Laura Poitras Dedicates Citizen 4 Oscar To Edward Snowden With Glenn Greenwald By Her Side

[sabrina 1]

Notice the MSM's headline in the link. They are still obsessed with Snowden's girlfriend it seems:

Edward Snowden's Girlfriend Makes an Appearance

Mills joined director Laura Poitras, producer Dirk Wilutzky and journalist Glenn Greenwald onstage.

Poitras’ film documents her initial meeting in Hong Kong with Snowden.

Snowden was charged under the federal Espionage Act and is currently living in asylum in Russia. Because of the sensitive nature of the footage, Poitras made "Citizenfour" under intense secrecy and edited it in Germany.

"Thank you to Edward Snowden for his courage, and for the many other whistleblowers, and I share this with Glenn Greenwald and other journalists who are exposing truth," Poitras said when accepting the award.

Laura Poitras Dedicates 'Citizenfour' Best Documentary Win To Edward Snowden

"Citizenfour" won Best Documentary at the Oscars on Sunday night. Director Laura Poitras accepted the award with Glenn Greenwald by her side.

"The disclosures that Edward Snowden reveals don't only expose a threat to privacy but to democracy itself," she said "Thank you to Edward Snowden and to the many other whistleblowers."

The oppressive treatment of Whistle Blowers, while the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against the Constitution walk free, should now, if it wasn't always, be enough of an embarrassment to this country that the persecution of Whistle Blowers should stop.

What should happen is some serious investigations into the revelations by Chelsea Manning, eg, who WARNED her country about the Maliki Government in Iraq's torture and oppression of its population, which has now led to the creation of ISIS.

But there was no investigation into those revelations, the Whistle Blower was given 35 years and effectively silenced.

Chelsea Manning should have her ridiculous conviction vacated as soon as possible and restitution ought to be made to her for the persecution and torture she was subjected to.

Laura Poitras is an incredibly brave woman and when this chapter of history is finally written, she, and all those who, in the face of the threats to their own freedom, insisted on telling the truth.

[malaise]

1. Wait M$Greedia covered this - when??

No surprise at the crap coverage.

[sabrina 1]

2. I try to avoid watching it as much as possible, but from what I did see, other than last night

during the live coverage when it couldn't be avoided, I have not seen anything other than what dresses people were wearing, etc.

And as you can see from the headline in the link, which should have been about the Documentary, they chose to go with the previous propaganda re Snowden.

I'm surprised it wasn't about the boxes in his garage.

[malaise]

3. I have not seen anything other than what dresses people were wearing, etc.

You nailed it.

[randome]

4. She should have given it to Putin since he was the first to stand up for human rights.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]A 90% chance of rain means the same as a 10% chance:
It might rain and it might not.[/center][/font][hr]

[JaneyVee]

5. Not to change the subject, but...

1-I love Snowden's girlfriend's dress and want it. 2-Whether you agree with Snowden or not, Citizenfour is a great documentary and real life spy thriller all should check out. 3-Its on HBO tonight check your local listings.

[sabrina 1]

6. Yes, I like the dress too. All the more so because I think it was a statement to the Corporate Media

In its original coverage, rather than address the serious issue of the Government spying on Americans, they focused on trivia and tabloid gosspip, eg his 'ballerina girlfriend' who he supposedly 'ditched' so 'cruelly'.

Apparently he didn't, and her dress does look like a ballerina's.

I haven't seen it yet, and did hear it will be on HBO tonight.

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. Careful. These threads drive certain DUers absolutely crazy.

There was a classic flame-out last night.

[sabrina 1]

8. Well, one of the great things about the recognition of the truth tellers, Greenwald, Poitras, both

with the Pulitizer Prize they won and now an Oscar, is that it does tend to upset all the 'right' people!

[gratuitous]

15. Drive?

More like a short putt.

[suffragette]

9. Very highly rated at RottenTomatoes as well

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/citizenfour/

98% for all critics and 100% for top critics.
(Side note: how wonderful it would be to still have Roger Ebert with us since I'm sure he would have written an amazing review for this)

It was refreshing to hear some of the powerful statements made at last night's Oscars: thanks and acknowledgement to whistleblowers, a call for equal rights for women, the power and continuity of civil rights movement and compassion and more research for Alzheimer's.

