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The even greater problem is wider ambivalence, or even hostility, to revelations of wrong-doing of power. Edward Snowden revealed illegal NSA wire-tapping of Am

The even greater problem is wider ambivalence, or even hostility, to revelations of wrong-doing of power. Edward Snowden revealed illegal NSA wire-tapping of American citizens, among other egregious violations of the law, and yet he still remains in exile. His standing among both liberals and conservatives remains poor. I do not understand why this is so, but it's not hard to understand how such treatment has a chilling effect on any reporting on abuses of power. It is hard to believe, but it appears as if the general public no longer has an interest in keeping power in check (or asserting their rights, which is the same thing). It feels as if something critical has changed in the zeitgeist. It felt like it was a point of pride, honor, integrity and courage to share with the wider public information about the abuse of power. It felt like, even if the organization might come after you, ultimately the backstop of reasonable public opinion (and the justice system) would have your back. I no longer believe that is the case, and it is a great loss. We despise our own heroes, now.

fuzzer371 2y ago
I think we can compare the leaks of Ed Snowden with the Pentagon Papers leaks of Mike Gravel. Post 9/11 (And even before) the US government began a widespread campaign against US citizens themselves under the guise of the "War on terror". People became so brainwashed that what we were doing was unequivocally "right" and what the other guys were doing was wrong. And it's continued to the point where the general public now thinks that we're the good guy's no matter what, without questioning authority. At the time the Pentagon Papers were leaked, it was the first time in a long time (In my opinion) that the general populous woke up and saw that we were doing some pretty horrendous things. The 3 letter agencies took this to heart, and learned from it. People haven't been taught to think critically in a long time, and that's on purpose.
- ranger_danger 2y ago
  Sounds a lot like demoralization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3EZCVj2XA&t=4m49s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3EZCVj2XA&t=4m49s
- simpaticoder 2y ago
  The key difference between then and now is the structure of media. We do not have Walter Cronkite. We do not have the Fairness Doctrine. We do have Citizens United. This leads to professional zealous advocates dominating the information space. To blame individuals for a lack of critical thinking skills in this environment is like decriminalizing violent crime and then blaming bloodied individuals for a lack of firearm and hand combat training.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago
  > it's continued to the point where the general public now thinks that we're the good guy's no matter what What? We're in a period of peak civic cynicism.
- drewcoo 2y ago
  > I think we can compare the leaks of Ed Snowden with the Pentagon Papers leaks of Mike Gravel. Do you mean Ellsberg? Gravel's contribution was reading the Pentagon papers into the Congressional record.

fuzzer371 2y ago

I think we can compare the leaks of Ed Snowden with the Pentagon Papers leaks of Mike Gravel. Post 9/11 (And even before) the US government began a widespread campaign against US citizens themselves under the guise of the "War on terror". People became so brainwashed that what we were doing was unequivocally "right" and what the other guys were doing was wrong. And it's continued to the point where the general public now thinks that we're the good guy's no matter what, without questioning authority. At the time the Pentagon Papers were leaked, it was the first time in a long time (In my opinion) that the general populous woke up and saw that we were doing some pretty horrendous things. The 3 letter agencies took this to heart, and learned from it. People haven't been taught to think critically in a long time, and that's on purpose.

ranger_danger 2y ago
Sounds a lot like demoralization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3EZCVj2XA&t=4m49s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX3EZCVj2XA&t=4m49s
simpaticoder 2y ago
The key difference between then and now is the structure of media. We do not have Walter Cronkite. We do not have the Fairness Doctrine. We do have Citizens United. This leads to professional zealous advocates dominating the information space. To blame individuals for a lack of critical thinking skills in this environment is like decriminalizing violent crime and then blaming bloodied individuals for a lack of firearm and hand combat training.
JumpCrisscross 2y ago
> it's continued to the point where the general public now thinks that we're the good guy's no matter what What? We're in a period of peak civic cynicism.
drewcoo 2y ago
> I think we can compare the leaks of Ed Snowden with the Pentagon Papers leaks of Mike Gravel. Do you mean Ellsberg? Gravel's contribution was reading the Pentagon papers into the Congressional record.