Opinion of Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden

[bballrox4717]

HP/FF. There's a big difference in my mind between Manning, who was an emotionally messed up guy who indiscriminately leaked sensitive information to shady sources, and Snowden, who took a clear initiative to make sure none of his information damaged national security. Anyone who says that leaking PRISM damaged national security is kidding themselves.

They are both criminals, no doubt under the current law, but I would love to see some protection for whistle-blowers. It wouldn't surprise me if Snowden gets off a lot easier than Manning.

[bballrox4717]

I have yet to hear a single principled left-wing argument against what these people did. And no "but paultards like them!" isn't a valid argument - nor is "but they harmed Obama's image!". Some people here are either machiavellians or utter hypocrites.

I don't think there is a left-wing argument against it. It's not really an issue between the left and right. It's an issue of whether what they did was wrong, hurt national security and should be punished, or what they did was expose the government's constitutional abuses and should be protected against prosecution despite criminal activity. There's bipartisan support for each option.

I would agree that people who support the Obama administration over this because they don't like the Pauls or believe that the administration can do no wrong are utter hypocrites, just like the people on the right who are blasting Obama over this yet never said a word when Bush did it.

[bballrox4717]

I am leaning towards the view that PRISM is less of a counter terrorist program and more of an anti-political dissident program. The United States government's priority these days is the protection of corporate power, not the protection of ordinary people, which should be obvious to anyone with a brain (how many Wall Streeters have been prosecuted again??) so I'm not sure I understand the reactionary attitudes of so many here.

Give me a break.  The NSA as no legal authority to spy on people for political reasons.  And where is the evidence that it happened?  And where is the motive? 

It's fine to question the government.  But, there's a line between questioning and making up conspiracy theories.  The people who work in government are not evil people, nor are they owned by the banks.  You're just making ridiculous assumptions. 

This. I'm so sick of the conspiracy crowd. The government is not out to get us.