In case you missed it – John Oliver’s surprise Sunday night interview with the hero/traitor/whistleblower du jour.
The NSA, privacy, security and dick pics. It’s all here from 16.00.
Previously: Statue Of Liberty
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Everything. As It Happens.
Anything in their on deliberately and obviously acting as a propaganda tool for Vladimir Putin? His laughably unbelievable denials about co-operating with Russian intelligence? The rank hypocrisy of assisting a country whose SORM telecoms monitoring standards are beyond the wildest fantasies of the most swivel-eyed NSA securocrat?
Nah, thought not.
Hi Daragh, Are you trying to suggest that Russia being an awful repressive dictatorship makes what Snowdon revealed the NSA to be doing ok? ‘Ah, that NSA is grand, sure look at the state of them Russians” type of revisionist perspective. I am in no way surprised that the dictator Putin is using Snowdon for political/ PR capital. That does not undermine the importance of what Snowdon revealed to the world IMO, for all our benefit. Less whataboutery please.
It’s not whataboutery. Its about Snowden’s grotesque hypocrisy, if one accepts that he was a genuine whistleblower. It isn’t that Putin is ‘using’ Snowden – Snowden is actively allowing himself to be used (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/edward-snowden-asks-vladimir-putin-about-russian-spying-on-its-citizens/2014/04/17/bdbdcbdc-c62b-11e3-9f37-7ce307c56815_story.html) And given that his ‘revelations’ about Merkel and Germany in particular have been shown to be false (http://www.vox.com/2014/12/12/7381539/merkel-phone-tapped-nsa) there’s a real question surrounding Snowden’s motives. Moscow would dearly love to drive a wedge between the US and the Europeans (as well as to inspire hostility among the US populace to their security services) and Russia doesn’t have a history of simply allowing spooks into the country when they show up at the airport, without some vetting. I’m skeptical about the theory many have that Snowden is/was a Russian agent, but it is plausible. I am certain that he’s a hypocritical blowhard, and a bullshitter to boot.
“without some vetting”
The vetting being what exactly?
There’s nothing like bringing people together like a common enemy.. that sort of vetting?
Are you aware of the concept of a ‘double agent?’ Or indeed, deception of any kind? If not, please read up before discussing espionage in future.
Also, if the ‘enemy of mine enemy’ logic leads you to jump into bed with a surveillance state more oppressive and hostile than anything conceived of in the US or any other Western democracy, you’re not a whistleblower. You’re a hypocrite and a traitor.
“Also, if the ‘enemy of mine enemy’ logic leads you to jump into bed with a surveillance state more oppressive”
In the last interview he gave, Snowdon was very critical of Russia.
He’s not a double agent…Russia wasn’t his first choice of destination.
As for telling me what to read, politely, kiss my ass.
Gosh he was critical of Russia in an interview he gave for a Western TV audience? Well shut my mouth. That proves his integritude. Never mind all that ‘willfully appearing on Russian television to support Putin’s blatant lies about the extent of Russia’s surveillance state.’
Seriously – grow up. And yes, if you’re going to declare someone a hero for their exposure of espionage activities, you might want to know something about how espionage works and what its for in the first place.
*its’
That’s a lot of whataboutery about Russia.
He didn’t want to end up there.
He’s not a double agent.
Relax yourself and let’s focus on the nefarious use of surveillance by the NSA that he uncovered.
“That’s a lot of whataboutery about Russia.”
Not really, given the supposed depths of Snowden’s convictions.
“He didn’t want to end up there.”
You have no way of knowing that.
“He’s not a double agent.”
You have no way of knowing that. And if you think Russia would allow him asylum without undergoing extensive debriefing and interrogation by its intelligence agencies, you’re simply deluded (note – Snowden claims this hasn’t happened. Another obvious lie).
“Relax yourself and let’s focus on the nefarious use of surveillance by the NSA that he uncovered.”
