Posted in Big Government, National Security, Terrorism/War on Terror

Edward Snowden among finalists for top European human rights award

   October 4, 2013

 

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden is among three finalists for the European Union’s top human rights award, the Sakharov Prize.  European emoprog lawmakers ( also known as the Green caucus ) said Snowden deserves to win because ” he risked his freedom to protect us. ”

16 year old Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year, is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the prize. The winner will be announced next week.

 

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46 thoughts on “Edward Snowden among finalists for top European human rights award”

  2. Malala’s UN speech that no one could believe she’d be able to make, wearing Benazir Bhutto’s shawl, her speech still makes me cry:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRh_30C8l6Y

    EmoProg Lawmakers who nominated Edward Snowden should be deeply ashamed for doing so and should be shamed doing so. Edward Snowden will never be in the same class as Malala. It turns the stomach to even suggest that Snowden’s cowardice and demagoguery could even be mentioned in the same breath as Malala.

    For that matter, Steve, you should be ashamed for posting this. I shame you.

    1. PJ,

      It’s your Constitutionally-protected right to be ashamed of the Second and Fourth Amendments.

      “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

      http://bloggingblue.com/2013/09/05/about-that-gun-debate/

      “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

      Have you thought about re-locating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? Osama bin Laden’s relatives in the royal family don’t have to worry about a Bill of Rights.

    1. Not at all. I’m getting very realistic about this.

      You should be deeply ashamed of yourself. I shame you.

      1. PJ, while you’re hiding behind a handle, Steve’s out here under his real name.

        If you really stand behind your desire to shame folks, shouldn’t you have the guts to first come out from behind the pseudonym?

  4. JC,

    Out of respect for Malala I won’t succumb to your petty bickering on this post. But, I will address it in another. Perhaps you should prepare for it. Think on your replies to the questions I’ve posed to you previously that like Ryan and Boehner you have equivocally evaded.

    And as a matter of course, I won’t enable your irrationality.

    1. Shorter PJ,

      “Hiding behind my handle wasn’t enough, now I’m going to hide my handle behind someone else.”

      Your willingness to disrespect Malala is duly noted.

  5. SC,
    It is not clear whether or not you believe Snowden is worthy of a nomination let alone being selected as recipient of the Sakhorov Prize. ??
    IMO it is unfortunate that a “bad guy” gets glorified in this manner.
    The Euro’s can do whatever they want and they are nominating Snowden because it is a sensational story and sensational gets attention. Much like your post.
    I do not know if it is even possible to shame the shameless, or, worth the effort.
    I also did not realize that if one uses a “real” handle their words are weighted more heavily than, say, a handle such as PJ or independent guy. Perhaps that is in BB’s bylaws somewhere and I missed it.

    1. IG,

      Link below is from February 2013.

      “Super Bowl Is Single Largest Human Trafficking Incident In U.S.: Attorney General”

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/03/super-bowl-sex-trafficking_n_2607871.html

      Leaks from Snowden start in May 2013.

      Since the NSA has had all the emails and cell traffic (including their locations) FOR YEARS, why are these guys still in business?

      The NSA got Elliot Spitzer for paying sex workers. He was never charged with anything. They just leaked the info to the media to destroy his political career? Do you think that had anything to do with the fact that he was known as the “Sheriff of Wall Street?”

      http://gawker.com/5937761/why-was-philandering-senator-david-vitter-tweeting-to-this-young-lady-last-night

      1. John,

        And yet when the government’s extensive program to combat human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad (using the very methods you denounce) was brought to your attention and with demonstrable success here in this country, you refused to accept it. You went out of your way to debunk it – and pathetically so. Why is that, John? You’re pretty adept at recalling and linking to past posts. Perhaps you can find that one and link to it here for Independent Guy. You can give him the answer to the question you’re posing to him.

        1. pJ,

          If you think the HuffPo link is incorrect in anyway, get them to issue a retraction. That would make for a nice post.

          If you think you have “demonstrable success” of reduced human trafficking in the US, please by all means link to it. Can you find some “pre-Snowden” links? Anything after May 2013 means you have give Ed all the credit.

