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I don't dispute that what Ellsberg did was brave and ultimately the system worked. But it literally took having the Supreme Court rule in his favor and the Pres

I don't dispute that what Ellsberg did was brave and ultimately the system worked. But it literally took having the Supreme Court rule in his favor and the President thrown out of office (a once ever in 237 years event). Snowden's situation is different, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the one who also appoints the judges to the secret FISA court Snowden has exposed. It's little surprise he didn't throw himself upon their mercy. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-02/chief-justice-roberts-is-awesome-power-behind-fisa-court.html http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-02/chief-justice-rober...

mpyne 13y ago
The Supreme Court did rule in favor of Ellsberg, it ruled in favor of the New York Times, and later in favor of the Congressman who added the Pentagon Papers to the Congressional Record. Likewise Nixon had nothing to do it. He didn't even lift a finger against Ellsberg until Kissinger convinced him that he had to do so for the integrity of his Office. And even if Nixon really was pushing for it, judicial cases don't reset upon a President leaving office. Ellsberg's case was thrown out on a technicality, as I recall, not due to any forebearance on the part of the Executive branch. > Snowden's situation is different, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the one who also appoints the judges to the secret FISA court Snowden has exposed. It's little surprise he didn't throw himself upon their mercy. I wasn't aware that Roberts counted for all 9 votes now.
- marshray 13y ago
  Looks like Ellsberg himself has now said it better than I could: "Snowden made the right call when he fled the U.S." http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/daniel-ellsberg-nsa-leaker-snowden-made-the-right-call/2013/07/07/0b46d96c-e5b7-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/daniel-ellsberg-nsa-l...

mpyne 13y ago

The Supreme Court did rule in favor of Ellsberg, it ruled in favor of the New York Times, and later in favor of the Congressman who added the Pentagon Papers to the Congressional Record. Likewise Nixon had nothing to do it. He didn't even lift a finger against Ellsberg until Kissinger convinced him that he had to do so for the integrity of his Office. And even if Nixon really was pushing for it, judicial cases don't reset upon a President leaving office. Ellsberg's case was thrown out on a technicality, as I recall, not due to any forebearance on the part of the Executive branch. > Snowden's situation is different, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the one who also appoints the judges to the secret FISA court Snowden has exposed. It's little surprise he didn't throw himself upon their mercy. I wasn't aware that Roberts counted for all 9 votes now.

marshray 13y ago
Looks like Ellsberg himself has now said it better than I could: "Snowden made the right call when he fled the U.S." http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/daniel-ellsberg-nsa-leaker-snowden-made-the-right-call/2013/07/07/0b46d96c-e5b7-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/daniel-ellsberg-nsa-l...