I’d prefer to conduct that debate with reasonable people, who know what they’re talking about and don’t swallow the claims of obvious hypocrites with doubtful motives whose ‘revelations’ remain dubious at best (see above, RE his claims about Merkel).
BONUS! Take a look at what’s happening to the Crimean Tatars. No doubt the Russian FSB, GRU and SVR were delighted they had Eddie around to tell them all they needed know to enjoy total strategic and tactical surprise when Russia invaded the peninsula last year. FREEDOM!
Tough choice between spending the occasional awkward weekend with Putin and spending 40 patriotic years in a supermax prison.
firstly the interview was about Americans having their privacy invaded so him being a “propaganda tool ” for Putin isn’t relevant. Also he has addressed those claims here
Edward Snowden defends decision to question Vladimir Putin on surveillance
http://gu.com/p/3zgn6
and your second link showing how his Merkel “revelations ” clearly says there is no evidence linking Snowden to that story.
But he is the bullshit-er…
in fact Snowden didn’t publish anything
he gave the information to journalists who decided what to report on
‘Daragh McDowell’ is surely a made up name? Someone tying to sound like a typical Irish comment poster…?
You’re certain are you?
Has it in fact occurred to you that he was handed on a plate to Putin’s Russia by the “blowhards” in the so-called “intelligence” services who freely allowed him access all their confidential information? Or that if his passport had not been revoked he might have opted to reside somewhere other than Russia where the possibilities you mention would not be in existence?
No. A) because that doesn’t actually make any sense B) Julian Assange is starting to give the game away a bit – https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/588126151995863040
What about all of the things that you say
What about all of the promises that you made
What about all of the nights that you gave
What about all of the things you told me
What about all of the things that you say
What about all of the promises that you made
What about all of the nights that you gave
What about, what about
What about us? What about us, us?
What about us? What about us, us?
Why dont you return my calls?
Why you trip out where I be?
You dont even come to see me.
:-(
Tell us more Daragh.You seem to know more about this.
I do indeed. I’m a Russia expert.
They’re awful aren’t they. Better look at dick pics there, double-o zero.
‘x’ being an unknown value and a ‘spurt’ being a drip under pressure.
Google me.
Become a US expert too,you won’t sound so biased.
https://www.google.fr/search?q=me&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=2ronVbqNIsTiaofNgYgF
His a hero full stop.
Thank god our dick pics are safe for another day
Did you even watch the video? Your dick picks are anything but safe, in fact they’re probably being distributed around the NSA right now.
Only because I sent them directly to save time.
Youre welcome Obama
I’m thinking of sending them my entire scat collection….
The surprising thing about all that was not how widespread it was but how surprised people were.
When d’interwebz first appeared in our offices circa 94/95 I remember a collegue telling me to not include anything in an email that you wouldn’t be happy seeing on the front cover of the Irish Times. I know I’m certainly guilty, along with nearly everyone else, of forgetting that fact.
“The surprising thing about all that was not how widespread it was but how surprised people were.”
Are you on drugs? I need some to make sense of that..
dick pix or GTFO
you have to have a dick in the first place to be able to take the pix
Oh thanks for this.
Saw the last interview he did too, with your man who turned out to be a spoofer.. Brian Williams was it. Shot down in a helicopter in Iraq.. but it were all a dream.
Snowdon is a hero.
America wants him dead or under lock and key, thats for certain. He exposed America for what it is . A bully. Man should be praised for his work. Whistleblowers like him and Maurice Mc Cabe are to be praised
+1
he pushed open American flaps
That was brilliant.
+1
Snowden is a hero! The attempts to attack him by fools and mindless US supporting drones like our ‘Russia expert’ Mr McDowell are comical. Maybe he should research US history as well so he can see just what a shower of w**kers they really are. Freedom and Democracy my a**e!
At the risk of fanning the flames of an already fraught discussion – John Oliver hasn’t aged as well as one might have hoped.