Nobility Disadvantaged
"WikiLeaks -- if you look at past history -- their focus isn't necessarily the Constitution of the United States. It's simply to release as much information as possible. So that alone is a concern for me."Actually the unauthorized wholesale release of classified, heavily secretive state files meant for no eyes but those elite at the very height of executive and security office, does not quite honour the Constitution of the United States, any casual onlooker could surmise. It reflects the determination of someone who as a citizen of the United States of America, might wish to bring the outrage of the international community down on the heads of those for whom this is legitimate state business. But in the interests of furthering his own agenda, has committed that most egregious of national offences.
"I am concerned about those who surround him."
Lonnie Snowden, United States
Becoming a traitor to the nation for a cause he knows will be applauded by others sharing a like mindset. For they will choose to believe that his intentions were purely honourable, not the least bit tainted by a wish to bring public attention and no little acclaim for his courage, to his mission and himself. The selfless nobility of Edward Snowden's release of National Security Agency surveillance program data certainly has its hardcore defenders.
And this, with a left-leaning administration, a Democratic, Nobel-Peace-Prize-winning biracial president of the United States of America of whom much was anticipated and who has gone out of his way, despite constraints, to ensure that his core constituents have not been given reason to regret their trust in him. Edward Snowden was so convinced that his country was guilty of official acts of malfeasance that he was prepared to be labelled a traitor.
He set out to present himself as someone in whom trust could be placed, in finding employment as an analyst at Booz Allen, a major U.S. defence contractor. Where he handily availed himself of a treasure trove -- or a damning trove of evidence of official skulduggery, preferably -- of top secret data, guaranteed to send shock waves of disbelieving back-stabbing through the hallowed halls of the State Department, Congress, the U.S. Senate, the Pentagon, the FBI and the CIA; in short the entire governing and security apparatus of the country.
Lonnie Snowden is upset that the professionals in the business of uncovering and flaunting government secrets in an effort to cause consternation, confusion, resentment, anger and destabilization as widely as possible, have taken to protecting the personal interests of his boy, as a valuable addition to their own business of contesting governments and displaying their foibles to a wide audience of questioners.
Edward Snowden has had more than his allotted 15 minutes of blame, shame and fame. He's become a veritable globe-trotter, offering his notoriety to those nations for whom schadenfreude is a transitory shared emotion, but valuable whenever it occurs to their gain, on occasion. "He has betrayed his government, but I don't believe that he's betrayed the people of the United States", commented father Snowden, hopefully.
Well, actually, this is a president and a government that was as good as acclaimed not only by the majority that voted it democratically into power, but the onlooking international community as well. The current administration forming the government of the United States of America has hugely popular appeal not least for its humanity, for its promise to govern more carefully, and wisely than its predecessors. But if there is one constant in international relations, it is that each spies on the other.
And while its political enemies abroad feel temporarily smug at the embarrassment and irritation brought down upon the Obama administration, its friends and allies are feeling somewhat less than appreciated as collegial members of the same political club; their loyalty snubbed, as it were. As though they themselves do not engage in similar undercover activities. Father Snowden is angling for guarantees of judicial fairness for his son should he opt to return to the U.S.
His own loyalty to his country is unquestioned as a retired officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who loves his country and believes he knows the tenor of the America he served. The public will forgive. His son should not necessarily be charged under the Espionage Act where a conviction would see him facing life in prison. He may be correct about the public attitude, but this administration by the people and for the people feels rather put out.
A casual onlooker might casually remark to Lonnie Snowden that he shouldn't bet the house on his own reaction to the so-minor misdemeanor of his son.
Labels: Crime, Crisis Politics, Defence, Human Relations, Justice, Security, United States
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, June 30, 2013
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