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"In light of the changed environment where a whole set of questions have been raised [...] it makes for us to go ahead, lay out what exactly we're doing, have a discussion with Congress, have a discussion with industry, have a discussion with the civil libertarians and see, can we do this better?" said the president during an open press conference Friday afternoon.
Though claiming to have previously initiated steps to ensure that the NSA surveillance programs "have strong oversight" and "clear safeguards to prevent abuse," the president acknowledged, "There's no doubt that Mr. Snowden's leaks triggered a much more rapid, passionate response than what would have been the case if I had just appointed this review board [...] and sat down with Congress."
Ticking off the list of proposed transparency reforms, Obama announced a series of new measures:
It remains to be seen how effective or impartial any of these proposed oversights will prove to be, they echo in some measure earlier reforms proposed by Snowden following his leak of NSA materials. As he stated during an earlier live chat with Guardian readers:
This disclosure provides Obama an opportunity to appeal for a return to sanity, constitutional policy, and the rule of law rather than men. [...] I would advise he personally call for a special committee to review these interception programs, repudiate the dangerous "State Secrets" privilege, and, upon preparing to leave office, begin a tradition for all Presidents forthwith to demonstrate their respect for the law by appointing a special investigator to review the policies of their years in office for any wrongdoing.
"There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny--they should be setting the example of transparency," he added.
Despite being spurred to action by Snowden's leaks and claims of personally enhancing whistleblower protection laws, Obama maintained that Snowden was not to be honored for his disclosures.
"No, I don't think he's a patriot," Obama said of Edward Snowden in response to a question during the press conference.
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"In light of the changed environment where a whole set of questions have been raised [...] it makes for us to go ahead, lay out what exactly we're doing, have a discussion with Congress, have a discussion with industry, have a discussion with the civil libertarians and see, can we do this better?" said the president during an open press conference Friday afternoon.
Though claiming to have previously initiated steps to ensure that the NSA surveillance programs "have strong oversight" and "clear safeguards to prevent abuse," the president acknowledged, "There's no doubt that Mr. Snowden's leaks triggered a much more rapid, passionate response than what would have been the case if I had just appointed this review board [...] and sat down with Congress."
Ticking off the list of proposed transparency reforms, Obama announced a series of new measures:
It remains to be seen how effective or impartial any of these proposed oversights will prove to be, they echo in some measure earlier reforms proposed by Snowden following his leak of NSA materials. As he stated during an earlier live chat with Guardian readers:
This disclosure provides Obama an opportunity to appeal for a return to sanity, constitutional policy, and the rule of law rather than men. [...] I would advise he personally call for a special committee to review these interception programs, repudiate the dangerous "State Secrets" privilege, and, upon preparing to leave office, begin a tradition for all Presidents forthwith to demonstrate their respect for the law by appointing a special investigator to review the policies of their years in office for any wrongdoing.
"There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny--they should be setting the example of transparency," he added.
Despite being spurred to action by Snowden's leaks and claims of personally enhancing whistleblower protection laws, Obama maintained that Snowden was not to be honored for his disclosures.
"No, I don't think he's a patriot," Obama said of Edward Snowden in response to a question during the press conference.
_____________________
"In light of the changed environment where a whole set of questions have been raised [...] it makes for us to go ahead, lay out what exactly we're doing, have a discussion with Congress, have a discussion with industry, have a discussion with the civil libertarians and see, can we do this better?" said the president during an open press conference Friday afternoon.
Though claiming to have previously initiated steps to ensure that the NSA surveillance programs "have strong oversight" and "clear safeguards to prevent abuse," the president acknowledged, "There's no doubt that Mr. Snowden's leaks triggered a much more rapid, passionate response than what would have been the case if I had just appointed this review board [...] and sat down with Congress."
Ticking off the list of proposed transparency reforms, Obama announced a series of new measures:
It remains to be seen how effective or impartial any of these proposed oversights will prove to be, they echo in some measure earlier reforms proposed by Snowden following his leak of NSA materials. As he stated during an earlier live chat with Guardian readers:
This disclosure provides Obama an opportunity to appeal for a return to sanity, constitutional policy, and the rule of law rather than men. [...] I would advise he personally call for a special committee to review these interception programs, repudiate the dangerous "State Secrets" privilege, and, upon preparing to leave office, begin a tradition for all Presidents forthwith to demonstrate their respect for the law by appointing a special investigator to review the policies of their years in office for any wrongdoing.
"There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny--they should be setting the example of transparency," he added.
Despite being spurred to action by Snowden's leaks and claims of personally enhancing whistleblower protection laws, Obama maintained that Snowden was not to be honored for his disclosures.
"No, I don't think he's a patriot," Obama said of Edward Snowden in response to a question during the press conference.
_____________________