4 ms·

Couldn't it be the case that the senator is actually a human being who honestly believes that Snowden is a traitor? I don't personally believe that Snowden is a

by Joeri 13y ago

Couldn't it be the case that the senator is actually a human being who honestly believes that Snowden is a traitor? I don't personally believe that Snowden is any such thing, but I can understand people who do. I also find it a bit hard to accept that all politicians are purely financially driven automatons. There may also be a selection principle at work, where those politicians who honestly hold positions that benefit the defense industry get defense industry dollars.

dhimes 13y ago
But the congressman is supposed to uphold the Constitution, which includes free speech. That's what rubs me the wrong way. Because he (apparently, please correct me if I am wrong) signed this statement as a member of Congress, and not as a private citizen, it makes a difference.
- cstavish 13y ago
  He's not enacting a law to prohibit anyone's speech. He's simply requesting that SXSW use "discretion" in its own speech. Although this isn't the best analogy, it's like a concerned parent writing a letter to a magazine asking them to refrain from publishing borderline obscene content. When TV/radio personalities get their shows cancelled over inappropriate comments, that's not a violation of free speech. In fact, it's an affirmation of free speech--the network doesn't want to tarnish its brand.
  - dhimes 13y ago
    My point is that to do it as a private citizen is one thing; to do it as a Congressman is quite another. It's all in how he signed his name.
iwwr 13y ago
The fact that he may be honest in his beliefs does not make him less of a terrible person, quite the contrary. At the very least a duplicitous person can change their position.
6cxs2hd6 13y ago
He might sincerely believe that. Of course you're right, he's a human being. Human beings tend to get embarrassed and angry when it is revealed they didn't even try to do their job well. He's a member of the intelligence committee. He is responsible for oversight. As a result, I think pretty clearly there's an element of "Don't listen to this guy who made me look bad. Maybe I'm lazy, but that guy is a traitor."
frostmatthew 13y ago
> I also find it a bit hard to accept that all politicians are purely financially driven automatons. They're not "purely financially driven automatons" - but it does require a lot of money to get elected/re-elected, and like most humans they want to keep their job.

by Joeri 13y ago

dhimes 13y ago

But the congressman is supposed to uphold the Constitution, which includes free speech. That's what rubs me the wrong way. Because he (apparently, please correct me if I am wrong) signed this statement as a member of Congress, and not as a private citizen, it makes a difference.

cstavish 13y ago
He's not enacting a law to prohibit anyone's speech. He's simply requesting that SXSW use "discretion" in its own speech. Although this isn't the best analogy, it's like a concerned parent writing a letter to a magazine asking them to refrain from publishing borderline obscene content. When TV/radio personalities get their shows cancelled over inappropriate comments, that's not a violation of free speech. In fact, it's an affirmation of free speech--the network doesn't want to tarnish its brand.
- dhimes 13y ago
  My point is that to do it as a private citizen is one thing; to do it as a Congressman is quite another. It's all in how he signed his name.

iwwr 13y ago

The fact that he may be honest in his beliefs does not make him less of a terrible person, quite the contrary. At the very least a duplicitous person can change their position.

6cxs2hd6 13y ago

He might sincerely believe that. Of course you're right, he's a human being. Human beings tend to get embarrassed and angry when it is revealed they didn't even try to do their job well. He's a member of the intelligence committee. He is responsible for oversight. As a result, I think pretty clearly there's an element of "Don't listen to this guy who made me look bad. Maybe I'm lazy, but that guy is a traitor."

frostmatthew 13y ago

> I also find it a bit hard to accept that all politicians are purely financially driven automatons. They're not "purely financially driven automatons" - but it does require a lot of money to get elected/re-elected, and like most humans they want to keep their job.