U.S. intelligence director calls on Snowden to return NSA documents

[jsr]

Source: Washington Post

The head of the U.S. intelligence community on Wednesday called on Edward Snowden, a former contractor with the National Security Agency, to return the massive trove of documents in his possession.

Speaking before a Senate panel, James R. Clapper Jr., delivered blistering criticism of Snowden, describing him as a hypocrite who has severely harmed national security.

Clapper said the materials exposed by Snowden have bolstered adversaries, caused allies to cut off cooperation with the United States, triggered changes in communications by terrorist networks and put lives of intelligence operatives and assets at risk.

“Snowden claims that he has won and his mission is accomplished,” Clapper said. “If that is true,” he added, Snowden should return the documents that have not been released.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-intelligence-director-calls-on-snowden-to-return-nsa-documents/2014/01/29/7bd9c9ee-88f7-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_story.html

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[another_liberal]

1. If any allies have "Cut off cooperation" . . .

The fact is, Mr. Clapper, that if any of our allies have "Cut off cooperation" with us, it is not Snowden's fault. It is the fault of you and others like you, Mr. Clapper, who approved the NSA spying on those allies.

[Indi Guy]

10. ...a salient point.

Also, the NSA is so overwhelmed by the massive volume of data it's trying to process that the agency is handcuffed where it comes to ferreting out the real threats in real-time.

Thank you Mr. Snowden for making us safer by exposing the agency's sluggish ability to deal with terrorists.

[Swede Atlanta]

2. Up yours Clapper......

the evidence of your illegal treasonous actions is now open for the entire world to see.

He isn't giving up anything. I would almost certainly expect that even if he negotiated some kind of a plea deal that would allow him to return to the U.S., copies of all of the information would be secreted away where they could be used as leverage should the U.S. government (known to love them some torture and renege on their commitments) not fulfill their end of the agreement.

[DesMoinesDem]

3. How is this perjurer not in prison? Clapper is a liar and everyone knows it.

[Wilms]

4. He's lying.

That's what he does.

[Alamuti Lotus]

5. Clapper can choke on his rage

It is petty, to be sure, but one of the top perks of this "scandal" is watching chumps like Clapper get so terribly flustered over their naughty deeds and dreams dragged into the light.

[truth2power]

6. Hey, Crapper...er, I mean Clapper...

[davidthegnome]

7. You were right the first time

[Phlem]

8. wow. That bunch can Fuck off.

-p

[frwrfpos]

9. clapper lied in front of congress

Clapper should be charged with perjury and the nsa can go f itself with illegally spying on everyone and anyone.

The constitution is a joke to these right wing clowns

[JDPriestly]

11. Clapper should take courses on the Constitution and on criminal procedure

And then, he should stop lying to Congress.

[Ezlivin]

12. Why doesn't he simply use the vaunted NSA to find them himself?

Oh, wait, the NSA doesn't really solve crimes, does it?

[bullwinkle428]

13. Charles Pierce wastes no time in tearing Clapper the new one he

so richly deserves!

"There certainly is a lot of goddamn gall going around Washington these days.

Snowden claims that he's won and that his mission has accomplished," Clapper said during his opening statement. "If that is so, I call on him and his accomplices to facilitate the return of the remaining stolen documents."

There are a lot of things Clapper can do. "Retire and raise begonias" is one of the more polite suggestions. But one thing he can't do is loosely accuse "accomplices" of crimes because, I mean, Jesus, just wow.

"The least untruthful manner."

You wouldn't buy that from your toddler."


Read more: Daily Politics Blog - Charles P. Pierce - Political Blogging - Esquire
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[blackspade]

14. Clapper is an idiot.

It's been reported widely that Snowden gave all of the documents in his possession to Greenwald and Poitras who have since distributed then to the Guardian and Washington Post.

How is he going to return what he doesn't have? And what would that do anyway if others already have them?

This is just sloppy and stupid reporting that doesn't answer basic questions of the PTB.

[bemildred]

15. Yep. nt

[jmowreader]

20. That's what I was wondering

Forty years ago when spies had to photocopy the things they stole, like James Hall did, a spy could have returned the documents he stole. In today's digital era? Now that Greenwald and Poitras, the Guardian, the Washington Post, Der Spiegel if I remember correctly, and half the Internet, have those files (not to mention Snowden almost certainly has a set of his own), and none of those people are likely to give them back, there's no damn way they'd get everything back.

I realize Clapper's an imagery-intelligence guy, but come on.

[Poll_Blind]

16. LOL. Clapper....the LIAR. Rich! nt

PB

[on point]

17. Instead how about the NSA come clean on what they are doing

And stop right away anything that violates the constitution

[1000words]

18. Snowden is laughing at you, Mr. Clapper.

He's not the only one.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

19. In a Senate subcommittee? Under oath? Named Clapper? Disregard in that case. He's a liar.

Once you've established yourself as a liar, you're never to be trusted again.