GREENWALD: "There's a story from the beginning-I thought would be our biggest- & I'm saving that"

[kpete]

Q: How much more is there to release—and what burden do you feel to get it out there?
Greenwald: We published the first article [about the NSA collecting Verizon phone records] while I was in Hong Kong last June and won't stop until we're done.

I think we will end the big stories in about three months or so [June or July 2014]. I like to think of it as a fireworks show: You want to save your best for last. There's a story that from the beginning I thought would be our biggest, and I'm saving that. The last one is the one where the sky is all covered in spectacular multicolored hues. This will be the finale, a big missing piece. Snowden knows about it and is excited about it.

Afterwards, there'll be more to release—I made a promise to Snowden that we'd get as much of the archive out as possible—but I think the big media splashes will probably be over.

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201406/glenn-greenwald-edward-snowden-no-place-to-hide?currentPage=1&printable=true

[el_bryanto]

1. I have to admit I don't think he's showing good judgement here

I just think if there's a big story you should break it rather than sit back and take your time. I guess I can understand not wanting to step on your own feet, but I also think that by letting this set of stories drag out he and Snowden have become too much a part of the story.

Bryant

[KittyWampus]

2. yes, but this may garner his next book deal.

[bettyellen]

11. I don't think it's the first time he's had bad judgment. I think he's got a taste of power and an

audience, and he just can't help himself at this point. The weird stuff about Hillary and women, and then maybe a gay candidate was some bizarre diarrhea of the mouth. It's an immature and paranoid POV that is pretty alien to me, I thought he must be drunk or something to be honest to go off on that odd tangent.

[Whisp]

17. His crazy tweet on Nigeria - first thing I thought was he is Posting While Pissed.

Drunk pissed and just generally continually pissed off at the administration.

[bettyellen]

21. yep, so OTT, if he was a woman, he'd be long ago dismissed as hysterical

but if you can play to the angry white dudes out there these days, you are handed a big microphone by the media and taken seriously no matter what hate you spew. I think he's hoping to pick up some of the audience Fox has been losing.

[MADem]

46. He's "monetizing" the "news." It's reprehensible, is what it is. It's not surprising, though. nt

[frazzled]

3. How can someone who claims to be a journalist ...

withhold information, just so they can have a "fireworks show." That's not journalism, folks.

Bleh, I'm sure the fanboyz will have their explanations for why this kind of behavior is the height of brilliance and ethical journalism. I won't be buying, however. Every time GG opens his mouth, he provides ammunition for us to ignore him. For me, it occurred back in 2006 with his first book, where he admitted he'd never voted and had supported the Bush administration's war efforts, apparently for quite a while.

[FSogol]

5. Wonder if the timing will coincide with the rat fucking schedule for the 2014 midterms?

[msanthrope]

6. Exactly...this will be the timed to come out just before the 2014 midterms. nt

[FSogol]

7. And as part of a big Rand Paul fundraising drive.

[msanthrope]

8. Oh, I'm sure of that. Glenn now heads a media empire...free publicity

for the libertarians.

[Whisp]

18. Hamsher taught him well then, from the last midterms. n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

26. Let the grift begin.....

[nashville_brook]

4. he discussed this on Colbert last night -- it's WHO in the US is targeted.

should be quite interesting, and i'd imagine that the research for supporting documentation is going to be a big task.

this will tell us who the NSA thinks is a threat, and how much do you want to bet it's progressive activists that question big business profits over people.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I am betting of the big honchos in congress

The Supreme Court, the White House. (We know from another source, Tice, that they kept a tap on a little known Senator, you might have heard of him, Barack Obama I think is the name).

I am betting on a few well connected business people, and activists.

[DirkGently]

24. Well that would be a fun twist for Obama partisans.

They don't seem to understand that it's the NSA abuses that endanger the President, not the reporting of said abuses.

I'd love to see the argument that revealing that the NSA directly screwed with Obama, is a worse screwing with Obama than the actual screwing with Obama.

