Broadcaster Press 03 February 4, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com Forum discusses impacts of Snowden’s actions By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net Is Edward Snowden, the former National Security Administration (NSA) contractor who stole approximately 1.7 million top-secret files and turned them over to the media, a traitor or a hero? Short answer: It’s complicated. Snowden’s acts and their potential repercussions, positive and negative, were the topic of discussion at an International Forum held Monday afternoon in Farber Hall on the USD campus. “I think that the question some of you should be thinking about is whether Mr. Snowden has done us a service in revealing information that wouldn’t normally come into the public domain, and if the nature of this service mitigates his unlawful conduct?” said Gregory Huckabee, associate professor with the Beacom School of Business. In the past, cases such as Watergate and the Pentagon Papers brought about positive change via the cooperation of whistleblowers and the national media, he said. However, Huckabee added that all of these cases need to be taken on an individual basis, and that it is too soon to know in the Snowden case. A big part of the issue revolves around the sheer number of files Snowden took, said Tom Martin, former head of the USD ROTC program. There’s so much information, it can’t be sorted, he said. “Just think of the volume of information that we’re talking on just the wiretaps,” Martin said. “Put yourself on the 50-yard line at the DakotaDome, and the DakotaDome is filled to maximum capacity with spectators. You have all these people in the crowd, and you’re supposed to find one person who’s holding up a pen from the One & two bedroom apartments. Scotland Apartments, 821 Main St. Scotland, SD 57059. Laundry. Rental assistance available to those who qualify. For appointments or applications please call 605-624-5218 or visit www.oakleafpm.com. Equal Housing Opportunity Beacom School of Business. Do you think you’re going to find that one person? They’re a literal needle in a haystack.” There is a responsibility on the side of the journalists, as well, said Tom Sorensen, associate dean of the USD School of Law, and a former journalist himself. “There is a real balancing act here,” Sorensen said. “What are the consequences of what you do? Who decides?” Sorensen said most journalists would tell you that they have made no decision, they’re just reporting the facts – even if that isn’t quite the case. “Too often, the media are in the parade instead of covering the parade,” he said. “There are responsibilities on both sides, but the law says this person is charged and deserves a proper hearing in the court of law.” Martin said the entire case is a matter of “the birds coming home to roost.” Before he came to USD in 2009, Martin was assigned to major military operations that sometimes required intelligence, after 9-11 in particular. With the increased need for intelligence, more independent contractors were used, such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Snowden’s former employer. Because so many intelligence workers are needed, background checks are not often as thorough as they should be, Martin said. “These people doing the background checks are under pressure,” he said. “They need to meet quotas, they need to keep producing. Do a few people slip through the cracks? Sure. I don’t think Mr. Snowden was one who slipped through the cracks. “But, just to make you feel really safe, just think of how easy it is for someone to lie about things and get into a position where they have access to this type of information if the really wanted to do some damage, or wanted to sell secrets?” he said. Martin did add that – to his knowledge – Snowden has not sold any of the files he stole. The panelists said the Snowden case also raises concerns about the role of the NSA in national defense – specifically whether the office is overstepping its bounds. “I think the Patriot Act got a foot in the door that I wasn’t comfortable with, even though I value my safety and my security. I also value my privacy,” Sorensen said. “I don’t really feel any safer knowing that the NSA is doing this, because a lot of times people forget there’s an enemy out there,” Martin said. “Our enemy happens to be alQaida right now. The enemy is not stupid. The enemy gets bugged. If you think that al-Qaida operatives that are currently in the United States don’t think that their telephone conversations might be monitored, I’ve Tom Martin, former head of the USD ROTC program, Tom Sorensen, associate dean of the USD School of Law, and Gregory Huckabee, associate professor with the Beacom School of Business participate in Monday’s International Forum on the USD campus. (Photo by David Lias) got a couple bridges in different locations that I can sell you. These people are not stupid.” While the overall damage done by Snowden is “miniscule,” Martin said, he has broken the law. “If you steal from a thief, are you still a thief?” he asked. Huckabee compared Snowden’s actions to those of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the George W. Bush White House official who “outed” then-CIA operative Valerie Plame. Because of Libby’s actions, other CIA operatives were subsequently killed after their cover was blown, Huckabee said. “Just as that leader did not care about those CIA Mike Pollman PO Box 424 • Wakonda, SD 57073 Phone/Fax: 605-267-2768 Cell: 605-661-1063 xkv8tor@yahoo.com • Liscensed • Bonded • Insured Rock • Sand • Gravel Quartzite • Fill Material 2013 Ford Taurus Limited 14,000 miles ......................................