We live in a topsy-turvy world where whistleblowers are charged while those who lie to Congress in order to affect government proceedings are allowed immunity. Barrett Brown is finally out of prison for "giving interviews" about his mistreatment in prison for copying and pasting information that blew the lid on the Strategic Forecasting mass surveillance scandal. Reality Winner is facing charges under the Espionage Act of 1917 (which allows for capital punishment) for sharing information with the Intercept.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is forty five minutes of video that needs to be understood. Prior to the snowden revelations, prior to the Hastings crash, Eschelon2 and projectPM was uncovering the same capabilities in use by federal contractors. Prior to them, there was Barrett Brown. <a href="https://t.co/WlxHK0Bxiy">pic.twitter.com/WlxHK0Bxiy</a></p>— Ralph⚡Zenith (@ralph_zenith) <a href="https://twitter.com/ralph_zenith/status/972329595285528576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Now, leaks can be dangerous. Look at the Valeria Plame debacle, for instance, Robert Novak could have gotten Plame killed when he revealed the fact that she was a CIA asset in Nigeria. That said, he didn't face anything more than embarrassment and censure for that. Hiding the truth can be just as dangerous as telling the truth at the wrong time and place though. Take the case of former intelligence chief James Clapper.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Remember Valarie Plame? Robert Novak publically identified Plame as a covert CIA officer in 2003.<br>Her Husband wrote a NYT article doubting the existence of wmd's in Iraq. A week after Wilson's op-ed was published, Novak published a column which mentioned claims of "two senior <a href="https://t.co/RIhMeh4yO1">https://t.co/RIhMeh4yO1</a></p>— tina morphis (@TinaMorphis) <a href="https://twitter.com/TinaMorphis/status/959568994964447232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Clapper, former director of national intelligence (DNI) from 2010 to 2017 has admitted giving "clearly erroneous" testimony regarding mass surveillance in 2013. He can't even get the story of why he lied straight. Lucky for him, there is a five-year statute of limitations on lying to Congress which means, by Monday Clapper is scot-free. The case of perjury under oath was uncovered by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden who was rewarded with charges of his own. Some members of Congress find this unsettling as it sets a disturbing precedent:
<blockquote>"He admitted to lying to Congress and was unremorseful and flippant about it,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., told the Washington Examiner. “The integrity of our federal government is at stake because his behavior sets the standard for the entire intelligence community.”
"Political consideration should not affect the Department of Justice from pursuing this matter,” Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said ahead of the deadline. “Complete and truthful testimony is imperative for Congress to conduct effective oversight. It is clear from the evidence and Director Clapper’s own admission that he lied.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He admitted to lying to Congress and was unremorseful and flippant about it. The integrity of our federal government is at stake because his behavior sets the standard for the entire intelligence community.<a href="https://t.co/lMqir5Vkcn">https://t.co/lMqir5Vkcn</a></p>— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/972917871310442497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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https://thegoldwater.com/news/1885-Russiagate-Is-Bound-To-Backfire-On-The-Left
Clapper also knowingly lied about the non-existent WMD's that formed the basis for the invasion of Iraq under former President George W. Bush. It's ironic then, that Clapper's support for the Russiagate conspiracy has been taken as gospel by so many considering his history of lying to the press and even to Congress while under oath so long as it suits him. Politicization of intelligence is a dangerous thing and for this reason, whistleblowers who come forth with classified information that puts no lives at stake should be not only taken seriously and free of charges, but viewed as heroes, while those who would twist the truth for their own personal agenda shouldn't escape with impunity, as is the case with Clapper.
Source:
Twitter: #surveillance #lockthemallup #Russiagate #whistleblowing
He should have been charged regardless, and let the courts work it out.
The same shit is going to happen to the hildabeast if the doj doesn't get off their asses and charge her.