[sabrina 1]

10. Those are amazing reviews, suffragette. 'Vital, urgent, and breathtaking'

.... It is brilliant because it captures an intimate moment of history that will reverberate through the ages; a moment that would not have been captured had not a connection been made.

It is definitely going down in history as a witness to this dark era in our democracy. If we survive the threats to this democracy, it will be required viewing as a warning to what can happen when we become apathetic about the freedom we claim to cherish so much yet apparently give away so willingly.

I too would love to have seen Ebert's review.

I agree the Oscars were worth watching last night. And to be honest, I was very surprised.

Thanks for the link, those reviews are amazing.

[suffragette]

11. I was surprised as well

And given the epic meltdown on another thread, so was at least one detractor.

I hope Netflix has the film soon.

[sabrina 1]

47. Lol, lots of melting down and there will be more. The film just one another big award

The British Academy has awarded its own version of the Oscar. See here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026269636

[suffragette]

58. Oh my!

That's sure to upset all the right folks!

Glad to see the recognition happening and look forward to seeing the film.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Bravo! Greenwald can put it next to the Pulitzer he won for Public Service.

Hopefully, he and Poitras will continue the good work.

[sabrina 1]

13. Laura Poitras apparently has another Whistle Blower she is talking to.

I don't have the details, but in one of the reviews of Citizen 4 apparently she showed some of what she had to Snowden. His reaction was shock and he apparently stated how 'dangerous' it was for this person to doing what s/he was doing.

The review of the Documentary called a seminal moment in the film, to see the most wanted Whistle Blower himself, with his mouth literally open at what he was seeing/hearing from this other Whistle Blower.

Not sure if she's making another documentary or if Greenwald is going to release more information.

Anyhow, I don't think she or he will stop doing what they are doing until someone stops them. Which is going to be a lot more difficult now that they are so public and so clearly respected.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Whistle Blowers are held in little esteem by our government and some DUers.

But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants is the liberty of appearing. Thomas Paine

[Blue_Tires]

18. Just the whistleblowers who defect to Russia after sharing files with the Chinese...

[sabrina 1]

21. It's the natural reaction of Whistle Blowers from countries where they are likely to be

persecuted, see Drake and Binney among others, tortured, see Manning, silenced, then thrown in jail for decades, for trying to expose crimes within government agencies, to seek political asylum elsewhere.

I'm sure the next patriotic Whistle Blowers will do the same thing now that we know our government doesn't WANT to know about crimes, see Drake and Binney again, they apparently have so much to hide they will silence the good people, while allowing the War Criminals and torturers to walk free.

Something is very wrong when those who do the right thing are arrested and destroyed, their careers and their reputations, while Criminals are treated as elder statesmen.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. Maybe Snowden and Manning could just say they're "patriots and under a lot of pressure".

Like the torturers in the CIA and the spooks at NSA.

[sabrina 1]

30. I laughed at your comment at first, but then thought how sad it is that torturers have become

patriots, while people like Drake, with a long, distinguished military career in service to his country, a person of great integrity and honor, did what any actual patriot would do when he saw the crimes being committed against the Constitution he swore to protect and defend, was persecuted for ten years and had his reputation and career destroyed.

And we have people here DEFENDING this!

[Doctor_J]

41. Yeah, and the Snowden haters should stop being so sanctimonious

Thanks I'd forgotten those quotes for the ages.

[sabrina 1]

19. Yes, the truth does come out. It's good to know how many actual patriots there are in

these agencies. Wrt to people here, airc, Whistle Blowers were HEROES just a few years ago. Eg, I remember the Left forums hugely supporting Drake and Binney. Lauding their 'courage' especially for going against their own President in order to get the truth to the American people.

It was inevitable that there would be more Whistle Blowers after Snowden. The persecution of all the others didn't stop Snowden, it just made him less trusting of being treated fairly even if he did what Drake and Binney did, 'go through the channels'.

Imagine if he had, he too would have been prosecuted, SILENCED and never would have been able to get the wide distribution of the crimes being committed that he has by seeking political asylum elsewhere.

I imagine from now on, our Whistle Blowers will be seeking political asylum considering it is no longer safe to speak out in this country.

