President Obama to grant full pardon, and award Medal of Freedom to Snowden.

On the anniversary of a much better speech, by a much better President, about the dangers of ongoing war and the intrusiveness of government that would result from the overgrowth of the military-industrial complex; the President today gave a rousing speech about the need to limit the scope of NSA authority.  Included was this gem:  "Our system of government is built on the premise that our liberty cannot depend on the good intentions of those in power. It depends on the law to constrain those in power." Funny how he doesn't see that also applies to firearms... but that is another post.

Since he gave such a well thought-out, and obviously earnest (can you hear the sarcasm drip?) speech calling on the NSA, and any other agency, to get permission to spy on us, he obviously has changed his mind about Ed Snowden.

Of course all of the details are left up to congress, and the agencies themselves, but clearly he feels that the unwarranted spying (which he authorized) on the American public (and foreign diplomats, and foreign nationals here and abroad) should immediately (or soon, maybe later, whenever, really) be stopped.  (unless we are talking about national security letters, demanding information from companies about anyone and everyone.  Those are OK)

Since he now feels that such comprehensive data-collection is reprehensible, he is obviously about to pardon the man who blew the whistle on the practice in the first place.  Given the insurmountable obstacles faced by Mr. Snowden, to come out to the media about such practices is tantamount to jumping on a grenade.

For this the President must, of course, be ready to give him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  We should accept nothing less.  After all Ed Snowden has certainly done a damn-sight more for American freedom than Oprah Winfrey.

All kidding aside today's speech was long on vague promises and assurances, short on detail or action.  

53 years ago...

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”

-President Dwight D. Eisenhower-

Today...

"Effective immediately, we will only pursue phone calls that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization, instead of the current three, and I have directed the attorney general to work with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court so that during this transition period, the database can be queried only after a judicial finding or in the case of a true emergency."

-President Obama-