Is Edward Snowden a Hero? A Debate With Journalist Chris Hedges & Law Scholar Geoffrey Stone

www.democracynow.org - Edward Snowden's decision to leak a trove of secret documents outlining the NSA's surveillance program has elicited a range of reactions. Among his detractors, he's been called "a grandiose narcissist who deserves to be in prison," (Jeffrey Toobin of the New Yorker), who's committed "an act of treason," (Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Senate intelligence committee). To supporters, Snowden is a hero for showing that "our very humanity [is] being compromised by the blind implementation of machines in the name of making us safe," (author Douglas Rushkoff), one whom President Obama should "thank and offer him a job as a White House technology advisor," (American Conservative editor Scott McConnell). We host a debate with two guests: Chris Hedges, a senior fellow at the Nation Institute and former Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the New York Times; and Geoffrey Stone, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School. Stone served as an informal advisor to President Obama in 2008, years after hiring him to teach constitutional law.
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[@bjarnesegaard5701]

Snowden and Assange are heroes.

[@lynnebarnes6849]

Bjarne Soegaard, and Chelsea Manning.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Agree. Both should be pardoned.

[@barracuda7018]

@@r.williamcomm7693 Snowden belongs to Fed penitentiary in which Aldridge Aimes resides...

[@nigellee9824]

Can’t say weather Snowden is, but Assange, is definitely not….

[@rodriguerra3639]

@@nigellee9824 why?

[@alwayslernin4400]

My respect for hedges only deepens every time I listen to him.

[@destroyingangel14]

Yeah sure .... Soon as you peel back the pandering wrapper .... the on going incessant double- message Snowden puts over ... ( Hide his script writers betttr )

[@alwayslernin4400]

@@destroyingangel14 well that's about as vague as you can get

[@RaqueLauren]

Watching Chris Hedges crush people with his superior intellect always makes my day.

[@tommyhorne3303]

Is it a superior intellect or the "TRUTH" that will crush us!! If we don't walk in "TRUTH"???

[@petestanton1945]

Truth b told, 9/11 was an inside job

[@GladysAlicea]

I've nothing but the deepest respect for this man. Chris Hedges rallied against the Iraq War and, for that, he was fired by the NYT. That says it all.

[@INYB]

I have never heard him say something I don't agree with.

[@fenwayify]

He hardly "crushed" Stone. Stone flatly dismissed Hedge's position on purely legal grounds. In my view, the real concern is the ability to question or challenge our government at all. Stone seems to accept MLK's actions as justified because segregation was such a fundamentally unjust policy. Of course that is looking at MLK's actions more than a half century after the fact. Is mass wire-tapping without a warrant any less threatening to justice? Stone holds to the essential necessity of it in the name of national security, but I'm not sure it was or has made us more secure. What I see threatening us the most is endless war. I wonder what Mr. Stone's opinions on that are?

[@jaimesandoval1988]

Issue is simple: government makes a law that makes it illigal for anyone to disclose the fact that the gov. is violating the US Constitution. Wow!

[@stenyethanmathews945]

Jaime Sandoval well said!

[@suzanadee8252]

Thats a closed circle. To reveal it you have to violate the law. Otherwise nothing ever changes. People are risking their lives and well being for certain principles that the rest of us take for granted such as accountability, morality, freedom of the press, and personal privacy. We dont have any legal mechanisms to protect people from the wrath of the governmants so called legality.

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

They do this all the time and all the sheeple simply blindly submit, and obey. Truth is nothing is illegal or legal, laws are social constructs, designed by the elites to dominate the masses. The same ones who make these laws are typically above or beyond them in most regards. A form of hypocritical immunity to what they expect everyone to abide by except themselves. If they can't enforce a social construct or impose the will of such on them, then its a delusion. This is a delusion of power if all the masses simply refused to obey the laws. Then all the laws would be as worthless as the debt notes called fiat currency. Power that requires you to compel others via the usage of violence or delusions isn't power. Nothing more than social conditioning, and dogmatic narrow minded dribble.

