"Hostiles within our perimeter"?

[Atticus]

If someone says that one can't be a Christian AND a Democrat, we instantly recognize the statement as transparently biased and ridiculous.

If we are told we must support any war the PTB get us into if we want to be "true" Americans, we are likely to laugh in their face and tell them to kiss off.

If we question something our nation does and someone tells us we must "love it or leave it, we are likely to tell them to go Cheney themselves.

So, recently on DU, why is it that anyone who fails to totally condemn the NSA or celebrate the "whistleblower" Snowden is treated like a traitor to all liberaldom and essentially told they are not REALLY progressives?

I thought it was the Republicans who were supposed to "fall in line" or leave their party?

[FSogol]

1. K&R. n/t

[Whisp]

2. That is fear. They are boxed in on lies they wanted to believe in once again.

and are now in Flail Stage when things turn out not quite as was presented and illustrated by their anti-establishment heroes.

like clockwork.

[RobertEarl]

3. Not Fear at all, rather it is bravery

Standing against an establishment that will spy on you takes guts.

Bending to the establishment takes being on your knees.

[jimlup]

4. While I disagree with the NSA supporters I agree with this statement...

As a forum it would be good if we could learn to live with a diversity of opinions.

Anytime I've gone against the grain I've had immediate condemnation. I'm not 100% whatever - I try to think for myself and always have.

As for the NSA scandal I have mixed feelings. Apparently I'm in the group that suspected this was true and isn't surprised. I'm opposed but not excited. I'm glad someone apparently has a conscience and can think beyond the standard propaganda of everyday life (Snowden.)

[Andy823]

6. I also agree with you

We can discuss things in a rational manner without attacking others views, we can agree to disagree when it gets to that point.

What I believe is when things like this come up we should all wait till all the facts come out. I have seen to many issues come up, like all the "scandals" the MSM seems to me push as doom and gloom for president Obama. Way to many people on this board seem to wait for these scandals so they can gang up and push the MSM's meme that it's all Obama's fault, jut like this issue. Then it becomes the old "if you don't think my way your not really a democrat or a liberal". I hate it when that happens.

As for the NSA "scandal" this "spying" has been going on for a long time. Why it's all of a sudden become such a big deal has me wonder who really benefits from this "scandal". When people say it's "illegal", and the president is breaking the laws, and that it's all the presidents fault it also make me wonder who is benefiting from say these things. Congress passed the laws, congress is the only one that can change them, and I have a hard time trying to figure out why instead of congress getting the blame it's the president.

The one good thing I see coming out of this is that now congress will have to have a "real" debate on the Patriot Act and the NSA's handling of the laws that are in that act. This time I don't think they can simply pass it and not even discuss it. This could be a chance to actually fix things, make needed changes, and bring any wrong doing to light, and then we can all see just what is going on and who is really being spied on.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. I thought it was Republicans who liked intrusive spy programs and furtive government.

But I was not that surprised to find out it's also 'moderates' because they are different from me by virtue of the ways they are similar to Republicans.
I will say I am very tired of the centrist trait of characterizing instead of quoting that which they are so upset about. So pissed about what someone 'essentially said' seems like a posture. What exactly happened to you that was 'treating you like a traitor'? Were you kept in isolation until hanged for hyperbole? What does 'essentially' mean in this context? All the generalized and vague language makes me doubt the tale. What was actually said to you? Because I don't believe your reportage is accurate. At all. And if you are just in a tizzy because others don't agree with you all I can say it grow up, that's life. Essentially told? What kind of craven phrasing is that? Are you religiously prohibited from using quotations? Is it a court order, some sort of Quotation Retraining Order? Revoked Quoting License? Essentially?

[pscot]

7. That's just plain mean.