The
Edward Snowden–NSA affair was for me all but a fait accompli with me absolutely convinced initially that Snowden was
just an idealistic, naïve, disaffected and probably delusional soul. With more forthcoming, credible information (more
than just domestic privacy, illegal search/seizure and our presumption of
innocence issues) coming in I believe that the charges of espionage and treason
levied again him to be justified. Why? - because our intelligence gathering strategy
was legally authorized and we are technically at war with Terrorism and its
many components. Snowden by violating
his oath and ultimately airing sensitive (though not unexpected) data about our
seemingly routine security practices throughout the world has compromised historical,
key military and business alliances. Since
everybody else is doing pretty much the same thing (though on different levels)
this will eventually blow over as diplomats rebuild a tolerable mutual trust
and their beneficial convivial relationships as they joke and banter over their
vodka and single malts.
For
this writer the revelations about privacy issues with the NSA routinely
listening in to telephone conversations or monitoring e-mail and all electronic
media were no deal breaker. That approach appears
to this writer to be a common sense and proven, results-documented, strategy to
pursue given the overt/covert threats and the persistence of our enemies. That for this writer constituted and realized
the essential, though tenuous, balance between privacy and security.
There
is no doubt that Congress has been regularly briefed on the program, but politics is politics and with a wink and
nod many of our now conveniently indignant elected representatives have a
severe case of amnesia. Polls show that
most Americans understand the threat to our country and support (but may not
like) the heroic measures required to effectively combat terrorism. The
country, however, is pretty equally split on their characterization and
treatment of Mr. Snowden though most now favor criminal charges against him.
Interestingly,
we now see revelations even by the NSA that they apparently broke their own
privacy rules and/or exceeded their authority many times since granted those
authorities. Immediate moves by the
President, Congress and the NSA to tighten up oversight of these programs
without compromising our national security is absolutely imperative.
As
for Snowden, he is no “civil disobedient” in the image of Ghandi or MLK Jr. He did much more than blow the whistle on
domestic surveillance tipping him into espionage and treason. He could have engaged his representatives and
plead his case in front of a Senate or House Committee and been guaranteed protection. He didn’t - choosing a hostile international
forum that compromised many important relationships and perhaps even lives.
Many hope that Snowden never returns to the United States and is stripped of his
citizenship. While that might remove jurisdiction over him perhaps Snowden
could then, unencumbered, liaise with an inviting Russian spy Anna Chapman? Let
him live out the rest of his life in some remote corner of Russia on a limited
stipend. His cell will be Russia itself
where Putin has offered nothing but disdain and contempt for defectors. That’s generally what happens after Russia
extracts all the information they can and there is no more PR or intelligence
value in propping up those of Snowden’s ilk. Snowden is no longer an outraged citizen or
whistleblower. He is a defector who stands
accused of espionage and theft of government property and given the
circumstances, those charges do not appear refutable. The only question is Snowden’s motivation and
intent though now that really doesn’t matter. It’s patently obvious that the NSA and other
US intelligence agencies need to rethink their selection process and choice of
contractors and consultants.
Snowden’s
actions were Russia’s most recent pot of gold though any protestations by them
would be ultimate hypocrisy. Russia’s
spying apparatus is, no doubt, more insidious and far reaching than even the
Americans and their Allies - combined.
The Russians continue to send spies to
the US and Europe. We see and hear
credible reports that the FBI has apprehended over 10 Russian spies (some say
20 spies and sleeper agents) in the US just over the past four years. We think
that the tip of the iceberg.
While
the Soviet Union is gone - reinvented as modern Russia, the Cold War continues. It never stopped. Now as for Snowden’s persistent use of “we”
when describing the US Citizenry… for me
that’s debatable.
With
that said Snowden’s actions (whatever his motives) have opened up what we feel
is an essential and critical national debate on balancing security and privacy
issues. Maybe this will finally get Congress off their butts… Our great fear is
that an overreaction on the “privacy side” will empower and inform our enemies
and restrict our intelligence gathering efforts leaving us more vulnerable than
ever to another security disaster on the scale of 911. Everybody – please don’t
let that happen.
Aye,
Ned
Buxton
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