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

Government has many laws that even punish people for committing no crimes nor doing any wrongs. Such as involuntary commitment just by the word of others. Narcissists can and do easily have flying monkey doctor pals among others commit you. The Rosenhan experiment among other legitimate evidence depicts what happens when your falsely imprisoned. In what is the equivalent of a modern concentration camp. For various forms of judicial fiat have continued to erode at individuals constitutional rights. As a stark warning to all what they can do to one of us they can and WILL do to ANY and ALL of us. Those who ignore the plights of others by allowing injustices to be carried out. Invite calamity to their very doorsteps inevitably. Where you undergo forced torture and label slapping. Which takes out of context both normal human behavior as well as reactions someone might have to this. This referencing having people forcefully drag you off to a concentration camp at gun point. Subject you to extreme sleep deprivation. Steal your blood strip you naked in front of camera's. Tie you to a tiny cot deliberately starve you. Deliberately deny you water as well while their at it. Not provide any due process or a trumped up hearing. In which you are unable to attend by design due to them taking your blood every hour on the hour. Not permitted to shower or readily engage in routine hygiene practices. Place you potentially infectious disease rooms. Steal your personal property permanently slap absolutely wrong labels on you. While forcefully shoving toxic chemicals designed for profit and to rot your brain or worse down your throat. While utilizing you as a human guinea pig to conduct various criminally against humanity experimentation upon. Such as the slicing of your tongue down the middle. To cite just one of the more mild ones which can occur. As well as among seemingly countless other atrocities to befall such individuals. You might be raped by actually insane individuals unlike yourself or molested. The sheer traumatization from these affronts will scar you irreparably. They will then attempt to in all likelihood charge you for this false imprisonment. Accompanied by this unmistakable criminal act of torture to boot. Now you will lose your 2nd amendment for life. For I say again committing no crimes violent nor otherwise. For no wrong doings whatsoever not so much as a parking ticket for some individuals. You will be stigmatized for life to make matters worse. Be unable to ever defend yourself or feel safe. Good luck attempting to live somewhere rural ever again. With wild animals and the like. No less the risk for home invasions or other nefarious criminals targeting you. On the grounds of being barred from basic self defense capacity for life. Even IF you can somehow get these expunged from your records the FBI will retain them indefinitely. Despite it's all blatantly BEYOND unconstitutional. Even for the individuals who genuinely might fit the clinical definition "insane". Which by the way their is no unilateral definitive definition to begin with for "mental illness" either. Psychoanalytical process involves someone "diagnosing you" based on their questionable professional opinion. Based off exclusively whatever they have to work with. Which is often times more than not taken completely out of context. Even outside such extreme scenario's as the above aforementioned example. Many abusive parents or other individuals who send their children to psychologists or psychiatrists are pushing a narrative. Not all but they do exist in disturbingly high quantity nevertheless. Thus much of what these clinicians have to base their opinions as it were off. Are part of a narrative or agenda which both benefits the Pharmaceutical industrial complex. As well as the abusive parents or other persons subjecting innocent children to such insidious falsities. Even the actually mentally ill which is highly speculative perception based at best. Translation purely opinion with little much else to reinforce it IF anything. Being painted as boogeymen for gun violence. Which is a complete 180 from what has been reported on for well over 2 centuries by professionals. Even advertisements for schizophrenic women making great submissive house wives was a thing in the 1950s. To date of the data ONLY a paltry 3-4% of mentally ill people have ever perpetrated shootings of any sort nationwide. That's the percentage of shootings in which mentally ill individuals were involved as the active shooters. The reality is