$24,995 2013 Ford Fusion Leather Seats 19,200 miles ......................................$20,995 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew King Ranch 23,500 miles ............................... Just Arrived 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew XLT 6 ½ Box, 45,850 miles ..................$27,995 2013 Ford F-150 Supercrew Platinum 24,700 miles ......................................$38,995 2012 Ford Focus SE 7,000 miles .........................................$16,495 2011 Toyota Rav 4 AWD Loaded, 44,350 miles.....................$18,995 2011 Ford Expedition Limited 57,000 miles ......................................$32,995 2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Lariat 51,000 miles ......................................$29,995 2011 Ford Edge SEL FWD, 38,000 miles .........................$22,995 2011 Ford F-350 CrewCab Lariat Diesel, Long Box, 82,000 miles...........$36,995 2011 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 80,000 miles ................................$15,900 2011 Ford F-250 Crew Cab Lariat Diesel, 84,000 miles ................$36,995 2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Lariat 70,000 miles ................................$27,995 2010 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 44,000 miles ................................$22,995 2010 Ford Edge Limited AWD, 67,000 miles.....................$19,995 2010 Lincoln Navigator 59,000 miles ................................$30,995 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 57,000 miles ................................$12,995 2009 Ford Flex SEL AWD ...................................................$15,595 2008 Ford Edge Limited AWD, 96,000 miles.....................$16,495 2007 Mercury Mountaineer AWD ................................................ Just Arrived 2006 Ford F-150 SuperCab FX4 84,000 miles ................................$15,995 101 West Cherry Street, Vermillion, SD 605-624-8624 • 800-624-6690 HEINE Electric and Irrigation Hartington, NE (402) 254-2568 Vermillion, SD (605) 670-9567 ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK. FREE ESTIMATES. Irrigation sales and service Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed Well Drilling – Domestic and Irrigation Pump Installation Waterline & Electric Trenching Tree & Concrete Removal Site Clearing Ditch Cleaning Grain Hauling Manure Hauling Crushed Concrete Snowden enjoys his new life in Russia. He sold his own country for his selfappointed purposes, and lives have been jeopardized. He does not care about that, but we do.” The International Forum was moderated by Benno Wymar and sponsored by the Beacom School of Business. TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” Design/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching Serving the Beresford and Vermillion Areas • Water & Sewer • Basement Excavation • Demolition • Site Preparation • Ditching • Grading Pre-Owned Specials Wednesday, February 12th – 1pm – 6pm “There will be no school on Wednesday, February 12th.” Teacher In-Service will be held from 8am – noon and conferences will begin at 1pm. operatives’ lives, Snowden does not care about the lives of national security personnel, military and civilian, he has placed in harm’s way,” Huckabee said. “When you balance the freedom to know with the freedom to live, I know which one I favor more. We have laws for just this purpose. “I hope Edward 1-800-560-2518 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 KNUTSON FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Richard Knutson Dr. Matthew Knutson Dental Excellence for Children & Adults Cosmetic • Implants General Practice •Single Visit Crowns Braces For Adults & Children •Invisalign HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30 1714 East Cherry Street, Vermillion 605.624.6291 Gary Madsen Auction Services 820 Cottage Ave. Vermillion, SD (beside Ace Hardware) Jack & Phyllis Noble- antique couch, wicker couch and chairs, sitting chairs, library tables, tea cart, blue recliner, antique chairs, old music, encyclopedia’s, globe, music books, small wooden chest, Oscar Howe drawing, piano bench, wooden tables, kitchen table, large assortment of pictures, hymn books, stereo w/record player and 2 speakers, rugs, antique easel, Nikon camera, old toys, corner shelfs, hutch, drop leaf table, sofa, Vermillion year books, coyote books, lamps, hanging lamps, electric ?re place, knick-knacks, VCR’s, TV’s, silver set, kitchen pots & pans, kitchen utensils, TV stands, kitchen aid mixer, bowls, vases, sewing kits, buttons, painted plates, games, Harmony house ?ne china set, outside wicker furniture set, console radio, queen size bed and bedding, antique dressers, desk w/leather top, old canes, twin beds, antique rockers, secretary desk, night stands, kitchen table w/chairs, old rocks and fossils, Fridgaire over under washer & dryer, laundry bins, folding tables, antique Iron Rite, Boy Scout medals, less than a year old, LG over under washer & dryer, 10 ga crock, little crocks, many more. Guest- 2 boxes of pop bottles, gun safe, gun rack, bike and skate board Thelma Lind- entertainment center, wooden toy box, swivel rocker, recliner, misc. dishes Tillie Lane- Roper heavy duty dryer, Kenmore washer, safe, chest, dishwasher, fertilizer spreader, snow scoops, oak chairs, small rocking chair, antique bedroom set, wood ?le cabinet, tables and chairs, secretary desk and boxes of misc. (605)638-0643