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-

The President's agenda has changed. Or has it?

       You can say a lot of things about Barack Obama.  One thing you cannot say, (at least accurately) is that he is stupid.  While I disagree with a lot of what he has attempted to do; he has been the most politically savvy President in a long time.  I have previously, jokingly suggested that his agenda for 2013 was to sell guns.  I think now I have figured out what he is really doing, and I want everyone to hear it from me first.
       He assigned the biggest fool on the left side of the aisle, Joe Biden, to head up a commission (which I'm sure was a four-star, blue ribbon panel, since they all are) to look into possible gun-control solutions.  This is significant given Biden's role in the Brady bill, and his political nearness to extremists like Feinstein.
       Examine what a farce this panel has been already.  Meeting with the makers of video games, movies and television shows to discuss whether there should be gun-control measures.  Someone said this is like asking the makers of Hot Wheels their opinions on automobile safety.  I concur.  Considering how badly Hollywood and the gaming industry botch firearms in general, it is moronic to ask for their input.
       Unless your idea is to shake up your political opponents.  Here comes the NRA, the 2nd amendment foundation, and the whole of the Republican party, riding in on their white chargers.  They are yelling that guns are not the problem.  Mental health care and schools are the problem.
       The President, while taking V.P. Biden's suggestions "under advisement", meets with the NRA and the Republican leaders.  He ponders for a while, then declares that he thinks they are right.  Education and health care are what need to be fixed, not the private business of law-abiding citizens.  He then invites the Republicans, and those in the Democrats who previously voted against reforming health care, to join him in this noble cause.  To correct the issues that were his primary platform to correct.
       He will have forced the Republicans, and the Democrats who didn't vote for those reforms the first time, to gladly join him in reforming these things now.  In doing so he will have built a bridge between both parties. Brilliant, when you think about it.