One thing I got from this Edward Snowden interview is that we best refocus our energy on engaging one another above and beyond our fancy electronic devices.. While these are helpful tools and can allow us to reach large numbers of people all at once, its important not to isolate ourselves behind keyboards...Its important not to put our worth and sense of well being in algorithms we dont understand or control.. In short we should all take time out to check in with folks, make sure your on the same page and keep our communication skills sharp.. Its also interesting to see how some have foolishly engaged in a debate about why Snowden has not come home to face the music...A couple of weeks ago we spoke with former political prisoner Dhoruba Bin-Wahad who meticulously laid out all the ways in which the government stacked the deck against him and others Panthers fighting injustice in the 60s and 70s.. Many Panthers and freedom fighters from all over the world went into exile..Do we want folks like Asaata to come home and face the music? Are we satisfied that those who did face the music have been tortured and have been in jail for 30 and 40 years, much of it in solitary confinement? Today with the passage of the Patriot Act and other laws designed to fight terror, one who faces the music might not have access to a lawyer, could be held indefinitely and may have damn near all their evidence excluded from the proceedings.. As we saw tonite, Snowden laid out similar points.. Hence kill the noise about facing the music from a system that has not been about fairness and justice for most people for a very long time.. We should also note what Snowden was talking about with respect to Whistle-blowers.. Obama has been the most relentless and punitive more than any President toward whistle-blowers.. Last year there was a conference of Black whistle-blowers in DC who talked about the extreme challenges they face and how many have had to stay silent or risk freedom..Weve had Senators like Feinstein who wanted to go extra hard on media and strip away shield protections.. With respect to Secretary of State John Kerry and his claims about cowardness and one doing the right thing, let us not forget that when Kerry was a Senator, he made no moves to impeach President Bush after it was revealed he misled us into war and he and his cadre violated all sorts of international law.. In 2000 when members of the Congressional Black Caucus appeared on the Senate floor damn near begging Senators to step forth and use their power to get a recount for Florida in the Presidential elections.. Kerry sat there and did nothing.. we should never forget.. With all that being said, one should always raise an eyebrow when the information put forth by Snowden is done on prime time TV via network that has been pretty shabby in what they report and havent reported in the past.. Why was this allowed? What else is going on?? In the mean time, pay attention to where you put ur phones and computers and go outside and get some sun and fresh air..
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 06:34:06 +0000
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