          At 11:34am, you said you wouldn’t “enable” my “irrationality.” Now you’re asking me to fetch links? 🙂

          pathetically yours

      2. I’ve made no comment on the HuffPost article. I’ve commented on it before, and I’m all for expanding every NSA program currently in existence to aggressively pursue human traffickers. You’ve posed a question to Independent Guy that you can easily answer. Why are these guys still in business? The answer is the government is putting them out of business with the very tools you would like the government to dispense with.

        I’m suggesting that you have the ability to give the answer to IG if you have the will. Do you not recall the post about the human trafficking bust? The one that you tried so hard to discredit? Remember, John? You asked me why I had to post to a primary government source rather than someone else’s predigested analysis? That’s the post that you could find for Independent Guy if you were willing. That post contains the answer to your question, and that answer: the government is putting sex traffickers out of business with NSA tools.

        I’m not asking you to fetch links. I’m deferring to your expertise when it comes to linking to back posts. You do so well at keeping my Repeal the 2nd Amendment posts fresh and alive by linking to them continually. So, I’m calling on your expertise in this area to find archived posts and link to them to suit your “purpose.” I’m pointing out there is a post that you could link to that answers the question you posed – if you’re willing to link to it. If it will serve your “purpose.” Or would you prefer not to link back to a previous post if you suspect that it won’t serve your “purpose?”

        I’m merely making a suggestion by drawing on your proven talents. I’m not going to link back to it myself. I’m suggesting you do. If you don’t one might have to regard your comment as disingenuous and a comment unworthy for a forum of honest discussion.

        1. PJ one only needs to look at this blog site and its collection of perpetual victims to realize why Wisconsin democrats are screwed in this state. The douchebaggery on display here by the principals would be comical if it wasn’t so sad. I’m leaving their love of guns and hatred of Obama to themselves. These “blue” bloggers are nothing but teabaggers in denial. Hope the best for you PJ.

          1. Mikey,

            yesterday I was an “emoprog.”

            Today, I’m a “teabagger.”

            Please, which is it?

            1. John,

              Answer: yesterday and today, both. Emos are the Left Wing counterparts to the Tea Party. I predict that now that y’all have emerged from insularity and figured out that the Emo phenomenon has been raging on despite your being oblivious to it you will (as you have been doing), embrace Emo, feel “empowered” by that embrace and pursue it with even more vigor.

              The Right Wing Tea Party has been destroying the Republican Party. No doubt the Emo phenomenon will do the same (or attempt to do the same) to the Left in their johnny-come-lately way. Mikey’s right. Wisconsin doesn’t stand a chance if Emos exert their intransigent will as their Right Wing counterparts have done.

              1. PJ, if Emos are the left wing’s counterpart to the Tea Party, how can I be both?

                I’m pro-choice. Doesn’t that exclude me from the Tea Party?

                Thanks in advance.

                1. John,

                  Of course not. As I’ve mentioned previously, I think you should try to reform the Republican Party. We need people like you shift Republicans to the Left rather shift Democrats to the right. Your overall views, attitudes, talents, and belligerence would fit in well with there. Just think, you could use all your adversarial energy and Tea Party persuasiveness in the most effective manner possible. Fight the good Fight on the Right, John. That’s where the Left needs you most.

                  And you’re quite welcome in retrospect.

                  1. PJ,

                    If the Dems don’t want me, they can return the thousands I’ve contributed over the years.

                    When should I expect the check?

          2. I’m afraid you’re exactly right, Mikey. Hoping the best for you too. I really appreciate your comments and always enjoy reading them.

            1. Steve,

              Could you re-post your link? All I see on my screen is a blank page.

              As to hardening the [expletive] up, you’ll have to specify what it is you are referring to. I don’t follow your gist.

              1. PJ, the link works fine for me.

                W/R/T Steve’s comment, which referencing aren’t you getting?

                1. “harden”
                2. “the”
                3. “expletive”
                4. “up”
                5. All of the above

              2. PJ,

                Occasionally I can’t see posted videos either. This one works on my screen and apparently Johns.

                My admonition to harden the fuck up was to you and Mikey lamenting the fate of Democrats in Wisconsin due to people like me, John, nonquixote, etc.

                1. Steve,

                  Hardening up to people like you? I don’t think it is possible for me to be hardened any further by the intransigence of your faction. I will, however, make an effort. Though, admittedly, I’m not sure I know what kind of effort I’m making. Perhaps a corresponding effort could be made? Perhaps your faction might benefit from a little softening?

