General Discussion

TalkingDog

(9,001 posts) Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:27 PM Jun 2013

Does Edward Snowden even exist? I vote no.

We're being played like cheap fiddles.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/24/wonkbook-does-edward-snowden-even-exist/

The only question is motive: Why would anyone do it? The answer, as Buzzfeed’s Ben Smith hints, is that it was necessary to keep the NSA programs safe. We can surmise that the information was leaking anyway, and so the government needed a distraction. Something connected to the NSA, so covering it would still feel like covering the NSA story, but that would divert much of the press from covering the actual programs.

And it’s worked. Everyone is talking about “Edward Snowden.” The whole world knows what flight he was supposed to be on this morning and which countries he’s considering as safe harbors. The term “STELLARWIND,” by contrast, has largely dropped out of the news.

The genius of the plan is that it offers an emotional arc and payoff that feels like it’s about the NSA story. People angry about the government’s actions can cheer Snowden’s moxie and root for his flight. People angry about the leaks can hope the government manages to catch him. There’s a new plot twist each and every day. There will, presumably, be an eventual resolution to the Snowden story, such that those following it feel they have a sense of closure and can move onto other topics.

16 replies

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Highlight:

Does Edward Snowden even exist? I vote no. (Original Post) TalkingDog Jun 2013 OP

Unlikely but Jesus Malverde Jun 2013 #1

I love Klein Recursion Jun 2013 #2

Actually in an ironic twist Cali_Democrat Jun 2013 #3

I demand to see his birth certificate! bunnies Jun 2013 #4

And why is there apparently only one picture of him? longship Jun 2013 #5

Wag the Dog... "Good old Shoe"... my thoughts WheelWalker Jun 2013 #6

Klein should decide whether he is for or against CT. Downwinder Jun 2013 #7

Just like there were no planes on 9/11 (and no moon to land on....) The Straight Story Jun 2013 #8

The Max virus has evolved. randome Jun 2013 #9

he is very real nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #10

I'd rather explore policy and governmental intrusion in my life than pursue the Snowden-opera TalkingDog Jun 2013 #14

Exactly nadinbrzezinski Jun 2013 #15

Was the pole-dancing girlfriend a CIA agent? FarCenter Jun 2013 #11

Naomi Wolf said something similar Jarla Jun 2013 #12

How did they ever talk Vlad into this conspiracy? n/t monmouth3 Jun 2013 #13

I could see this scenario: kentuck Jun 2013 #16

Jesus Malverde

(10,274 posts)

1. Unlikely but

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:31 PM

Jun 2013

consistent with a Limited Hangout

A limited hangout, or partial hangout, is a public relations or propaganda technique that involves the release of previously hidden information in order to prevent a greater exposure of more important details.

It takes the form of deception, misdirection, or coverup often associated with intelligence agencies involving a release or "mea culpa" type of confession of only part of a set of previously hidden sensitive information, that establishes credibility for the one releasing the information who by the very act of confession appears to be "coming clean" and acting with integrity; but in actuality, by withholding key facts, is protecting a deeper operation and those who could be exposed if the whole truth came out. In effect, if an array of offenses or misdeeds is suspected, this confession admits to a lesser offense while covering up the greater ones.

A limited hangout typically is a response to lower the pressure felt from inquisitive investigators pursuing clues that threaten to expose everything, and the disclosure is often combined with red herrings or propaganda elements that lead to false trails, distractions, or ideological disinformation; thus allowing covert or criminal elements to continue in their improper activities.

Victor Marchetti wrote: "A 'limited hangout' is spy jargon for a favorite and frequently used gimmick of the clandestine professionals. When their veil of secrecy is shredded and they can no longer rely on a phony cover story to misinform the public, they resort to admitting—sometimes even volunteering—some of the truth while still managing to withhold the key and damaging facts in the case. The public, however, is usually so intrigued by the new information that it never thinks to pursue the matter further."[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_hangout

Recursion

(56,582 posts)

2. I love Klein

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:32 PM

Jun 2013

It's an interesting point.

Cali_Democrat

(30,439 posts)

3. Actually in an ironic twist

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:32 PM

Jun 2013

Snowden's leaks, especially his leaking of information to foreign governments, will probably only harden agencies like the NSA and CIA. They will be even more obsessive about keeping a tight grip on classified information.

Also, the DOJ will be even more aggressive investigating leaks and prosecuting those leakers.

If anything, Snowden's leaks may result in increased surveillance and even less transparency.

bunnies

(15,859 posts)

4. I demand to see his birth certificate!

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:35 PM

Jun 2013

Right friggin now!!!1!!

longship

(40,416 posts)

5. And why is there apparently only one picture of him?

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:50 PM

Jun 2013

Huh? Answer that, you Edward Snowden believers!!! It is so easy to see the obvious Photoshop job, just like I can always tell a guy with a toupé.

Isn't it ironic that the one NSA operation not revealed by this guy is the insidious Operation Snow Job to make a fake leak of secure NSA projects? Get it? Snowden == Snow Job!!!!

But those of us informed within the InterWebby Tubes know the real truth and the rest of you are mere dupes.

I would tell you about other insidious NSA plots but I have to keep this post short lest their keystroke logging app catch me.

Wait! Somebody's knocking on my door...

WheelWalker

(8,956 posts)

6. Wag the Dog... "Good old Shoe"... my thoughts

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 02:50 PM

Jun 2013

have been going in this direction lately, as well.

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)

7. Klein should decide whether he is for or against CT.

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:02 PM

Jun 2013

The Straight Story

(48,121 posts)

8. Just like there were no planes on 9/11 (and no moon to land on....)

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:03 PM

Jun 2013

randome

(34,845 posts)

9. The Max virus has evolved.

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:06 PM

Jun 2013

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]I'm always right. When I'm wrong I admit it.
So then I'm right about being wrong.[/center][/font]
[hr]

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)

10. he is very real

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:10 PM

Jun 2013

This is the latest in making him a non person.

TalkingDog

(9,001 posts)

14. I'd rather explore policy and governmental intrusion in my life than pursue the Snowden-opera

Reply to nadinbrzezinski (Reply #10)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:48 PM

Jun 2013

The overarching point of the article is that the media has done a great job of promoting the cult of personality while ignoring the real policy issues. As usual.

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)

15. Exactly

Reply to TalkingDog (Reply #14)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:51 PM

Jun 2013

But when you go there people roll eyes

The footnote though is interesting from a fiction perspective...imagine what your can do with that? This includes the non person aspect

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)

11. Was the pole-dancing girlfriend a CIA agent?

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:18 PM

Jun 2013

Jarla

(156 posts)

12. Naomi Wolf said something similar

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:18 PM

Jun 2013

My creeping concern that the NSA leaker is not who he purports to be ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023026451

monmouth3

(3,871 posts)

13. How did they ever talk Vlad into this conspiracy? n/t

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 03:25 PM

Jun 2013

kentuck

(111,110 posts)

16. I could see this scenario:

Reply to TalkingDog (Original post)

Tue Jun 25, 2013, 04:09 PM

Jun 2013

Snowden actually worked for the CIA before Booz Allen.

Since we are pulling out of Afghanistan, how can we keep the "terrorists" contained without troops on the ground? Make them believe we can listen to everything they say on the telephone or write on the Internet.

But they had to make sure the story covered enough area of the world so that any potential terrorists would read about it. Very few corners of the earth have not heard of Edward Snowden.

So any would-be "terrorist" would be frozen into inaction for fear of being discovered by the CIA or NSA of the USA.

There could be a real Snowden but he would have been part of the plot from the beginning.

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