4 ms·
It _is_ hypocritical of him, of course, but despite the hypocrisy he does have lessons for us and his hypocrisy does not negate the substance of the lessons. H
by mc32 4y ago
It _is_ hypocritical of him, of course, but despite the hypocrisy he does have lessons for us and his hypocrisy does not negate the substance of the lessons.
He's also between a rock and a hard pace. So I don't blame him too much. What I will say, is that if you choose to be a whistleblower, as honorable and moral that can be, you should be aware of and assume the consequences. That's the deal. It's not nice and the world should be a better place, but it isn't and that's the way it works.
That said, he, and Truman are right in that bureaucracy transforms and metastasizes and becomes something other than its original intent and inertia takes over and becomes what some deride as "the deep state" which has been a concern at least since Jefferson.
Maybe we should have hard sunsets on most ACTs of congress and if the function is important enough they can raise a new organization, but not one simply taking over, but one growing anew with new management, personnel and regulation.
- throwawaymaths 4y agoIs it hypocritical? No. Inconsistent? (This is the difference between an act of commission and an lie of omission) Yes, but potentially only temporary. Would Snowden speak out against Russia if the US dropped charges and let him come home? Who can say?
- _jal 4y ago> if the US dropped charges Well, I guess he's just trapped by the practical problems created by his peculiar combination of personal morality and cowardice. If you claim whistle-blowing is justified by the exposed crimes and then run, whoever owns wherever you end up now owns you. If they happen to be worse... eh, you made your choice, now live with it. He made his choice.
- mc32 4y agoI think Snowden is a victim of (naive?) idealism. Idealism often has very short term focus and isn't very strategic. This led him into the trap of realpolitik where the notion of purity isn't a concern. So he saw the US engaging in bad things, in illegal activity --without taking into account how the rest of the world works and how much worse things outside can be. Sometimes whistleblowing can bring change for the good, but it's not a guarantee --in this case, "the powers that be" have too much vested in this organ and will seek to minimize this inconvenient problem he represents.
- knodi123 4y agoWe shouldn't listen to any whistleblower unless they are willing to martyr themselves? That seems like an unfair standard.
- _jal 4y agoDon't put words in my mouth. I listen to everything he says, there's a lot to learn. And nowhere am I suggesting he martyr himself. Here's a hint, if you're having difficulty: I'm mostly just describing his plight. I'm not approving of the NSA, FBI, Russia, or anyone else. I do admire him in many respects. I'm just not terribly sympathetic. For as much time as he spent on the immediate escape, it seems like he spent none on, "...and then what?" Kind of an important detail for an aspiring man of international mystery. Instead, he's turned himself into Putin's tchotchke, sitting on a shelf unless and until he somehow becomes situationally useful.
- knodi123 4y ago> Don't put words in my mouth. ... nowhere am I suggesting he martyr himself. I'm not tryin to put words in your mouth. Perhaps think more about the ideas that the words coming out of your mouth convey? You said "If you claim whistle-blowing is justified by the exposed crimes and then run". Sounds like you think he ought not to have run. Even though the president literally discussed applying the death penalty to him. That's why I thought you were suggesting he ought to have martyred himself. > For as much time as he spent on the immediate escape, it seems like he spent none on, "...and then what?" Jesus christ, you described yourself as unsympathetic, and I guess I can't disagree. But "aspiring man of international mystery"? Don't put words in his mouth. If the things he says about his motivations are true, your mischaracterization is grossly offensive.