Lawmaker: Snowden Lying About What NSA, PRISM Can Do

But admits he doesn't know what info whistleblower possesses

Edward Snowden did not have enough high-level access at the National Security Agency to obtain the kind of information that would compromise America's place among other nations, House Intelligence Committee members said Thursday.

"He was lying," said Chairman Mike Rogers, Breitbart reported. "He clearly has over-inflated his position, he has over-inflated his access and he's even over-inflated what the actual technology of the programs would allow one to do. It's impossible for him to do what he was saying he could do."

Mr. Rogers' comments come at a time when some security analysts have expressed concern that Mr. Snowden might trade top-level, and as-yet unreleased, secrets for asylum in China, or another nation on colder terms with the United States

Comments

[Gindjurra]

So...if he's lying and making it all up, that would mean he's just a harmless nutcase, not a whistleblower, like thousands of other nutty conspiracy theorists around the world.

But the full might of the federal government doesn't go after nuts who are making it all up. Odd, that.

[Xeynon]

Mike Rogers has a clear incentive to lie about what these programs can do, because if this scandal acquires enough momentum it could sweep him from office along with all the other Big Brother apologists.

Edward Snowden's incentive to lie about them is... what, exactly? To make himself susceptible to an even longer prison sentence if he's ever extradited?

The NSA and its defenders are trying to make the discussion be about tarring Snowden, questioning his motives, etc. because they know damn well if they let it be about the programs they're running they're going to lose the debate.