[Doctor_J]

22. certain factions at du have adopted corporatist authoritarian personalities since 2009

The deep state played the populace like earl klugh plays the acoustic

[sabrina 1]

38. It's all about 'winning' for some, for others they probably actually do support

the corporate state.

[JDPriestly]

16. K&R. Waiting for the film to make it to Netflix.

Don't have HBO.

I would love to see the Oscar acceptance speech.

This was a great Oscars ceremony.

[Blue_Tires]

17. Yep...Our country is so fascist and mercilessly harsh on leakers of NatSec secrets

that we're giving them awards on primetime television?

[Fumesucker]

20. Tell it to Chelsea Manning

[LeftOfWest]

25. snap.

you are rocking these threads.

[Blue_Tires]

33. Not my fault Manning decided to stand on principle

Last edited Mon Feb 23, 2015, 09:28 PM - Edit history (1)

instead of defecting to Russia and shamelessly cash in on her files...

EDIT: I also see nothing "mercilessly harsh" about Manning's sentence when other countries would have given her a bullet through the dome...

[riderinthestorm]

34. Chelsea Manning was tortured in prison. Do you really want to go there?

Watching what happened to her was the most compelling reason of all for Snowden to run.

[Fumesucker]

35. Exactly, principles are for losers

In fact your post has inspired me to write an OP urging the abandonment of principles, all they do is get in the way of winning.

[sabrina 1]

44. I'll rec that if you post it! n/t

[sabrina 1]

39. Do you realize that you are saying Whistle Blowers ARE punished for 'standing on principle'

That is what WE are saying, I thought you disagreed with that, that we were NOT a country that persecutes Whistle Blowers, or you believed that all Whistle Blowers are criminals.

Good, now try to take it a little further. After a long line of Whistle Blowers ended up being persecuted, in the hope I guess, it would deter any more, stupid of them to think that, it became obvious that Whistle Blowers are not safe in this country anymore.

So, the next patriot to come along, Snowden, LEARNED for Manning's case, what happens when you do your patriotic duty and report crimes against the Constitution.

So, which was very predictable, history is full of Whistle Blowers seeking political asylum when their country persecuted them for 'standing on principle, the next one to come along, Snowden, did exactly that.

And there will be more, and more will find it necessary to do what Snowden did.

Until this country restores the rule of law and starts prosecuting the CRIMINALS instead of the WITNESSES.

[sabrina 1]

28. Yes it is when it comes to Whistle Blowers. Ask Binney, who is in this Documentary or Drake, who did

everything according to the book and was persecuted for ten years, who lost his distinguished career in service to this country, everything he owned, his reputation and the life he had worked so hard to build for so long, for himself and his family.

After watching the silencing of Whistle Blowers, a long line of them now, so we know there will be more, in fact there is another one with even more devastating information than Snowden's, it is most likely that from now on Whistle Blowers will be seeking political asylum before they are persecuted and locked away for decades like Chelsea Manning.

Manning tried to warn her country about the Maliki government and was told to shut up and be quiet.

Had she been listened to and an investigation conducted, ISIS might not be where they are today.

It's really something when Whistle Blowers exposing crimes against this country are the ones to land in jail, while the war criminals are protected and treated like Elder Statespersons.

[Blue_Tires]

32. Judging by the red carpet pics, I'd say the U.S. fucking sucks at squelching dissent...

I daresay "dissent" has become "mainstream" now...

[sabrina 1]

36. Yes, they do suck. When they arrested Greenwald's partner in London for NO REASON

they exposed themselves for the world to see. When they were caught PLANNING to Smear Greenwald in a contract BID, they were again exposed for what they were.

When they arrested and silenced every, single Whistle Blower over the past decade or more, they exposed themselves to the world for what they were.

And when ONE Whistle Blower in a long line, was smart enough to get the picture, they did everything they could to try to silence him too.

He alone has been able to stay out of the clutches of the government where he would, like Chelsea Manning rot in jail for decades.

And the reason why? Because you're right, they're methods of trying to silence whistle blowers were so blatant, so obvious, they thought they could control the 'message', but they didn't count on the PUBLIC.

Nor did they count on courageous journalists like Greenwald, they THOUGHT they had silenced journalists after they went after Wikileaks, and Laura Poitras, who managed to outwit them this time, by making the attacks on them so public, they have to bide their time before they try again to silence them.

