Ex CIA analyst: ...how far Official Washington has strayed from civilized behavior,

[No Elephants]

Puttin’ the Pressure on Putin
July 28, 2013

Exclusive: The Obama administration continues to compound the diplomatic mess around former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. The latest blunder was announcing that the U.S. wouldn’t torture or execute Snowden, a reminder to the world how far Official Washington has strayed from civilized behavior, notes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern.

By Ray McGovern

The main question now on the fate of truth-teller Edward Snowden is whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will see any benefit in helping stop the United States from further embarrassing itself as it prances around the globe acting like a “pitiful, helpless giant.” That image was coined by President Richard Nixon, who insisted that the giant of America would merit those adjectives if it did not prevail in South Vietnam.

It is no secret that Putin is chuckling as Attorney General Eric Holder and other empty-shirts-cum-corporate-law-office-silk-ties – assisted ably by White House spokesperson Jay Carney – proceed willy-nilly to transform the Snowden case from a red-faced diplomatic embarrassment for the United States into a huge geopolitical black eye before the rest of the world.

Reminding the planet how out of step the United States has been from most of the civilized world, Holder offered a written promise to the Russians on July 9 (and released on Friday) that Snowden would neither be tortured nor put to death for disclosing secrets about how the National Security Agency has been spying on Americans and pretty much everybody else on Earth.

Holder assured the Russian Justice Minister that the U.S. “would not seek the death penalty for Mr. Snowden should he return to the United States.” Holder also saw fit to reassure his Russian counterpart that, “Mr. Snowden will not be tortured. Torture is unlawful in the United States.” Wow, that’s a relief!

http://consortiumnews.com/2013/07/28/puttin-the-pressure-on-putin/

All together now, everybody sing out:

Artist: Lee Greenwood
Song: Proud To Be An American

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

[Enthusiast]

1. Funny.

I would love it if Snowden could make his way safely to South America.

[No Elephants]

2. I don't see how, if the US asks other nations to bring down the plane of a President,

returning to his own nation from an official mission because it thinks Snowden may be aboard.

I mean, that is violating international comity and diplomatic immunity. It's an outrage that only the most powerful nation in the world would dare.

If Putin would really rather that Snowden leave Russia so as not to hurt Putin's "partner," the US, Putin may have to actively help him get somewhere else.

Not to mention that an assassin could take Snowden out at any time, assuming he ever walks about outside the airport.

Snowden and his father have both alluded to the possibility that the rest of Snowden's life may be very brief.

[Enthusiast]

3. It's sad that

so many citizens now distrust the US government. I believe mistrust is at an all time high.

It's also telling that members of congress and the rest don't feel shame that their approval ratings are in the toilet. Government by and for the corporation will do that.

[No Elephants]

4. Funny you should mention trust and shame.

Readder's Digest did a survey on the subject of who Americans trust most.They came up with 100 names.

The results are inexplicable, but I did not bother to try to learn the methodology.

However, I think it noteworthy that the top five are Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Denzel Washington, Meryl Street and Maya Angelou. T, he most trusted people in America, apparently, are people who are valued for their ability to deceive us into thinking they are someone else.

I got to 12 before I came to a news reporter (Robin Roberts). To 18 before I came to someone even indirectly in politics (Michelle Obama--but then Americans have always liked First Ladies). Madeleine Albright was in the top 25, but she never ran for office and my guess is that most people in the US don't have any idea of the specifics of her accomplishments. I think I got close to 30 before I hit my first elected official--Carter.

As far as shame, John Oliver had a guest on the Daily Show last night who had written a book about how bad our federal elected officials are. I don't remember his name or the name of his book. However, I do remember his saying that our public (*snort*) servants have no shame and very little, if any, self awareness.

[Enthusiast]

5. This man seemed to have recognized the danger many years ago.

His predictions have come true. FWIW I have read several of his books and find them to be captivating.

http://youtu.be/1ePNGa0m3XA

[No Elephants]

6. I read Brave New World in school 1984 as well. I think we're closer to 1984.

Funny, that. In 1948, 1984 was Orwell's take on what Communist Russia, our arch enemy in 1948, would become in time. And though 1984 does not make that statement, it was implicit then that western nations were supposed to be the polar opposite of, and antidote to, Communist Russia.

Ironic how things turn out, isn't it?

BTW, the news that Tom Hanks is the most trusted by Americans comes out at about the same time as the news that it is now legal for the U.S. to be propagandizing Americans. I expect to see a lot more of him and others in the top 25-30 of that list. Because our trust is also a marketable commodity, like our addresses.