4 ms·

Prosecuting a journalist -- over something that has the executive branch sweating bullets -- when they're on the way to attend one of the biggest entertainment

Prosecuting a journalist -- over something that has the executive branch sweating bullets -- when they're on the way to attend one of the biggest entertainment award ceremonies of the year would be like loading a revolver with a whole stick of dynamite and pretending you're just going to shoot your foot off. "TSA imprisons Oscar winners on their way to the ceremonies" isn't something Obama wants to see in every newspaper on Monday morning.

rdtsc 12y ago
Agree with your comment personally. But can see how one might have these objections: * It would be a way to make an example out of "collaborators". Presumably in the future the next Greenwald would think twice before embarking on this kind of project. * It would also be a way to prove to themselves and the rest of the world that "nobody really cares and public in general supports the Government". Regarding the last issue. There is a hidden danger in these revelations and that is despite all the talk and all the press, it seems the general public is not too interested in the topic after all. This in turn serves as a signal to the executive branch and to the NSA that they need not worry much and can even increase the intensity of their programs.
imron 12y ago
> "TSA imprisons Oscar winners on their way to the ceremonies" Haha, yeah, that would never happen -- oh, except for that one time when it almost did (nominee only, not the winner): http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/palestinian-oscar-nominee-detained-lax-article-1.1269059 http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/palestini...
- growupkids 12y ago
  A 90 minute delay by immigration because someone didn't bring the right paperwork is not the same thing as being imprisoned.
  - michaelbuddy 12y ago
    No kidding. I've been delayed just about that same timeframe coming back into Chicago while having the right credentials with a foreign greencard holding spouse. Turns out the media didn't ask me for my story.
  - imron 12y ago
    Except he did have the correct papers, including his Oscar invite, and the TSA didn't believe him.
Fede_V 12y ago
Uhh, are you aware of what the Obama administration was doing to James Risen, one of the greatest investigative journalists from the New York Times? They have no problems going after very, very big name journalists with huge organizations behind them.
eevilspock 12y ago
If you refreshed yourself of some American history you might not feel so sure. The likelihood of such a thing happening increases with each rightward shift the country takes. The war on terror is rather popular, and the constitution not so much with is protections for criminals, terrorists, gay marriage, non-christians and atheists, and all other things that make the right see red.

rdtsc 12y ago

Agree with your comment personally. But can see how one might have these objections: * It would be a way to make an example out of "collaborators". Presumably in the future the next Greenwald would think twice before embarking on this kind of project. * It would also be a way to prove to themselves and the rest of the world that "nobody really cares and public in general supports the Government". Regarding the last issue. There is a hidden danger in these revelations and that is despite all the talk and all the press, it seems the general public is not too interested in the topic after all. This in turn serves as a signal to the executive branch and to the NSA that they need not worry much and can even increase the intensity of their programs.

imron 12y ago

> "TSA imprisons Oscar winners on their way to the ceremonies" Haha, yeah, that would never happen -- oh, except for that one time when it almost did (nominee only, not the winner): http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/palestinian-oscar-nominee-detained-lax-article-1.1269059 http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/palestini...

growupkids 12y ago
A 90 minute delay by immigration because someone didn't bring the right paperwork is not the same thing as being imprisoned.
- michaelbuddy 12y ago
  No kidding. I've been delayed just about that same timeframe coming back into Chicago while having the right credentials with a foreign greencard holding spouse. Turns out the media didn't ask me for my story.
- imron 12y ago
  Except he did have the correct papers, including his Oscar invite, and the TSA didn't believe him.

Fede_V 12y ago

Uhh, are you aware of what the Obama administration was doing to James Risen, one of the greatest investigative journalists from the New York Times? They have no problems going after very, very big name journalists with huge organizations behind them.

eevilspock 12y ago

If you refreshed yourself of some American history you might not feel so sure. The likelihood of such a thing happening increases with each rightward shift the country takes. The war on terror is rather popular, and the constitution not so much with is protections for criminals, terrorists, gay marriage, non-christians and atheists, and all other things that make the right see red.