And the support from an outraged public at what is going on, has helped enormously.

ONE whistle blower and a few journalists HAVE managed to out wit with them so far. With the support of every person who values the Constitution of the US.

But they won't give up. Snowden is on the top of their list right now, and will be until the Rule of Law is reestablished in this one time free country.

[snot]

57. Thx, Sabrina!

[grasswire]

52. dissent mainstream now?

Hallelujiah when that day arrives. That will be one grand day in America, because that's how America began. Dissent went mainstream. Tea in the harbor. BOOM! The beginning of the end of tyranny. Huzzah!!

Did no one ever teach you to question authority?

[sabrina 1]

55. Lol, could have fooled me and all those peaceful protesters in Ferguson and OWS.

But hey, what do we Liberals know? Always obsessing over illegal wars and massive crimes on Wall St.

I heard we are supposed to 'get over it'!

I'd love to compare today's DU to this time ten years ago to see who was obsessing over what back then.

Are we talking about situational ethics as a requirement for being involved in politics?

I thought we were sincere. Damn naive liberals!

[99th_Monkey]

24. This expanded exposure of Snowden's side of the story is freaking awesome

Hats off to the whole crew that made this possible.

[sabrina 1]

26. And that is exactly why Snowden sought Political Asylum outside the US before

identifying himself.

He saw how things are now in this country when it comes to Whistle Blowers. They are SILENCED before they can get the information out to the public, smeared, labeled and called Traitors.

Watching the long list of other Whistle Blowers, including Manning who warned about the Maliki Government, and when her superiors wouldn't listen, became a Whistle Blower also, she was tortured and worst of all SILENCED.

It was inevitable that once Democrats demonstrated they were not going to be any better at protecting Whistle Blowers, there WOULD be more, people actually care about this country's slide from democracy, and that they WOULD be forced to seek Political Asylum elsewhere.

We know there is another Whistle Blower talking to Laura Poitras and probably others, right now. I would expect that person to leave the country also and seek political asylum elsewhere.

It was brilliant of Snowden to leave before leaking the information. Had he done it the way Drake did it, he would have been silenced also.

Crimes are being committed against the Constitution of the US and our government is punishing the messengers and protecting the criminals. It is a disgrace.

[SamKnause]

27. I'm excited !!!

I get to watch it tonight on HBO.

[sabrina 1]

29. Do you know what time it is on HBO? We canceled it a while ago, but could reinstate it for a month

or watch it with friends.

[SamKnause]

31. It is on at 9:00 p.m. EST.

I hope you get to see it.

[sabrina 1]

37. Thank you, we are probably going to reinstate HBO. Well worth it I think from all the reviews!

I hope you enjoy it also.

[woo me with science]

40. Huge K&R

Thank you, whistleblowers and journalists.

Courage is contagious.

[sabrina 1]

42. They are the heroes, that's for sure, the Whistle Blowers and the Journalists.

It wouldn't be the first time in this country's history that a 'small group of determined citizens' over threw an Empire! I am beginning to have hope, again.

[woo me with science]

45. I like to think

of the potential whistleblowers and journalists watching this, and what may be around the corner.

I have to believe there are others with moral depth and courage on the inside, watching and waiting and planning for an opportunity.

[sabrina 1]

46. I am certain there are. Laura Poitras has stated that she is in contact with another Whistle Blower

according to one of the reviews I read today. When she showed Snowden some of what she has received so far, even he apparently was shocked. I believe there is a scene in the film wrt to her telling him this. His response was that 'this is very dangerous', for the Whistle Blower.

They really are very courageous and we owe them our support at the very least.

I may be wrong, but for a while now I have had a feeling that there are more than a few inside the government who are not at all happy with the way things are and are doing whatever they can to help the Whistle Blowers.

There is definitely a shift as the Oscars showed last night. Who would have expected the Academy to have the courage itself to do this? I though American Sniper would be the big winner.

Snowden is today's Daniel Elsberg.

All the nay sayers of today will be viewed in the same light historically, as those who called HIM a traitor.

[elias49]

43. I'll kick this with pleasure.

[NuttyFluffers]

48. kickity! good on her!

exposure matters. sunshine, disinfectant, and all that.

