Econintersect: Glenn Greenwald, the columnist with The Guardian, who broke the Edward Snowden 
story, says that the NSA leaker is a persecuted whistleblower. He says that Snowden has specifically revealed violations of FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) court official opinions that actions taken by the NSA (National Security Agency) were illegal and unconstitutional. By law, FISA rulings and opinion are sealed and not available to the public.
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R, MI) says that Snowden’s actions have revealed our intelligence methods to our enemies. Snowden should have followed normal whistleblower channels, according to Rogers.
Many other political figures who have spoken against Snowden’s action include Senators Charles Schumer (D,NY), Diane Feinstein (D, NY) and Lindsey Graham (R,SC). Sen. Rand Paul (R, KY) mitigated his criticism of Snowden with criticism of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, whom, Paul said, had lied to Congress about the NSA surveillance. Hree is a quote from Paul’s interview on CNN‘s State of the Union:
“Mr. Snowden told the truth in the name of privacy. So, I think there will be a judgment, because both of them broke the law, and history will have to determine.”
The following is Sunday Morning’s (23 June 2013) Meet the Press discussion of the Snowden case, with the Glenn Greenwald segment leading:
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The New York Times article referred to by Greenwald can be read here.
Following is the segment of Face the Nation with Rep. Mike Rogers, Sen. Tom Colburn (R, OK), Sen. Dick Durbin (D, IL) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D,CA):
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The entire Meet the Press discussion about Snowden is available here.
Sources:
- As leaker Snowden flees, defender and critics clash over national security risks (Tom Curry, NBC Politics, 23 June 2013)
- 1: Snowden, national security and immigration reform (Meet the Press, 23 June 2013)
- Snowden Said to Plan Asylum in ‘Democratic Country’ (Keith Bradsher and Ellen Barry, The New York Times, 23 June 2013)