people with a history of gun violence or physical altercations involving aggressiveness. Such as repeat felony persons are among the most prominent. Drug addicts or excessive alcoholics consist of the overwhelming majority of gun violence related crimes. Many people throughout history kill and killed. These people such as the majority of mass shooters spanning the most recent decades. Following the uptick in gun violence are not mentally ill or exhibit no mental illness. They are filleted in the main stream media in order to stick to the narrative of boogeymen. The media itself attempts to automatically psychoanalyze these violent individuals. As do government officials despite the lack of evidence presented henceforth. Many of the ones whom are apprehended following such tragic incidents. Are determined to be in complete control of their mental faculties. Do not appear nor have they appeared previously to display any form of mental illnesses on average. This not only further stigmatizes the concept of mental illnesses. It further victimizes people who are already preyed upon. For just that being mentally impaired in some fashion or another. Who statistical studies conducted by professionals have shown time and time again. Are often more so than not the victims of violent and non violent crimes a like at a much higher rate. That police often shoot these individuals at further yet alarming rates. Without them being violent at all but more so due exclusively to misunderstandings. Painting a group of individuals with handicaps of some sort as dangerous and violent is dubiously overgeneralized. Not to mention those individuals who are misdiagnosed or wrongfully labeled. The even less fortunate ones who find themselves wrongfully involuntarily committed. This actively discourages mentally ill or suspected mentally ill individuals from seeking professional assistance. When such fallacious misinformation is being churned out so haphazardly. In an effort to condemn them as to provide an invalid explanation. Or merely shifting of the blame. Which is the standard prognosis for a long time now within the USA. When just decades ago this was the polar opposite of what was reported. Yes for the record an estimated 22-24% of all those involuntarily admitted do NOT belong there in the first place. Yet they are held for weeks or months on end under false pretenses. Only to be stripped of their constitutional and natural freedoms and liberties. I repeat again tell me what have these individuals done wrong? Look them in the eyes and tell them what crimes they've committed? This is highly unconstitutional not to mention factually inaccurate to say the very least. To categorize any sole group of individuals into such position as to be hobgoblins. For a firearm is a weapon just like weapons used before the advent of such. They have but one sole purpose or function. Even if it isn't used for this which the overwhelming majority of individuals simply want them for self defense. Including those who've been prohibited for merely existing. Or those otherwise being falsely imprisoned against their explicit consent. Some of whom are labeled fictitiously. A study was conducted where a professor invited psychiatrist to speak to someone. They were told they were incredibly timid. But sought help from a mental health professional. Little did the psychiatrist know a recording spliced together from times this individual was the alleged person in question. They met in a catholic church in a confessional. Where the psychiatrist would be unable to notice the difference. The psychiatrist pyschoanaylzed recordings spliced together of himself. He concluded the diagnosis was that the individual in question suffered from the mental illness of a Bipolar disorder. As you can see they will label anyone and everyone. Not to mention how does one ascertain the criteria for mental illness? When it covers such a broad spectrum there exists no one size fits all approach to what this encompasses...but I digress. As ALL mental illnesses to varying degrees are prevalent within all humans. If you show up before a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Or have the misfortune befalling you of being falsely imprisoned via involuntary commitment against your will. You can and will be wrongfully diagnosed with a whole plethora of mental illness. Along with losing a significant portion of your freedom indefinitely. Many individuals remain blissfully ignorant to the fact that this can happen to anyone. At any given moment you could be next under the wrong circumstances.

