’s my suspicion as well.


16 posted on 06/18/2013 5:04:49 PM PDT by JimSEA
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To: BfloGuy
Can he make it to Iceland in time?


17 posted on 06/18/2013 5:04:51 PM PDT by drewh
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To: JimSEA

She hired King RINO to tank her campaign and helped clear the decks for Romney. That’s all anyone who cares about the truth in this really needs to know about where her loyalties lie.

And boy do they lie.


18 posted on 06/18/2013 5:05:25 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: JimSEA
I do suspect the NSA has some powerful dirt on her.

She's a witch, you know...

};^P>

19 posted on 06/18/2013 5:05:57 PM PDT by null and void (Republicans create the tools of opression, and the democrats gleefully use them!)
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To: drewh

I heard he just popped up on the grid in Naples.


20 posted on 06/18/2013 5:06:50 PM PDT by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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