Better start working on that one, guys.

NSA SPIED ON OBAMA OUT OF *LOVE* DAMMIT!

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Well it is not like this has been a secret for a while

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/russ-tice-nsa-obama_n_3473538.html

[randome]

25. Sorry, that's what Tice CLAIMED. We don't 'know' anything.

And it makes no sense that anyone would spy on an unknown freshman Senator from the Midwest. Tice never has any proof and every year or so he makes another sensationalistic claim.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[Aerows]

52. When you put a comment

about Tice and then "know" scare quotes around him, it demonstrates a lot of things.

[nashville_brook]

29. it's b/c the Tice narrative has been out there, that I think it's something more universal

it's almost as if people expect the NSA to spy on Senators.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. A lot of folks are actually not aware of Tice, even if his narrative

has made it to HuffPost.

When I wrote a long, sourced, editorial on this going all the way back to Echelon, I had people who should that did not know. They were shocked, I tell you. And I think they have forgotten that.

I hope Greenwald makes it stick though, Those fireworks should be fun for the fans of NSA spying.

[nashville_brook]

33. i agree -- i think that people have blocked Tice's story from their radar

b/c it doesn't fit with their framework. it's such an explosive story.

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. Exactly, it has to do a lot with

cognitive dissonance. This does not happen in the freest country in the world DAMN IT!!!!

It is just not Obama, it is an ideology thing

[adirondacker]

23. The Colbert Report housed a Lot of libertarians last night judging from the cheers he received.

I think it will be interesting to see who is targeted domestically.

[elias49]

35. Yeah. I'm sure. They only offered tickets to Libertarians...

because Greenwald was the guest. Bwahaha!
Maybe the crowd was progressive Dems? I know the audience loved him. Even Stephen seemed to appreciate whar was said. He certainly didn't give him the challenge he generally gives his guests.

[adirondacker]

49. Colbert probably keeps a secret database of Libertarian supporters and invites them on his show...

when he has "special" guests on

My post was meant as snark, btw. I thought the wink would give my intention away.

[elias49]

50. My bad...nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Because only Libertarians appreciate what Greenwald has done

cool story bro

[adirondacker]

54. Please see my reply to elias.

Don't Tase me Sis!

[Autumn]

10. Smart thing to do. I bet he waits until the election season starts

and politicians are stepping up to get ready to run and this will force this whole mess to be a big part of the discussion. It can't be swept under the rug that way. Recommended.

[blm]

12. Any discoveries aimed at Bush? Is Obama stuck taking all blame for the infrastructure Bush created?

Has Putin been running a model nation with no intrusions on the citizenry?

The target seems to be 95% Obama, even though the programs were well advanced and institutionalized by Congress in the years before Obama took office. And it is hard to imagine that Russia does not have any comparable system of surveillance. And how did Putin manage to accumulate such amazing wealth?

Surely Snowden and Greenwald would have seen some of that information.

[dionysus]

15. Glen certainly has a personal agenda

[DirkGently]

22. How would it be "aimed" at anyone?

Do you have any examples of why you think reporting on NSA abuses is somehow "aimed" "95%" at Obama?

I know that's the view of the hyperventilating Obama partisans who rage at any piece of information not perceived as completely flattering to the administration, but that's just silly.

NSA overreach goes back before Bush, continues through Bush, and continues today. To frame it as being about the President requires a horrific case of partisan tunnel vision.

And what in the world does "Russia" have to do with it? Russia is not the standard for OUR government agencies.

[grasswire]

34. well said

my thoughts exactly

[laundry_queen]

58. +1 for a great post. nt

[red dog 1]

59. + 1000

[WillyT]

61. + 1,000,000,000 What You Said !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. Well given that Tice has told us the Bush Administration

ordered the NSA to tap a little known Senator you might have heard about...the story actually does involve that little known Senator direcctly. I think these days he is the President, but perhaps that was alternate reality Earth.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/russ-tice-nsa-obama_n_3473538.html

In the context of US History this is not that strange, I mean it's not like Hoover did not keep files on both friends and enemies, but still.