[@massimobozzi1]

It's a crime not to expose crime!

[@flyingphotography5770]

Massimo Bozzi To quote Dr. Martin Luther King, “injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere.”

[@lynnebarnes6849]

Massimo Bozzi , you are correct !!!

[@hopefulskeptic42]

"It's a crime not to expose crime!" Or should be.

[@LunaRose1312]

Selling classified information is a crime

[@rodriguerra3639]

@@LunaRose1312 being such an asshole should be a crime too!

[@slowbaker]

Professor Stone is skirting the fact that Snowden revealed that phone calls (without court authority) were, in fact, being recorded and listened in on. So, his argument is for not. Snowden is a hero.

[@tropickman]

Snow-den is the definition of hero. He sacrificed his own life/well being for the sake of helping others!

[@mhikl4484]

+tropickman Hell will freeze over before a modern Republican walks that path. The choice of Snowden is to be celebrated.

[@justinguo9984]

he is such a Christ figure lol

[@rodriguerra3639]

@@justinguo9984 and you are nothing

[@tinapatton7346]

@@rodriguerra3639 According to nothing-Rodri - Christ was nothng.

[@david8157]

Bottom line...America is becoming a police state.

[@oldcrone]

Becoming?

[@joe197301]

It's been

[@marccano5061]

Just give the their weekly dose of NFL, and NBA entertainment and they'll never notice.

[@PatrickCA]

I don't feel this man is a traitor.

[@ECMVAQ137]

Trump is

[@notrombones5041]

Snowden is a hero. He was justified in breaking the law in this case, making his life very insecure, and potentially under threat, from now on. But the society at large desperately needed to know what he had to share. A real Profile In Courage.

[@1960ajh]

Mr Snowden is a HERO!!!

[@jetpaq]

Holy mother of god.. He is preaching the real gospel.! I am so moved by hedges frankness and rightness. Journalism is dead, he is not backing down from the issue, he is proclaiming it with the ferveor of a patriot and a human being. I am honestly moved and inspired by this man.

[@biologyprodigy]

Journalist:1 Law Scholar: 0

[@giggergigger1]

More like 5-0 for hedges

[@ThatOneScienceGuy]

Great debate. I wish you could see more stuff like this in the mainstream media. Democracy Now is an excellent program. They chose two intelligent, knowledgeable and outstanding men on both sides, neither of which are unlikable. No bickering, no arguing, just pure, raw intellectual debate. Love it.

[@loanauditscal]

Chris Hedges is awesome and astounding. Always well read and prepared, he's a tough guy to get the best of. Go, CH!!

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Tough? I would argue........insurmountable.

[@EmpressLeana]

Stone seems to equate "the government tells us" with absolute truth. The commissar class hard at work!

[@Adame1952]

I am a retired US Marine, Vietnam vet. Mr. Snowden will be treated as a hero in History. He should be.

[@annford6640]

Love watching someone with a moral compass (Mr. Hedges) state the case over legalism (the "other guy").

[@EveryCallYouMake]

Thank you for raising public awareness of the NSA Wiretapping/Surveillance and Edward Snowden's heroic exposures of them.

[@factsoverfeelings1776]

Hero! and that says alot coming from a person like me who is an active duty service member with 17 1/2 years defending the red, white and blue.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Respect for your integrity and dignified rise above tribalism.

[@truedonblue3949]

My boy Chris H just kicked some ass again.

[@mhikl4484]

+True Don Blue I prefer to copy the sound lecture and savour over a cuppa. Is there another political mind as CH who is so well spoken, knowledgeable and focused. Namaste and care, mhikl

[@stevencoardvenice]

+Steve Fortuna .. this scumbag law professor had to eat his own words. "nothing unconstitutional" and warrantless interception and storing of the entire countries communications? he should be demoted immediately

[@TommyT777]

The nice thing about Snowden: he forces our enemies to be much more apparent. They have to stick their necks out to discredit him.

[@1hudhead]

Understatment☺

[@klausmkl]

Snowden shines a light on the men in the darkness. These men hate the light and love the darkness. They stay and live in the dark. They will all be exposed.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

"Cock-a-roaches".......as Jackie Mason used to say.

[@sjmcn500]

At what point did Geoff Stone sell his conscience and soul? Did it get him tenure?

[@marccano5061]

As I was watching this debate I was wondering the exact same thing. Sellout.

[@InvestingForTomorrow24]

Edward Snowden is a patriot on the level of Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale.

[@Maxmekker42]

The government should be sent to jail

[@ECMVAQ137]

Trump will be

[@joe197301]

That's why they serve. They are infallible

[@mogendavid6693]

"Risked his career?" Now, that's an understatement!

