Edward Snowden, the NSA, whistleblowers, spying, privacy issues and other stuff

[Prox]

   I'm pretty sure by now everyone is aware of the situation that's been going on right now, so what are your thoughts on this and how do feel about it? I'm also curious what do American friends of this community think about this. Discuss.

[Alkaline]

If Russia is aiding Snowden, doesn't that increase tensions in the Middle East since Russia aids Syria and the US aids Israel?

[blαh2355]

You know, I'm actually indifferent of whether or not the government is spying into my privacy. Invasion of it sure, but if they don't care what I do then I don't care either. Though I do give limited support to people who are against it.

My only concern is if their spying is worthwhile as in money and effectiveness.

[Tezuni]

As it is now, they have already been collecting and "storing" our information. (emails, phone calls, etc)

They used to need warrants for this type of stuff, and rightfully so.

I don't like it.

[Xrain]

There are many official channels available for snowden to have addressed the NSA overreaching issue. He however, choose to use none of them. At the same time instead of exposing the issue and then stepping aside he chose to make it about himself saying such things as "OMG I HAS MOAR INFORMAITONZ JUST UUU WAIT!!!"

While he might have justified it to himself that he is a hero for releasing classified information on an overzealous program, it seems more to me that he is just doing it in a large part just for the attention it brings him.


The real issue that prism had isn't so much that it is amassing large amounts of data, that before they at least had one check on the system to prevent spying on US systems. But for prism they reduced that to just if the operator manning the station has "reasonable doubt" that the person is outside the US.

[Prox]

If Russia is aiding Snowden, doesn't that increase tensions in the Middle East since Russia aids Syria and the US aids Israel?

According to Russian officials, Snowden haven't even left the airport and so far I haven't heard anything legitimate about Russia aiding Snowden.

You know, I'm actually indifferent of whether or not the government is spying into my privacy. Invasion of it sure, but if they don't care what I do then I don't care either. Though I do give limited support to people who are against it.

My only concern is if their spying is worthwhile as in money and effectiveness.

According to the leaks, the USA has been spying not only on it's citizens, but also on China, Europe or at least on UK with the help of another spying agency in UK and even on former Russian president Medvedev back in 2009 in G20 summit (I think?). I'm pretty sure that this whole spying program also costs enormous amounts of money and so far it didn't prevented all those shootings and Boston bombing, did it?

There are many official channels available for snowden to have addressed the NSA overreaching issue. He however, choose to use none of them. At the same time instead of exposing the issue and then stepping aside he chose to make it about himself saying such things as "OMG I HAS MOAR INFORMAITONZ JUST UUU WAIT!!!"

While he might have justified it to himself that he is a hero for releasing classified information on an overzealous program, it seems more to me that he is just doing it in a large part just for the attention it brings him.


The real issue that prism had isn't so much that it is amassing large amounts of data, that before they at least had one check on the system to prevent spying on US systems. But for prism they reduced that to just if the operator manning the station has "reasonable doubt" that the person is outside the US.

He might have done it to attract more attention to the things he have leaked and I think that it is working pretty well. Also while it brings him much attention it also made him one of the most wanted people for the FBI, CIA and other agencies and as Snowden have said himself - he won't be able to feel safe anymore. I personally don't think that he's trying to become famous but even if he does, I don't really care.

[Astropilot]

I heard he's in Ecuador right now. Anyway I'll only mind if the government is extremely prejudice and general when they spy. Spying wasn't the right thing to do against terrorist attacks anyway. What are they like going to check on some Talibans Facebook?

[Tiger Guy]

I heard he's in Ecuador right now. Anyway I'll only mind if the government is extremely prejudice and general when they spy. Spying wasn't the right thing to do against terrorist attacks anyway. What are they like going to check on some Talibans Facebook?

He's still in Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.

[Prox]

I think that it is likely that the mainstream media is making a huge scandal out of this whistleblower so that they could shift attention away from USA and NATO decision to arm the rebels in syria and one of the groups among the rebels is Al Qaeda. What do you guys think about this?

[blαh2355]

I think that it is likely that the mainstream media is making a huge scandal out of this whistleblower so that they could shift attention away from USA and NATO decision to arm the rebels in syria and one of the groups among the rebels is Al Qaeda. What do you guys think about this?

Hm, that could be a possibility, could the government be behind it though?

[Prox]

Hm, that could be a possibility, could the government be behind it though?

I don't think there is anyone else who can benefit from this, not to mention that they're saying that they have proof of syrian government using chemical weapon when in reality, there is no proof of it what so ever, so I think its safe to assusme that the US government is behind this.