Your cognitive dissonance is showing by the way. And I hope Greenwald can make what Tice was never able to... STICK

[randome]

41. Maybe this stuff doesn't 'stick' because there is no evidence for it. Ever consider that?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Precision and concision. That's the game.[/center][/font][hr]

[Mojorabbit]

57. Would have to have an IQ of zero to believe that imo nt

[blm]

53. And don't forget how amazing it is to find Putin so clean the NSA had no info on Russia spy webs

Wow - the NSA must be really bad or Russia is really, REALLY good.

[Luminous Animal]

51. He did write an entire book about Bush's NSA policies which is why Snowden gave the documents to him

How Would A Patriot Act
http://www.amazon.com/How-Would-Patriot-Act-Defending/dp/097794400X

At the heart of these actions, Greenwald saw unprecedented and extremist theories of presidential power, theories that flout the Constitution and make President Bush accountable to no one, and no law.

Here's another book about Bush:

A Tragic Legacy
http://www.amazon.com/Tragic-Legacy-Mentality-Destroyed-Presidency/dp/0307354288/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=01J7T6DGH8G55CB74MJM

Glenn Greenwald examines the Bush presidency and its long-term effect on the nation, charting the rise and steep fall of the current administration, dissecting the rhetoric, and revealing the faulty ideals upon which George W. Bush built his policies. Enlightening and eye-opening, this is a powerful look at the man whose incapability and cowboy logic have left America at risk.

Oh and another:

Here is another where he slams the entire Republic Party
http://www.amazon.com/Great-American-Hypocrites-Toppling-Republican/dp/0307408663/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0QJ7VEX79BDZ0VR5CX62

Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics

Ever since the cowboy image of Ronald Reagan was sold to Americans, the Republican Party has used the same John Wayne imagery to support its candidates and take elections. We all know how they govern, but the right-wing propaganda machine is very adept at hijacking debate and marketing their candidates as effectively as the Marlboro Man.

For example:

Myth: The Republican nominee is an upstanding, regular guy who shares the values of the common man.
Reality: He divorced his first wife in order to marry a young multimillionaire heiress whose family then funded his political career.

Myth: Republicans are strong on defense and will keep us safe.
Reality: They prey on fears, and their endless wars make America far less secure.

Myth: Republicans are the party of fiscal restraint and small, limited government.
Reality: Soaring deficits, unchecked presidential power, and an increasingly invasive surveillance state are par for their course.

[TwilightGardener]

13. "Excited"--now tell me they're not working for Russia.

Because why would they be fucking GIDDY about this? And people in the US are idiotic enough to give them the attention they (and Putin) crave.

[elias49]

16. There's pretzel logic for you. nt

[Sheepshank]

14. I'm guessing the public is getting pretty satieted on the general topic, and is ready to move on.

New revelations are no longer exciting or shocking.

Greenwald is trying to drum up interest the only way a circus carnie know how...being a caller, he's announcing the best is yet to come.

The guy is no more better than that grifter Palin...desperately wanting to keep their mug front and center.

[elias49]

38. Well if youre 'satiated'. please move on.

Personally, I'm looking forward to what comes out next.

[Sheepshank]

42. of course your are...standing at attention and all

good for you.

now knock off acting like the fucking hall monitor because I don't agree with your opinion.

[elias49]

43. Sorry Sheep...you're the one telling us all

that we're 'satiated'. Not me. Go monitor your own hall.
And take 3 deep breaths..it works to settle a person down.

[Sheepshank]

44. you continue to assume

and your "insights" are not only rude and dismissive and belittling, but wrong.

a perfect example of the things that are wrong with DU lately.

[elias49]

47. Breathe...nt

[Sheepshank]

55. again with the assumption

As it turns out I'm not holding my breath. Not angry, no rising blood pressure. Your insights are pretty skewed...perhaps a little projection?

