People who don't have the courage to stand up for what they profess to believe are hypocrites. It shows that, deep down, they really don't believe what they claim to. So yes, it's an attack on them - but their actions make it entirely justifiable, because they're hypocrites, duh.

Paine was the same guy who said "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.", "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace", "The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection", "It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe", "Let them call me a rebel and welcome. I feel no concern from it. But should I suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul", etc.

Bold words, but his actions in remaining anonymous betray his feet of clay. In his own words, he made a whore of his soul. That he was able to redeem it later is a good thing, but it doesn't detract from the point.

The excuse of cowards everywhere to not stand up and be counted. It's an ugly fact, but it's still a fact.

If islamist had opposed this stupidity over the centuries they wouldn't be in that predicament, would they? But no, the majority of the patriarchy reveled in lording it over women and minorities, same as religious bigots throughout time. That their ancestors didn't stand up to it kind of makes my point ... not standing up just encourages stupidity, bigotry, racism, etc.

Also, we wouldn't have had to endure years of Watergate if "deep throat" had come out publicly immediately. Ever thought of that? But no, his job, his job, his goobermint pension, his job!!!

I've been on TV and in the news often enough that it's easy to verify that I am me. But if you have ANY doubts, send a stamped, pre-addressed envelope to me:

Ms. Barbara Hudson,
1312 Hymen, #301,
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC.
Quebec, Canada.
H9B 1M7

I'll send you a current pic and you can search the news articles to verify it is indeed me :-)

Where did I defend loser edits? On the contrary, I'm giving a way to avoid them - be open and you take away the power of people to embarrass you.

Also, you're being hypocritical in saying that I have no right to tell others how they should behave, when you're in the same sentence telling me how to behave. Troll much?

Pointing out that people's behavior encourages the very things they fear is a valid concern. We as a society need to encourage our citizens to "grow a pair" (I know, not exactly the best way of phrasing it considering my situation :-) instead of always playing the victim. Face our fears instead of trying to hide them. Or, to put it simply, "Grow up!"

It will never happen, because people are sheeple, but at least we can continue to try to reduce the amount of sheeple-ness in our society.

Not really. Thomas Paine had it right. And old Ben Franklin agreed with him. Remember, he's the guy who said "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.", "Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.", "As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence.", "Even peace may be purchased at too high a price."

You can have your own set of opinions, but you can't have your own set of facts. Fact is that he initially leaked it to journalists. The governments' actions forced him into hiding, not his choice.

And I think after two or three hung juries, they'll let it slide.

The defense of necessity is up to the jury to decide. Juries get to pick and choose the facts and their relevancy - the judge is only there for the law.

Did you even bother to read your second link:

It then goes on to point out that there is no such exemption in English law - you know, the UK? I doubt Snowdon will be tried in Britain.

And the first link?

Want to try again, this time with some citations that actually support what you're saying?

You missed my point. The fact that rape victims have been speaking out has made it better for everyone, including those who still can't speak out about it.

And in the current context, we're talking about people who express hatred behind a shield of anonymity. Do you really believe they would do the same if they weren't anonymous? Funny how, once they're exposed, they're not so defiant. Arguing something I never said (wrt banksters) is poor form.

Look, I get it. However, I've been there, and ultimately out is better. Every person who is out makes it easier for everyone to be a little less fearful. We've seen this repeatedly with rape victims, with the LGB, and now we're seeing it with the T and the t.

So let me rephrase what you said, with one change: "It's a shame that there are people on this planet who think they know better than the people who have been there because they want to be seen as politically correct."

Bull. When towns were smaller, everyone knew everyone else's business. And of course, if you spoke in the public square, you were identifiable just by your face.

As for people in power punishing those they dislike, the Catholic church has a long history of that, so your claim that people were "anonymous" in those days is demonstrably false. Besides, what ever happened to having the courage of your convictions? Die on your feet or be a serf on your knees? Live free or die? Give me liberty or give me death? I disagree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to express your opinion?

I guess that's been replaced with "Are you a man or a mouse? Squeak up!"

Yet another report that doesn't give hard numbers either in the summary or the article. And of course, the pdf is walled behind a "give us your information and we'll let you download it" page.

The criteria are pretty slack - as long as a company is thinking about hiring one linux worker, that's counted as a win. No saying if it's because they've consolidated several previous linux positions into one future job, or how many non-linux workers are being hired, to put the numbers into perspective.

Notably missing was the "how many linux workers have/will you lay off" question, even though we know this is happening thanks to off-shoring, etc/

I doubt we will ever have an unbiased set of numbers to work with - that would require someone who doesn't have a vested interest in the outcome.

Sure there is. You're not going to be convicted of disturbing the peace when you're screaming because someone is beating the crap out of you, or driving erratically when you've passed out or had a heart attack, or held up a bank because people are holding your family hostage.

While many remember the conviction of Patty Hearst for robbing a bank, not too many remember that she was pardoned by Clinton. Complicated cases make for poor law.

It would be ironic if Faux News hadn't argued, and won in court, that they are not obliged to tell the truth in their "news casts" because they're really just entertainment.

Too bad your version of the facts isn't the true one. He initially DID give the information to reporters - Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras. It was only when things got too hot that he ended up "on the other side." At no point before he was forced into hiding was he "spying for the Russians and Chinese."

All it takes is one juror to hang a jury ... and IF it ever goes to trial (doubtful) that's a likely scenario.

Would they be doing this if they couldn't remain anonymous? Doubt it very much.

It's a shame that most people want the benefits of the fight waged by their predecessors, but are unwilling to pay it forward. It some point you have to say "enough", or the h8ters p0wn you, body, mind, and soul.

Living in fear every day of losing your job because someone outs you is not a life, and it's extremely harmful to your health, both physically and mentally. The sight of the grandmothers in Kiev defending Freedom Square with rocks against armed government snipers should put everyone else to shame.

There is actually evidence of this happening, contrary to what you say. Originally people poked fun of Bruce Jenner. Now, not so much. People used to be openly racist. Now, not so much. People used to think that a divorced woman was disgraceful. Now, not so much. Light has always been a good way to chase away darkness.