Obama planned "robust public discussion" of NSA well before Snowden leaks

At least that's what he says now;

... I indicated in a speech at the National Defense University last May that we needed a more robust public discussion about the balance between security and liberty. Of course, what I did not know at the time is that within weeks of my speech an avalanche of unauthorized disclosures would spark controversies at home and abroad that have continued to this day.

Yup, the Oracle of Nairobi was all over the liberty/security balance long before that traitor Snowden spilled the beans.

As for Snowden, he did more than just spill the beans; he single-handedly, well almost single-handedly, endangered the safety of every 'merican patriot. Not only that, but it's going to be impossible to "conduct foreign policy" for God knows how long;

... I’m not going to dwell on Mr. Snowden’s actions or his motivations. I will say that our nation’s defense depends in part on the fidelity of those entrusted with our nation’s secrets. If any individual who objects to government policy can take it into their own hands to publicly disclose classified information, then we will not be able to keep our people safe, or conduct foreign policy.

The man is a natural-born salesman, that's for sure. This speech is Obama at his best; long on feel-good bromides and short on particulars. For instance, did you know that the folks who work at the NSA are just regular 'merican patriots like you?

 After all, the folks at NSA and other intelligence agencies are our neighbors. They’re our friends and family. They’ve got electronic bank and medical records like everybody else. They have kids on Facebook and Instagram.

Whereas Snowden was an obvious traitor who was known to consort with journalists, and not just any journalists, but homosexual journalists!

What's not in his speech is any real commitment to putting a leash on the runaway surveillance industry.

God bless America!