  6. IG,

    In the same way that you’re not required to use your real name when commenting on Blogging Blue, I’m not required to have an opinion when I post something. I’ll have to defer to you on the ” Euro’s ” motives for nominating Snowden since you seem to have knowledge that I do not.

    1. SC,
      That’s fine. I was just trying to potentially better understand where the blogger was coming from.

  7. Here’s an interesting thought. Let’s say for the sake of argument that Snowden did (God forbid) win the Nobel Peace Prize. Would he accept it? In 1964 Jean Paul Sartre won the Nobel Prize for Literature and he refused to accept it on principled grounds – to resist the establishment.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2F9Wk3WtUU

    Prior to next week, I think someone should ask Snowden if he would accept the prize along with the follow-through question of why or why not?

  8. John,

    I’ve never been a member of the Democratic Party so I wouldn’t know how to help you. I should think, however, with your preeminent wisdom you’d find a way. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

    I see you’ve not found that archived post yet to link. Tell you what. Let’s work together. I’ll get you the link for the Democratic Party. That’ll free you up so you can get the link that demonstrates that the government is shutting down human trafficking with NSA tools.

    Here’s the link to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin: http://www.democrats.org
    http://wisdems.org/

    On the WisDem site, hit the “About” tab and scroll down to “Contact.” Click on that. In the event you can’t make it there on your own, here’s an email address that might help: info@wisdems.org or click on the link just below it that says “Administrative Committee.” On that page you’ll find a slew of useful email addresses to choose from.

    And here’s the link to the DNC:
    But you don’t even have to go to the site. Just google “Democratic National Committee.” When you see it there on your screen, hit the link that says “Contact Us” – that will take you to a page with a mailing address, a main phone number, a phone number for questions about contributions (that’s probably the one you want) and an email form if you choose that route instead.

    1. Hmmm, you say you’re not a member of the Democratic party.

      Ok, so who was the “we” in your 4:41: “…We need people like you shift Republicans to the Left rather shift Democrats to the right….”

      Are you a registered Republican or did you have a mouse in your pocket?

      1. “We” is We the People and “We” is the Left in Wisconsin. We don’t have time for debilitating shenanigans from Tea Partyers on the Right shutting down our democracy, setting us back domestically and globally for who knows how long nor do We the People in Wisconsin have time for Emo-Tea Partyers of the Left to drag us down toxic depths of senseless illogic and mindless derision which does nothing more than waste time and erode our very core. However, the Republican Party does have time for that. And they encourage it. Your talents would be well suited there and you’ll fit in seamlessly.

        I’m not a registered Republican. But, I’ll tell you what. Let’s work together. I’ll find you some contact links for the Republican Party so you can engage with them. That’ll free you up to find that link that you posted on previously – the one that demonstrates that the government is using NSA tools to shut down human trafficking.

        Hope the Dem links helped.

              1. I’ve commented on my opposition to Abele, but I don’t focus my posts on local politics because Zach, Ed, and Shaina cover it better than I ever could. All possess a depth of knowledge greater than mine and are definitely the more qualified to write on local issues.

                1. PJ, what a sudden outburst of humility.

                  What about a rip-snorting post about abortion rights, or are you less qualified on that too?

                  1. I actually have quite a few outbursts of humility. You’ve simply chosen to ignore them. I’m not so humble in general. I don’t pretend to be.

                    A rip-snorting post about abortion rights? That would be an option.

                    1. PJ, now that you have confessed such a lack of confidence w/r/t local politics, how can I trust the counsel contained in your 5:47?

                      Have you ever been a registered member of any political party?

  9. You don’t have to trust my opinion with anything for any reason. You, like everyone here rely on your own evaluative skills. What you’re doing now is more demonstrative of your credibility than mine.

    John, you’re getting so creepy. For someone so adamant about privacy you are quite anxious to invade mine. Combined with your desire for me to relinquish my privacy rights to you, you’re really getting too creepy. I’ll gladly answer your next question, but do explain why you asked me if I have ever been registered as a member of any political party after I’ve told you I’m not a registered Republican and I’ve never been a member of the Democratic Party.

    Ooh. I’m beginning to squirm.

    So, next question please. Peel away what you can.