[Tarheel_Dem]

19. Timed to release just before the midterms? Gee, I wonder who that could help? Hmmmm....

Glenn Greenwald, NSA Documents & Checkbook Journalism (Boiling Frogs Post-Sibel Edmonds)

[randome]

20. I'm sure the Sharepoint site was chock full of secret mandates.

"We're gonna have a really big show tonight!"
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[ProSense]

28. So let me get this straight

"GREENWALD: "There's a story from the beginning-I thought would be our biggest- & I'm saving that""

...Greenwald's interest isn't reform, but maximizing shock value based on a timing of his choosing? What happened to the public service that was suppose to inform debate and help shape reform? Greenwald and his defenders crow about how a debate or reform wouldn't have happened if not for Snowden's leaks, but here he is telling people that he selectively withheld information that likely could have had a real impact at the height of the debate.

Not that I doubt this is more Greenwald hyping something he's about to rehash, most of the information is such. I mean, one of the stories getting attention today is that the NSA collects "billions" of data. How many times and in how many ways did he report that last year?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023124512#post6

From the GQ interview, Greenwald also wants people to know that he, not Snowden, should get credit for the "decision-making" on what is released:

What do you think the biggest illusions are about the various roles that you and Snowden have played in all of these revelations?

I think that there's this ridiculous effort to attribute every leak to Snowden in terms of what he decided to publish or when he decided to publish it. It gets framed as "Snowden's latest leak" or "Why did Snowden decide to leak this?" But he actually plays very little role in making decisions about what gets published. I make all those decisions myself. I consult with him—because what I publish reflects on him or affects his legal situation. But he doesn't play any decision-making role at all in that process. So that's a huge misconception.

On the other hand, some people assume that he's played less of a role in how the reporting gets done. I mean, at the beginning he had very strong ideas for what he wanted to be published and not be published. And a lot of what has happened since then is the by-product of that process. Some people try to depict him as this sort of like reckless leaker and the newspapers, especially the Times and the Post, as the responsible journalists, when in reality, I mean, he's actually probably been more conservative in thinking about what should he publish than those newspapers have been. I don't think anyone really appreciates the extent to which that's true.

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201406/glenn-greenwald-edward-snowden-no-place-to-hide

[elias49]

40. Oh I don't know. I don't think Greenwald is any more or less

self-serving than many posters on this forum.
Sucks to be human.

[Egnever]

31. LOOK AT ME

It's not about me......

[Blue_Adept]

32. Outside of a few instances, most reporters/journalists aren't the story

I suspect people here could name a few more than your average citizen, but once you get past your Woodward and Bernstein, how many reporters/journalists are truly associated in the mainstream with the big stories they broke?

I can't think of any off the top of my head for the most part.

Greenwald has brought out some great stuff based on his work with Snowden, but unfortunately it keeps getting subsumed by his personality and that unfortunately ends up calling a lot of it into question.

[chrisa]

45. Yeah, okay.

At this point, how can Greenwald be taken seriously? He's reached Alex Jones-levels of attention-begging at this point.

Chances are, this "big release" will be a big dud, and Greenwald will be pleased that he got another 5 seconds of fame. If they really cared about informing others, they would stop hoarding information and would release it.

[randome]

48. He's going to re-release the PRISM slides!

And then claim there is fine print that shows he was always correct about it being a mechanism for downloading the Internet on a daily basis!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]All things in moderation, including moderation.[/center][/font][hr]

[WillyT]

56. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[red dog 1]

60. Greenwald On NSA Leaks:.."We've Erred On The Side Of Excess Caution"

http://www.npr.org/2014/05/14/312454746/greenwald-on-nsa-leaks-weve-erred-on-the-side-of-caution/

[ecstatic]

62. Just in time for the midterms? An October Surprise, perhaps?

Thank Goodness we have Lord Greenwald to decide when we get to learn stuff.