...Or for that matter MSNBC. Huffpo is typically full of fluff and you have to wade through acres of sensationalistic headlines to find the nuggets, but they get some kudos for posting this. I wonder if you'd see similar criticism coming out of a right-leaning media source when they're guy is in office? Man are we short on independent journalism.
That Obama wasn't truthful became clear when the U.S. campaign of "wheeling and dealing" led to possible asylum countries retreating in fear one after another (Vice President Biden was deployed to pressure Ecuador's president by phone). And even clearer with last week's outrageous, international law-breaking that effectively forced down the presidential plane of Bolivian President Evo Morales.
And if Obama eventually does scramble jets to force down a plane with Snowden on board, the commander-in-chief will be applauded for taking bold and decisive action by mainstream TV talking heads, "national security" experts and the opposition he seems most intent on pleasing: conservatives. Criticism from civil libertarian and peace voices (or unions and environmentalists, for that matter) has rarely daunted Obama.
The bipartisan consensus in support of our bloated Military/Surveillance State -- which so undermines our society as a whole -- is reflected in Congress and both the Bush and Obama administrations, as well as mainstream media.
When it comes to issues of U.S. militarism and spying, the allegedly "progressive" MSNBC often seems closer to the "official network of the Obama White House" than anything resembling an independent channel. With a few exceptions (especially Chris Hayes), MSNBC has usually reacted to expanded militarism and surveillance by downplaying the abuses or defending them.
As Snowden arrived in Russia from Hong Kong, MSNBC host Ed Schultz blustered on about Snowden as a "punk" and "coward." Railing about the "security of the country" in tones Hannity would approve of, Schultz questioned Snowden's patriotism and credibility, asking: "If the United States of America is doing something so egregiously wrong in its surveillance program, how come he's the only one speaking up?
In O'Reilly-like blissful ignorance, Schultz seemed unaware of the three NSA whistleblowers who'd loudly spoken up way earlier than Snowden -- and gathered for an illuminating group interview with USA Today a week before his tirade.
The Snowden/NSA story proves once again that -- especially on so-called "national security" issues -- we need strong, independent media not enmeshed with the corporate/political power structure and not allied with one of the two corporate parties.
We can't count on MSNBC to heed the lesson taught by legendary independent journalist I.F. "Izzy" Stone, after years reporting from Washington: "All governments lie and nothing they say should be believed."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-cohe ... 58857.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
