Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations

mangudai954

mangudai954

31,468
1,915
Joined
Sep 16, 2003




The individual responsible for one of the most significant leaks in US political history is Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA and current employee of the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden has been working at the National Security Agency for the last four years as an employee of various outside contractors, including Booz Allen and Dell.

The Guardian, after several days of interviews, is revealing his identity at his request. From the moment he decided to disclose numerous top-secret documents to the public, he was determined not to opt for the protection of anonymity. "I have no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong," he said.

Snowden will go down in history as one of America's most consequential whistleblowers, alongside Daniel Ellsberg and Bradley Manning. He is responsible for handing over material from one of the world's most secretive organisations – the NSA.

In a note accompanying the first set of documents he provided, he wrote: "I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions," but "I will be satisfied if the federation of secret law, unequal pardon and irresistible executive powers that rule the world that I love are revealed even for an instant."

Despite his determination to be publicly unveiled, he repeatedly insisted that he wants to avoid the media spotlight. "I don't want public attention because I don't want the story to be about me. I want it to be about what the US government is doing."

He does not fear the consequences of going public, he said, only that doing so will distract attention from the issues raised by his disclosures. "I know the media likes to personalise political debates, and I know the government will demonise me."

Despite these fears, he remained hopeful his outing will not divert attention from the substance of his disclosures. "I really want the focus to be on these documents and the debate which I hope this will trigger among citizens around the globe about what kind of world we want to live in." He added: "My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them."

He has had "a very comfortable life" that included a salary of roughly $200,000, a girlfriend with whom he shared a home in Hawaii, a stable career, and a family he loves. "I'm willing to sacrifice all of that because I can't in good conscience allow the US government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they're secretly building."
Click to expand...



More at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance



Interesting he understood the magnitude of doing this and was willing to leave his life behind here knowing he could never come back.
 
Obama addressing nsa surveillance allegations




He basically said that they are recording phone numbers and duration of the phone calls, not the actual conversation itself. He says that if they want to listen to a phone call, they have to explain why and have it approved by a federal judge.
 
Last edited:
Been trying to say they can do whatever they want as long as it is supposedly protecting "national security". Most have known about it, but social media just allows this to become more exposed. Underhanded laws on the books for years result in this.

Nothing the citizens can do about it but go on with their lives.
 
cartune said:
He basically "leaked" something that most people who actually care have known for more than a decade....Salute
Click to expand...

Yeah honestly if you have been on the internet for a good amount of time you would know the government watch. Its been said alot. Hell Google constantly in battle legal to stop such things to no avil.

Its been happening
 
Its comical that people are praising this. The government has been doing surveillance on the population for a while now.
 
Rell826 said:
Its comical that people are praising this. The government has been doing surveillance on the population for a while now.
Click to expand...


True. Most people will complain amongst friends and coworkers then move on. Some don't even care citing that they themselves are not terrorists so it doesn't bother them. If anything, for the people who oppose the power and scope of the NSA and agree with Edward's views, they should be doing things like sending messages to their senators, and joining protests speaking out against legislation that compromises their rights. People are quick to make jokes about the French but they raise hell and let it be known when they're against something.
 
The internet actually made surveillance easier since everything is all in one place now.
 
As the United States of America continues it's decline on the global stage, it's becoming obviously apparent to the general American public that that country who likes to wag its finger at other countries such as China for its blatant surveillance of its citizens is no better than those they criticize, in fact it's even worse.

China and other communist countries monitor and censor their citizens but there's no mistaking it... they admit it without shame. The United States does the same whilst criticizing other countries for doing the same thing... then acts like they're not doing the same thing on an even grander level and gets red-faced when exposed.

It's like Ice Cube's song "No Vaseline". The United States F's its citizens where "the sun don't shine" and doesn't even have the common decency to use lubrication... or at least provide a god-damned reach around.

The United States is in disarray and while I feel many of the leaders deserve to reap what they've sown, most of the citizens do not.

War is peace. 1 plus 1 equals 3. Lies are truths and truths are lies.

Yikes.

:x
 
No one wants to sacrifice anything to get things to change, seems like they just want to sit around and talk about how things are bad and someone needs to do something about it. At best you'll get a bunch of idiots holding signs somewhere which has never changed anything (see hippie movement in the 60s). This country gets exactly what it deserves.
 
knowledgebones72 said:
So what do we do?

Let's use this thread to come to some conclusions, create some ideas of action.
Click to expand...


That is essentially why I post these type of stories.

I still like the idea of explaining your concerns and opposition to invasive legislation to your state senator but I don't think that's enough.



ninjallamafromhell said:
No one wants to sacrifice anything to get things to change, seems like they just want to sit around and talk about how things are bad and someone needs to do something about it. At best you'll get a bunch of idiots holding signs somewhere which has never changed anything (see hippie movement in the 60s). This country gets exactly what it deserves.
Click to expand...


What action do you propose?
 
Last edited:
Sorkoram said:
Been trying to say they can do whatever they want as long as it is supposedly protecting "national security". Most have known about it, but social media just allows this to become more exposed. Underhanded laws on the books for years result in this.

Nothing the citizens can do about it but go on with their lives.
Click to expand...
The citizens can do whatever they want, but I see your point and I agree that they won't.  It annoys me how sedentary we are when it comes to issues like these, including myself.  The Occupy movement started out with a good cause, but then just turned into a clown show.  Nothing is gonna change until we can all come together and decide we aren't gonna take this raping without a fight...
 
What can we do against the government?

It's a question I always ask myself. They can lock you up or have you framed, removing you from the general public indefinitely word to Julian Assange.

If we did decide to start a movement, it would have to be hella lowkey for a long period of time, gathering supporters and ****.

Not even sure how you would gather supporters, because you know the FEDS is watching at this very moment b.
 
so he didn't actually do anything that big. he never leaked info to other countries, nor is he accused. all he did was say what some has be known already for years, esp since bush pushed a plan like that during his time. now that i think about it, this may not be that big a deal...at least i wouldn't fear for his life tho. idk...
 
Last edited:
"What I want to take back from the Patriots are things like... freedom, civil rights, opportunities. The founding principles of this country. Everything that's about to be wiped out by their digital censorship."

USA.... God bless the USA.....
 
Last edited:
sreggie101 said:
so he didn't actually do anything that big. he never leaked info to other countries, nor is he accused. all he did was say what some has be known already for years, esp since bush pushed a plan like that during his time. now that i think about it, this may not be that big a deal...at least i wouldn't fear for his life tho. idk...
Click to expand...

:lol: Dudes talking about "mysterious death" like the wiki leaks founder aint still out here chilling

Internet conspiracy theorists never really know whats going on
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

smedroc
The Neighbour Drama Thread
2
Replies
28
Views
4K
lovehateself
lovehateself
B
Black woman calls cops only to be killed by cops.
Replies
11
Views
2K
1995
1995
slaughterx
Travis King... US Solider Who Crossed Boarder to North Korea
Replies
5
Views
727
6 Rings G.O.A.T.
6 Rings G.O.A.T.
Hijo Del Promo
ANTHONY EDWARDS INSPIRATION THREAD
Replies
9
Views
796
Hijo Del Promo
Hijo Del Promo
you go boy
Need your Prayers for my Dad
3 4 5
Replies
100
Views
8K
ajiiiplatinum
ajiiiplatinum

The ultimate sneaker enthusiast community.

NikeTalk was created as a way of giving back to both the sneaker enthusiast community and to the greater global community of which we are all a part.

NikeTalk is NOT affiliated with Nike Inc. in any way, shape, or form. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Nike, Inc.

© 1999-2024 NikeTalk.com

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom