and, collectively, like Yossarian in Catch 22, all we really have to say is "there, there."
This is why our government can spy on us. Because even when it is thrown in our face, we cannot muster the proper sentiment.
Okay, not really a diary. But just wanted to point out. The flak jacket is off. All the ugliness is out in the open. What are we going to do about it?
I listen to both sides of the coin. I had to hear Andrew McCarthy of National Review tell Hugh Hewitt, how government spying is protecting America, and how you have to have some trust, because there are good people (aka "patriots") working in the NSA, FBI, CIA, name your government spy organization of choice, and if government overstepped its bounds, they would speak out. There would be whistleblowers.
Just wait rightwingers, you will hear Andrew's "there, there."
It will be something like Snowden isn't one of the "good people", he's not a Patriot. The "good people" I was talking about are still at the NSA and the real good people wouldn't flee to China.
On the left, our snarky comments will take the form of "what? the government spies on us? that's news? this has been going on since J. Edgar Hoover." Or the defensive types, we have to support our "good people" too. Obama said to trust the White House. He said its only telephone numbers and durations.
And of course, but, but, but, the mid-terms!, the mid-terms!
There, there.
Snowden spilled his guts. The secrets out. We actually have a unifying issue for Americans, and guess what, it doesn't involve the "powerfull gun lobby" either. What are we going to do about it?