Comment by mclovinit | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mclovinit | Hacker News Reader

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Just a question that seems to always cross my mind when I think of individuals like Snowden (and I am not a strong believer that everything I see in the media is rooted in some conspiracy theory): Why are many so confident that he is operating independently and not just redirecting blame towards himself as part of a larger CIA operation? i.e. PRISM may have already been leaked at the time anyway so CIA, then manufactures a "scapegoat".

Sure there is some interesting stuff that has been uncovered, but I cannot help, but wonder if his hero image is being burned into the psyche of every rebellious, "hacker" teen out there just to promote a viral effect of some kind. I am in no way condemning Snowden and the like (I really want to cheer him on) but I am, at the same time, not going to be totally convinced that I should be following what he or his constituents share with the masses.

As a side, I am ready "Classified Woman" by Sibel Edmonds and the same question came up regarding her background. Just thought I would throw this out there since it has been on my mind for some time. I am wondering if anyone has here similar thoughts.

There's a no way of knowing the answer to your question, but ultimately, it shouldn't really matter.

There are people who say that Snowden leaks are a CIA operation against the NSA, born out of patriotism. There are others who say that he acted on direct orders from Obama, who had found it impossible to rein the intelligence agencies in, and needed to foment public support. We can judge by how the political actors have been behaving since the leaks. Our children will be able to read about it once internal documents are declassified.

It is never good to idolize a person, and to put them on a pedestal. We all have flaws. Snowden has done us all a tremendous service, at a great personal peril, and it seems he will live to tell the story. We should all be so lucky. But he is a flawed man, just like we all are. People are quick to create cults around heroes, and then they are disappointed when their idol doesn't live up to their standards. It is sad, really. If you want to know who Snowden is, go to Moscow and buy him a cup of coffee; that's as close to the truth as you're ever gonna get.

In the end, the ideas Snowden stands for are important and valid regardless of who brought them to the fore.

EDIT: Ron Fournier made the same point slightly more eloquently, back in 2013: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/why-i-dont-...

Good points. I will definitely keep that in mind.

So if Snowden isn't the whistleblower, then who is the Snowden behind him?

My thought had to do more with if he had been operating under someone else's orders within the U.S. govt to intentionally play the role of a fabricated whistleblower. However, I can see how that might be a stretch based upon some of the compelling information released.

Sibel Edmonds seem to have some apprehension regarding Snowden's and his constiuents roles. Her stance is what triggered my doubts.

Some of her views on are not necessarily directed at Snowden himself, but they do raise some questions.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ekhmXG_41Bc

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