[sabrina 1]

49. AND, the film has also received the British Academy Award.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026269636

Making Snowden's decision to seek political asylum extremely smart.

Had he gone to jail, he would have been silenced. And he would have gone to jail, or been gagged while he awaited trial and the public would never have been informed of these crimes against our constitution.

[olddots]

50. A great surprise for last night's award show

The word hero gets tossed around too much in show bizz last night the real good guys not played by actors got mentioned .

[MrMickeysMom]

51. I'm glad I missed earlier discussion until now, as I've just finished seeing Citizen Four

I join others here in believing there are more than a few insiders. The last scene tonight was extremely interesting.

I am paraphrasing, but when Greenwald and Snowden in that last scene were talking in secrecy (Greenwald finishing sentences in writing his notes)…. I have to believe there are some things that will take this to a "whole new level".

I look forward to this discussion. I CAN NOT believe anyone viewing this documentary would come away with an attitude of distrust towards Snowden, Greenwald and ANYONE at this point who sheds more and more light.

Those who we elect to act in accordance to policy should not be in charge of the rules of that policy.

[sabrina 1]

53. I absolutely believe there are more insiders. For a while many have believed that. Eg, back during

Bush era, when all this spying began, Comey was standing in for Ashcroft who was in the hospital as AG.

While the public did not hear anything about what was going on at the DOJ at the time, a huge drama was unfolding as Cheney and Gonzales were trying to make their illegal policies legal. They were hounding Ashcroft apparently, who was very ill in the hospital to 'legalize' these policies by signing some documents.

Ashcroft, or his wife, don't remember all the details, called Comey begging him to help them as Cheney/Gonzales were on their way to the hospital with the documents.

Comey later described how he and another colleague, raced across town in the dark, to reach the hospital before Cheney/Gonzalez could get there.

They did, and when you read the testimony eventually presented before Congress, it reads like a spy novel.

We knew nothing of this when Comey was filmed making his resignation speech. I did not know him, but saw the coverage.

It's odd how you receive info. To me at the time, he was a Republican, so didn't think it was significant in any way.

However, he had tears in his eyes when he said something that struck me as odd for some reason: He thanked all those who had worked with him, some of whom were there, but then he said 'and to those of you who are no longer here, (tears) you know who you are, I thank you ....

I got the feeling it wasn't just a thank you to people who had left under normal circumstances.

It wasn't until much later that I came across an article in Vanity Fair, I believe. It was titled 'Palace Revolt'. It spoke about that day and about those DOJ employees who had left rather than participate in what was going on within the government.

They had given up an opportunity to enhance their careers in the only way they could think of to protest the undermining of our Constitution.

I assume most of them were Republican appointees. But it said to me that I was wrong to think only Dems cared about these things. And now I know just how wrong I was, about pretty much everything.

We did get the full story, or what was possible to reveal in public later during that compelling testimony.

It also told me there were a whole lot of people, even Ashcroft surprisingly who had a line they would not cross, even for their Party.

Sometimes the moment has to be right for all this to reach critical mass. Maybe Snowden was that catalyst, and Greenwald and Poitras refusing to be intimidated.

But whatever or whenever it happens, I believe it will. There is a battle for the soul of this country that has gone of for way too long, and our public figures seem to either be on the wrong side, or afraid to try to stop it without the support they will need.

I have a feeling also that many of them, and Ron Wyden is one of them, who are beginning to have hope that the tide may finally be changing. Wyden has long spoken out about these issues but he was often a lonely voice.

I haven't seen it yet, but will.

Do you know if HBO will repeat it as I could not get back on to HBO tonight to see the entire film?

[MrMickeysMom]

54. It's no doubt that HBO will be repeating this,sabrina...

Also, if you re-instate HBO, you also can get access to these things online. I don't do this often, but it's http://www.hbogo.com/#home/

When you see it, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about the last scene in that documentary.

[sabrina 1]

56. Thank you, then it may be worth reinstating. I really do want to see it and would love to

discuss it with you.

I missed it by what would have been about 15 minutes so decided to wait to see the whole thing.

THEY have the corporate media, maybe the good guys are finally finding a way to get past the propaganda and deliver the facts and what a way to do it, with an Oscar and British Academy Award!

[L0oniX]

59. K & R ...This should piss off the fascist authoritarian haters.