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Good for you....well said

[@noitall13]

I've said this, "Just because something is illegal doesn't make it wrong and just because something is legal doesn't make it right!"

[@particlelight]

I stood to my feet and started to applaud during Hedges final rant. Brilliant.

[@sueiskra]

Geoffrey Stone waffles at the end (well, pretty much throughout) and says there needs to be a debate about all these things and there now will be - but if it hadn't been for what Edward Snowden did there would not have been such a debate. Chris Hedges is right, the very knowledge that is needed in order to have informed debate is only possible because brave people like him and Bradley Manning risk everything to put that in the public domain.

[@Micscience]

Stone disagrees that metadata isn't worse. He is dead wrong. They can track every part about your life with metadata and it is online data that is becoming the biggest technology people use to communicate today.

[@jamescc2010]

metadata is much larger than Bush' wire taping. Obama is worst on violation civil liberties.

[@icgantshat]

16:32-16:55 Holy shit. I'm surprised that man's brain can handle all of that cognitive dissonance and rationalization. Dude's brainwashed or a liar. I don't know which.

[@petestanton1945]

Not brainwashed. High paid liar

[@MsPearl2001]

Hedges is great!

[@Arbitrageur_]

"In interest of National security" The cry of the oppressor.

[@caligulajones1237]

Chris Hedges is Gangster AF!

[@kn9ioutom]

SNOWDEN IS LIKE THE BOY WHO SAID THAT THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES

[@MrIkesimba]

I wonder if Geoff Stone also thinks Hillary Clinton should also be in jail for mishandling classified information?

[@ECMVAQ137]

LOL Trump took CLASSIFIED shit to his HOME!!!

[@fl052398]

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and forgotten the gift" - Albert Einstein

[@tommedlin3009]

We need more of them thank you for your patriotism and your honesty mr. Snowden.

[@mickeywood3012]

As a Law Scholar, it makes Geoffrey Stone a historian who hasn't been there, much less, from the looks of it, lived during the era. When America exercised ACCOUNTABILITY on our public officials people like Edward Snowden were considered vital to our industry as Gatekeepers. In our corrupt society, America can't afford the would be Edward Snowden's

[@mcnathan80]

I love this lawyer. It's illegal because the criminals wrote a law saying it is illegal

[@lencho234]

True debate. Like a breath of clean dirty air.

[@CoryThe411]

"One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws" Dr. King

[@Robin-bk2lm]

17:45 to 18:58. End of argument.

[@Texas75023]

+Rob V Thumbs up 1776 times. . .

[@RationallyMe]

+Rob V Mic drop!

[@sinisamajetic]

I must mention, when Stone won't, that prior to 9/11 they, (fbi, nsa), did have all necessary information but have failed to process those information in order to prevent 9/11, so arguing that if they had better surveillance 9/11 wouldn't happened is just stupid. What is a real security threat is that Obama still haven't decide whether to disclose to public what those information were or are.

[@sloanranger6117]

I think we -the general population, agree.

[@andrewsarkadi1426]

In the Land of the Blind, the One-eyed man is a king!

[@karrasue]

If violating the "law" must be upheld, why isn't Petraes in prison as well???

[@jonathangilliam875]

A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.

[@GabrielHasbun]

The best is said at 17:46 By Chris Hedges.

[@aristizle8797]

I'm glad Snowden is doing well. He's free to speak. He's been on Last Week Tonight, he talks at many digital events. Whistleblowers are great. We should have more of them.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

They ARE great......but they are persecuted

[@nevadataylor]

Hero!

[@chokinonashes61]

Thumbs up for Mr Hedges and Mr Snowdon

[@mikeappleyard1898]

Geoffrey Stone did a really good job of not noticing how every argument he made was completely dismantled by Chris Hedges.

[@raymondwegimont8767]

No defense...nice copout Stone.

