Jimmy Carter Defends Edward Snowden, Says NSA Spying Has Compromised Nation’s Democracy

"Former President Jimmy Carter announced support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden this week, saying that his uncovering of the agency's massive surveillance programs had proven 'beneficial.' Speaking at a closed-door event in Atlanta covered by German newspaper Der Spiegel, Carter also criticized the NSA's domestic spying as damaging to the core of the nation's principles. 'America does not have a functioning democracy at this point in time,' Carter said, according to a translation by Inquisitr. No American outlets covered Carter's speech." Continue reading

Continue ReadingJimmy Carter Defends Edward Snowden, Says NSA Spying Has Compromised Nation’s Democracy

Obama toasts Bush: ‘We are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you’

"In a rare and warm appearance, former President George H.W. Bush returned to the White House on Monday. The 89-year-old was there to hand out the 5,000th award from his 'Points of Light' Foundation, but the celebration also recognized the 41st president’s legacy of charity and altruism. President Barack Obama credited the 89-year-old Bush with sparking a 'national movement' to advance volunteerism and community service as the 41st president of the United States, joined Obama onstage." Continue reading

Continue ReadingObama toasts Bush: ‘We are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you’

Snowden’s surveillance leaks open way for challenges to programs’ constitutionality

"At least five cases have been filed in federal courts since the government’s widespread collection of telephone and Internet records was revealed last month. The lawsuits primarily target a program that scoops up the telephone records of millions of Americans from U.S. telecommunications companies. Such cases face formidable obstacles. The government tends to fiercely resist them on national security grounds, and the surveillance is so secret that it’s hard to prove who was targeted. Nearly all of the roughly 70 suits filed after the George W. Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping was disclosed in 2005 have been dismissed." Continue reading

Continue ReadingSnowden’s surveillance leaks open way for challenges to programs’ constitutionality