Now that a US appeals court has ruled against the NSA, is Snowden vindicated?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:31:46 -0400

"Last month a US appeals court ruled the NSA's post-9/11 dragnet of millions of Americans' phone-call records is illegal, noting that a secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) order "leaked by former government contractor Edward Snowden" and published by The Guardian served as the catalyst for the decision"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/questions-about-snowden-2015-6#ixzz3buYtVGYK

http://www.businessinsider.com/questions-about-snowden-2015-6

Now that Snowden claimed his whistle-blower crown, 3 outstanding questions come into focus

Now that Snowden's first leak is vindicated, here are three questions about his journey:

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 2 at 2015 9:41 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:41:13 -0400

Depends on which side you're on...seems he should be protetced as a whistleblower, but that'll be an embarrasment to the government.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:44 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:44:07 -0400

Tough one. Perhaps he saw no other method to let the populace know what was going on? He obviously will not be treated any differently by this administration as they just came out yesterday saying they want him to get back to America to face trial. I don't know. I doubt we'll know everything about why he did what he did for at least another year or two.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:51 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:51:04 -0400

No. He could have worked within the system to make the system work. He chose "glory" instead

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:56 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:56:49 -0400

If he would have stayed to face his charges, perhaps. Since he just couldn't wait to consort with China and Russia, and attampt to call his motives "pure" are laughable.
Whistleblowers do not disclose publicly on internet forums; they go through specific ombudsmen or Congressional inquiries.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 2 at 2015 10:15 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:15:58 -0400

I don't know the full answer here.

I do know that the disclosures he made have started an important conversation. I do know the award winning movie "Citizenfour" is worth watching, as is the John Oliver interview of Snowden. I have yet to read the Glen Greenwald articles but imagine them worth reading as well. I know that this court cited the disclosures as evidence that helped in the ruling. I know that previous attempts had been made by people trying to work within the system going to the House Intelligence Committee and elsewhere.

I know he went straight to China, then Russia trying to go possibly to Ecuador, Cuba, Venzuela etc. These are not nations known for their liberal individual rights and are instead known for their intelligence interest in the United States.

This is complicated, but it's an important issue.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jun 2 at 2015 10:18 AM

SFC Jeff L. — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:18:36 -0400

Believe me...the government is still listening, watching, monitoring everything. Even the NSA was granted the ability to continue monitoring "ongoing investigations."

FBI using low-flying spy planes over U.S.: AP

Small aircraft have video, cellphone surveillance capability; bureau says they're used for specific investigations; civil liberties concerns raised

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 2 at 2015 11:12 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:12:09 -0400

No, in a conversation my friend said thank God for Snowden. I replied the first place he ran off to was China, then Russia and then he wanted to go to Cuba. No human rights, they spy on there citizens. And you afraid to say anything because your neighbor will turn you in.
He is an opportunist, getting his 15 minutes of fame.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 2 at 2015 11:53 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:53:39 -0400

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 2 at 2015 4:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 16:17:01 -0400

So he wanted to make changes by telling the whole world, then return to the US like some welcomed hero?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 2 at 2015 6:19 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 18:19:10 -0400

He released a shotgun blast of information, revealed sources/methods, and gave our adversaries assistance. Both him and Manning could have gave info to congress if they had misgivings , been whistle blower protected, and not spilled. Snow den made a victory lap to many adviserary nations in the process, spilling all the way. So one or two specific programs are under scrutiny, NOT his call. Treasonous

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 4:19 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 04:19:32 -0400

I've been against the Patriot Act since Day 1. Nobody, not even the SCOTUS who are all a lot more educated than I am, can convince me that it is somehow NOT unconstitutional. How exactly are my private phone conversations a matter of national security?

Snowden knew that too, but he had the balls to actually do something about it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:36 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:36:54 -0400

I don't trust Congress. If I believed that my government would convict me of treason for trying to provide evidence that the system is harmful to Americans, I'd consider releasing the info and bailing, too. IDK if it's right, but it's certainly understandable.

That now a government agency has given a ruling that would seem to support some of the conclusions that most draw from the info Snowden released doesn't have any relevance to whether his actions were the correct ones.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:39:46 -0400

In my opinion he showed the break down of our government when it comes to the constitution, when it comes to the justice system most of the wistle blowers that came forward were prosecuted. When it comes to justice and when you look at snowden and gen David Petraeus, gen Petraeus got a rist slap. So in a way the lady justice is skewed favorably for those who have connections and come from power while the people on the bottom get the full full penal code system tost at them

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 3 at 2015 12:01 PM

COL Ted Mc — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:01:42 -0400

This whole situation is a lot like taking your 14 year old sister to the obstetrician - you REALLY wish that it wasn't necessary.