Gen. Michael Hayden, former NSA chief
“The Guardian newspaper’s Glenn Greenwald,” writes former NSA director Michael Hayden today in a CNN op-ed, is “more deserving of the Justice Department’s characterization of a co-conspirator than Fox‘s James Rosen ever was.” Hayden’s smear came in a column in which he argues that Edward Snowden, whose story Greenwald has been telling in the Guardian, “will likely prove to be the most costly leaker of American secrets in the history of the Republic.”
Those thuggish words are particularly disturbing coming from a figure who is, as CNN‘s editor’s note at the top of the column explains, still tied to military and intelligence elites.
When powerful bullies like Hayden attempt to smear or criminalize journalists, it should stir anger, particularly among journalists. Though it should come as little surprise that an official who launched warrantless surveillance programs–in spite of the Fourth Amendment protections against them–also has a tenuous grasp on the First Amendment.
Hayden’s sordid attack on Greenwald is just the latest in a string of NSA smears and lies emitting from current and former government officials. After the Snowden story broke in early June, and the official wagons began circling, I noted how officials including U.S. senators, the current NSA chief, the Director of National Intelligence, and the White House itself, were spreading falsehoods about NSA surveillance programs and their successes. With a couple of noted exceptions, those falsehoods went unchallenged by journalists.
As this latest propaganda in the campaign to burnish the NSA’s reputation and tarnish those of its critics comes at the expense of a reporter, it might be a good time for journalists to ask hard questions about the smear artists, liars and constitutional scofflaws in charge of surveillance programs. Or as veteran journalist and media watcher Dan Froomkin tweeted about Hayden’s attack on Greenwald: “Surprise: The people we’re supposed to blindly trust with absolute surveillance power engage in smears & innuendo.”
Speaking for himself, Glenn Greenwald responded to Hayden’s smear this way:
I’ve long thought Michael Hayden belongs in prison for implementing illegal warrantless eavesdropping at Americans https://t.co/f3Haz3du1n
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) July 19, 2013
Hayden is a Swine. An air force -brass fascist in the old Curtis lemay mold
The fact that Michael Hayden has confessed to aiding the enemies of the United States, by doing what bin Laden asked them to do, violating the US Bill of Rights — well, that means that Hayden should actually be executed, not merely imprisoned. Unfortunately traitors like Hayden are being given a “free pass” for treason by our corrupted government.
Mr. Hayden, Mark Twain once said that,” Every man over 40 is responsible for his own face.” That photo shows a scary and intolerant face. I think Mark Twain was right ; you have a lot of explaining to do. You are supposed to be protecting the Constitution, nor dismantling it.
I know bullcrap when I see it.
All Snowden and Greenwald have done is confirm the illegal program of spying one many different parties by the NSA. NO secrets were disclosed that would threaten anyone’s life, unlike the politicians who exposed agent Valerie Plame without consequence.
“…those falsehood went unchallenged…”
“…engage in in smears & innuendo…”
I love your work, but please have someone give these pieces a quick copy edit before posting. They are getting pretty bad.
I have feelings on this but I must confess to being surprised that people on this sight are waving the constitution.Is it possible all our work at the tea party has re invigorated even the most left among us to realize it’s importance in our national heart beat?Im feeling damn good about that.Most people don’t realize that is all we want(at the tea party).Once people understand their rights there be little reason for so many disagreements.There will be little reason for people to steal what is considered secret information.The feeling that government is running amuck will also recede.Im not condoning any removing or stealing of top secret information.I am saying I understand the publics want to see what is in government files.We at the tea party along with our friends in the libertarian movement want to audit the fed for instance.Im not asking for a “plumbers unit” to break into DEM national head quarters or the Obamas Quarters into his files to see what is going on.What has led to his massive lies.Im saying we already have a massive power to look deep into mis infrmation.It is called the constitution.it is called the vote.You gave a very dishonest man another 4 years.Dont act surprised.
You have to love what’s happening in the ruling elite circles. They are running around like people who have been stung by bees! Love it! Love Greenwald, love manning, love Snowden, love Assange, love Elsberg, love Amy Goodman, love Allan Nairn, love Steve Rendall, love all those who in the face of constant propaganda, brainwash, and coercion have not lost their humanity, sense of justice, compassion, and reason. Love it!!! They have been trying to subdue the human spirit for 5,000 years to no avail. They will never succeed!
All of a sudden its a “Republic”..does he even have a clue what that means and all that it entails..The least they could do when conducting an interview is get out of uniform out of respect to the men and women, included in my family, that served protecting the very values they have usurped..
Facebook would not let my comment on and wiped off what I had to say, so I will simply say this. Hayden is one of those that set up 9-11, aided Israel in doing it, and aided cheney in the bogus war games at the same time it was done. CHERTOFF GAVE ISRAEL IMMUNITY, IN THE PATRIOT ACT, FOR WHAT SHE MIGHT HAVE DONE ON 9-11. That is why no one was allowed to read the bill before voting on it. Hayden is a full fledged traitor.
FORGOT TO SAY…. They were all full fledged traitors and I am a registered republican, and not a huge fan of Greenwald, but that is only politics, this is bigger than politics, this is about America and all ofus as Americans and no small podunct international CRIMINAL MAFIA is going to bring us down without a fight. Got that Israel???
FreeSpirit: Awful cynic that I am (you may know from seeing my posts), I still have to say that I am in awe of your SPIRIT!!! The only thing is, how DO you explain the needless and unethical suffering of the last 5,000 years you point to?
I wish I felt as strongly about the fate of the human race as you do. And I honestly mean that, without innuendo or sarcasm.
No Difference: You have to step back and see the whole picture. You still think there is “no difference” between ordinary people of today and those of 5000 years ago? There have always been and still are narcissistic sociopaths who fancy themselves entitled to all the wealth, power, lives, and resources in the world. And because they have no conscience they will stop at nothing to deceive and dominate the rest of us, thus the corporate hegemony over the earth and the vulgar profiteering that’s prevalent. But the trajectory of social evolution has been towards more reason, justice, peace, and communal living. Most people today find the idea of slavery loathsome. Studies show that people are less violent (even though the ruling elite media try to convince of otherwise).
That’s why the PR industry had to be created at the turn of the last century in order to manipulate us into war, consumption, apathy, etc. through our noble values (like compassion) and pseudo-noble values (like patriotism). I believe we are at the beginning stages of a second Renaissance and we will consummate it if we don’t destroy the planet first!