[@Godskingdomwithin]

Al Qaeda was deemed to be a threat to national security in Afghanistan, which we began a war to remedy. Today, we wish to finance the rebels in Syria trying to overthrow the Syrian government. Al queda, are known to be among these rebels in Syria, and we very enthusiastically wanted to finance these rebels. What is this all about? Now they want to get their hands on Snowden, one man, because they want to make an example of those that do something that was revealing inappropriate, unjust policies! The issue is also that there are laws-the Patriot Act for one-that are clearly a danger to the human rights, and not constitutional! As far as law goes, it was within the law to slaughter the Jews in Nazi Germany! Terrorism is a danger to National Security, and possibly, do you think some of the Countries in the Middle East might perceive us as Terrorists, and that may be one of the reasons they hate us? Important questions!

[@callofdutylegend123]

Thank you for bringing up all of these questions! Not to mention that when legality is such an important issue to Stone, why is a blind eye frequently turned to the US government's countless failures when it comes to following international law (drone strikes cough cough).

[@NellieKAdaba]

ash aggarwal I agree

[@betosal16]

Perfectly put. I have Similar views.

[@seanafsar7688]

Godskingdomwithin what you said is true and this is what cowards kitty sissy conservatives exchange their freedom for non existent threat so government creates threat to Lee the war profiteers profitable . It’s a revolving door in Washington and Americans are bunch of fools especially the conservatives pussies who act so tough with their gun but doesn’t protect the constitution .

[@markteague8889]

Towards the dangers of allowing a centralized government to amass information about the population at large … the Nazis utilized census data stored on IBM "Hollerith" punched cards to identify and target Jewish members of the population.

[@KamalShariff]

Chris Hedges is fearless!

[@salamisfamagusta2918]

Chris Hedges great man ,honest and honourable humanity respect you.

[@zwergie256]

Given what Stone says @4:15, and says very clearly, why is he not calling for the immediate prosecution of Hillary Clinton who is without question guilty of the very same thing he described? This guy is as flexible as Gumby.

[@jakepreston8622]

Geoffrey Stone is an absolute snob: "Who does Snowden think he is anyway? He had no expertise in public policy, like me, so he had no business.... blah, blah, blah."

[@tiffsaver]

Jake Preston Absolutely. This guy reminds me of a high paid lawyer that specializes in defending murderers and mob bosses. He's an expert at the "fine print" of the law, and uses it to free obvious criminals.

[@reakingringpiece]

the ego of the lawyer you can feel the gravity from him :( ewwww repulsive :(

[@anderslarsen4912]

One as to admire the heavy balls of Mr Snowden. What guts this guy has. Source for true admiration.

[@gocrazy432]

"You have no proof" But you're the one making a positive claim "damage has been done" Evidence is needed to make a positive statement like yours.

[@paulezycom]

@Geoffrey Stone, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School. What a sniveling lawyerly type. You asked! Read Naomi Klein "Shock Doctrine The Rise of disaster Capitalism."

[@markspeeps]

Chris Hedges is a National Treasure.

[@14598175]

If we allow lawyers like this guy to continue replacing constitutional law with "case law", we will lose this country forever.

[@kimyoung2748]

2021...so relevant today. And where are my goggles so I can see through the US of American BS. Chris is the wisest and most mild manored, honest and truthful telling human I have wandered across in the past 6 years of using my gadget with the window to the social media and all that exists therein. It's amazing what we find out when we take our heads out of our butts and act we are grateful for life and all of God's creation.

[@lindacianchetti3599]

CRIME has no right to privacy.

[@zzzzoot]

Chris Hedges is a boss and the mediator did a great job with her questions.

[@bhmcrumbs1348]

I'd never have this Stone character as my attorney if I ever need one

[@marccano5061]

Aimee that was brilliant! You got him cornered with the quote from Dr. Kings letter.

[@DucksDeLucks]

This Stone guy is very resourceful. Didn't he play Eddie on Leave it to Beaver? "Your hair looks very nice today, Amy."

