Topsy Turvy World

Redmond Weissenberger

Sometimes seems like we live in a topsy-turvy world. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in the former home of the Proletariat Revolution, while the Home of the Brave's government desperately wants his scalp. Three decades ago, this was unheard of. Communist Russia was supposed to be a place of tyranny and surveillance. Uncle Sam was supposed to leave his citizens in peace. Now the roles have been flipped as Putin's Russia is taking in political refugees attempting to outrun the grip of the American state.

The Snowden leaks have proven a few things. First, the United States government - like all monopoly states - can't be trusted with uninhibited power. Second, Washington's political class only considers whistleblowers innocent if they don't embarrass the guys in charge. And third, there is a panopticon spying program, enforced by the American government, operating worldwide. Prior to the Snowden disclosure, it was only a crank rumor (one constantly stated at TDV) that bureaucrats were keeping tabs on everyone. Now we know for sure and the mainstream media can no longer deny it.