    1. PJ, here’s a link to all your Blogging Blue posts.

      http://bloggingblue.com/author/pj/

      If you’re the deeply committed and “qualified,” lefty that you claim, shouldn’t it show?

      W/R/T NATIONAL issues in the last 6 months,

      1. How many have even mentioned “chaining the CPI?”

      2. How many have even mentioned abortion rights?

      3. How many have even mentioned collective bargaining?

      4. How many have even mentioned raising the minimum wage?

      5. How many have even mentioned income inequality?

      6. How many have even mentioned Wall Street?

      7. How many advocated FOR withdrawing U.S. combat forces from around the world?

      8. How many have even mentioned immigration reform?

      9. How many have even mentioned universal background checks?

      10. How many have even mentioned “people of color?”

      11. How many have even mentioned Walmart and other corporate villains?

      12. How many have even mentioned unemployment?

      13. How many have even mentioned higher taxes on the 1%?

      So I can confirm the numbers you claim, please provide a link to each post.

      1. Well, thank you for the link to all my posts. Now. You’ve without question demonstrated that you can link back to posts to serve your purpose. I don’t want to interrupt your flow too much so you can practice your Socratic Method, but did you happen to find the link that demonstrates the government uses NSA tools to combat human trafficking? Do you remember that post?

        Given your 13 queries aren’t intended for honest or constructive discourse, I’ll have you assert what you think the answers to those questions mean. As a side note, though, I am working on a post about how the shutdown could disproportionately impact people of color.

        And, have you put any thought into answering the questions I’ve repeatedly posed to you regarding the shutdown and tactics? I’ll pose them to you again, so you can think on your replies should you choose to grace us all with a reply. I won’t spoonfeed you with the link; if you need to re-familiarize yourself with the thread, it was only from a few days ago – it’s the link about Paul Ryan’s conspicuous absence in the Shutdown talk. I’ve given you that reference since then, and since then I’ve posed a number of questions to you. I will pose them again:

        Do you know why stonewalling works? What I’m looking for here is not a yes or no reply, but a contextualized articulation of why stonewalling works.

        Do you know why extortion works? What I’m looking for here is not a yes or no reply, but a contextualized articulation of why extortion works.

        Do you think Dems should adopt the ruthless and unconscionable tactics of the GOP? Are these tactics acceptable to you?
        Here, I am looking for a simple yes or no, contextualized of course, but if you prefer to elaborate; feel free to do so. Your elaboration will add depth to the discussion.

  10. You two have once again hijacked the comments section at BB (and gone off topic). Challenging discourse and discussion is one thing, but this seems to have become personal. Goodness. My eyes roll back in my head trying to wade through it all. I’m going to sign off BB for a while until things chill out.

    Peace. Cheers. Have a great weekend. Go Pack go!

    1. Morning CJ McD

      Agree with hijacking the comment thread and heading off topic, BUT, everything here is instructive in its own way. Self-employment determines my presence or absence to/from BB, a few weeks ago, when I was able to follow along and comment, I was soundly written off and immediately designated leading tin-foil hat model of the year and treated with the PJ’s personalized scorn, subjected to individual ridicule and his debate this, but only on his terms or you are invalid, irrational, uneducated and worthless to anyone here, simply because he pronounced it, who nobody (in his mind) need question. Then we get this crap from him asking if we really want to behave like the T-partiers and use their tactics in our politics.

      Then he resurrected that zombie emoprog from a five-year-long grave, apparently figuring he needed to be more personally abusive and intentionally demeaning toward those who questioned him in any manner and first applied it to me.

      Here, immediately above, we see a new demand for, “contextualized articulation,” in order to “qualify” to be able to be, “worthy,” of a response. Same old, same old, obfuscation and beggin’ the question when his beliefs are threatened or his schtick is exposed.

      I had the tall garden boots on when I came in this morning, thank goodness. ;~)

    2. Thank you for that perspective, CJ. You are quite right. And therein lies the hazards of irrationalism, stonewalling, propagandistic, and ruthless tactics. This exchange (like so many) is entirely unnecessary and corrosive and leads to disengagement on the part of readers and commenters. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. It takes a commitment to rational discussion that is expansive in a way to stimulate thought. And that takes the blog community itself to do what you are doing now. Step in and speak out.

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