It started for me this evening as I was watching the CBS Evening News.
CBS just hired former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell as a "security consultant" and commentator and he wasted no time today (with appearances both this morning and this evening on the network's news shows) hinting that the Russians had aided Edward Snowden in his obtaining and leaking NSA files.
This morning he prefaced his remarks by saying, "We just don't know..." but then added that there were "...a couple of classified reports which I can't discuss here which suggest that might have been the case."
Tailgunner Joe McCarthy: "I have here in my hand a list with the names of X known communists currently working in the State Department."In other words: "We don't know but I get to see classified material you can't, so trust me, there MIGHT be something to those charges." Mr. Morrell's tactics here are frankly the worst form of McCarthyism and CBS should be ashamed for giving him a forum to use them on their airwaves. It has no place in our democracy.
But in plain fact, I suddenly realized that Mr. Morrell's remarks are only part of what has suddenly begun....a full scale and clearly coordinated attack on Edward Snowden.....not with facts....but with massive inuendo. Follow me below the squiggle for more evidence.