[@patrickaucoin2344]

Stone's body language says it all!

[@sanctuary70]

Great questions Amy! Mr. Stone knew his answers were wrong.

[@stevenmurphy8864]

Chris hedges ura ROCK STAR MAN ALWAYS SPEAKING DA TRUTH !

[@foodparadise5792]

Stone is a perfect example of when you bury your head in the law books too long, you lose common sense.

[@Vivungisport]

Well said. It is refreshing to read normal comments occasionally. All do not possess a strong morale and understand the good Snowden has done for the people of the world.

[@98SPRINGERFXSTS]

THANK YOU Chris...for bluntly negating this scholar puppet

[@savydude1]

I think people are tiring of people like Stone....

[@moforndong3629]

If Snowden was a Russian and at odds with the Russian govt and being persecuted in this manner, the USA will have made him a hero and he will have won the Nobel. Peace Prize

[@zachdorian925]

It's sad no one takes a stand to demand he is released. He is not a criminal our government is.

[@FatManDoubleZero]

I think Chris Hedges is a great human being!!!

[@mikepatrick5909]

Someone once told me that when a bureaucrat wants to keep their job they stamp everything TOP SECRET.

[@tiredcaballero]

Hedges intellect is indispensable

[@MR.HandyANDY]

Thanks Hans, I realized it when I came back to it but didn't want to delete the post. Truth is very transparent these days when people actually focus on it.

[@johnrodgers715]

If you are smart and care about your children, you will get behind Snowden and support him. He has done a good thing.

[@davecaraballo]

The shame is that there is not enough public outrage over the programs Snowden sacrificed a great deal to bring it to light.

[@notrombones5041]

Those who would condemn Snowden must have an inner love of Big Government, and a feeling of scorn towards America's freedoms.

[@marlenesoifer7219]

Bless you All

[@patrickaucoin2344]

Given the latest revelations, it would be hilarious to hear Geoffrey Stone continue to justify the jailing of Edward Snowden. Well done Chris Hedges!!

[@marlenesoifer7219]

Appreciate information 💁‍♀️

[@terrestrialaccessnetwork8456]

Geoffery Stone, from a legal standpoint, is 100% correct here.

[@terrencealexander6811]

Chris Hedges and Snowden are heroes!

[@kerrymclaren7460]

He says he is like everyone else....No everybody doesn't have the straight forward courage and use it!

[@bamnibaum]

Sonny, I served in the U.S. Army from 2June 1969 to 27 April 1973. I also spent 1 year 7 months and 19 days in Vietnam.

[@bukucarateen4217]

Both gentlemen made a very good debate. Stone at first may seem like you may not like him but if you listen closely to what he is saying you'll find he is very down to earth and practical. Yes, almost a head in the sand but not quite. He is a part of the spectrum we need in a democracy for healthy debate. Chris is the other of the spectrum asking questions that are hard to ask and is a little more extending the imagination and thinking out of the normal box. This is also something we need in our democracy for healthy debate. I want to thank these men for being cordial to each other and speaking out their minds in a proper way. One thing that is for sure, every time I listen to Chris or see anything with him involved, I am always learning something new. That is rare and he is definitely a very good teacher.

[@lindacianchetti3599]

Great question to Geoffrey regarding defence, and obviously his ear piece answered your posed question for him. LOL

[@norman7527]

Here we are in 2022. Hedges was truly prophetic in 2013

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Well said

[@elbowroom3663]

Who decides what information should be classified? And how and why? Lots of crimes can be concealed in this fashion.

[@s.r.howell1297]

Yeah, that's right. Your exactly the kind of American I'm talking about. Fascinating.

[@gregllyman]

My god what has happened to America!?

[@albertog7245]

Chris Hedges needs to form a group of disciples who will carry on his high level view and assessment of their country. Hedges is truly a national treasure unlike any politician or corporate titan I know of.