The NSA Spies and Democrats Look Away

[xchrom]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/07/09-1


Activists demonstrate on July 4 in front of the German Chancellery in Berlin in support of granting Edward Snowden asylum.

During the weeks of debates triggered by Edward Snowden and his release of information about a classified National Security Agency spying program, the story has moved further and further from the actual surveillance and centered instead on the international cat-and-mouse game to find him.

What has been remarkable is how Democrats have expressed little opposition to the surveillance program. Many Democrats have simply remained silent as these revelations have emerged while others, like California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, have openly defended the program.

President Barack Obama, while initially acknowledging the need for a proper balance between civil liberties and national security, has increasingly focused on defending the government and targeting Snowden. When former President George W. Bush offered comments that echoed much of the president's sentiment, some of his supporters couldn't help but cringe as these two one-time adversaries came together on the issue of counterterrorism.

The loss of a Democratic opposition to the framework of counterterrorism policy has been one of the most notable aspects of Obama's term in office. Although Obama ran in 2008 as a candidate who would change the way the government conducted its business and restore a better balance with civil liberties, it has not turned out that way. Obama has barely dismantled any of the Bush programs, and sometimes even expanded their reach in the use of drone strikes and the targeting of American citizens. He has also undertaken an aggressive posture toward those who criticize his program.

Julian E. Zelizer

http://www.princeton.edu/~jzelizer/

his bio at the link

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. It is puzzling that with the revelations that the NSA spied on Obama

when he ran for Senator, that Democrats would not be a bit more curious as to what is happening with this data. Why in the world would they feel comfortable with a company like Booz Hamilton which is owned by the Carlyle Group having such awesome powers.

[xchrom]

2. it seems to a state within the democratic party that a lot of us are a little confused by.nt

[leftstreet]

3. DURec

[frylock]

4. knr

[Life Long Dem]

5. Wonder why

[Octafish]

6. Fear of sudden death (or electoral loss, if you're not into reading into things) does that.

Look what happens to Democrats who go against the "flow." Not exactly a good track record going back to November 22, 1963.