Posted by He is going to be shellacked by the U.S. government if they ever catch him. He disclosed classified information illegally. Snowden knows it and he did it intentionally.
Google “Snowden hero or traitor” and you’ll find all kinds of hits. Various polls suggest the majority of Americans consider him a hero. Doubtless such opinions are even more pronounced in the rest of the world (e.g., U. K.).
Spying on Americans who haven’t done anything wrong is one thing and it is absolutely bad enough. Without our freedoms what and who are we? Absolutely nothing is more precious. There is something else going on here: data that Snowden supposedly has indicating “U.S. cyber-penetration efforts.” This after government officials and others so vehemently blasted the Chinese for their hacking efforts.
Yes terrorists are an egregious enemy and are difficult to fight. But it has to be done on our own, respectable terms, that is, terms we can all live with. If certain individuals are not up to the task they should bow out and be replaced. Lying about their inadequacies and failures is unacceptable as is ‘we have to do it’ (i.e., spy on everyone). This is tantamount to admitting our enemies have won.
What has happened here is Edward Snowden has exposed our highest and supposedly most trusted government servants. Criminal or not someone had to do it. These people are lying to the American people–if what is happening is so worthy, acceptable, or even right, why does it have to be covered up?
Intercepting my telephone and internet communications–even if they are anonymous and for some potential future analysis–is not a war-time effort requiring secrecy. If you are going to do it you better damn well tell me and give me all kinds of avenues to object.
So yeah, throw him in jail and hope the problem goes away. Spend another billion dollars chasing him and covering it up.
Each day Edward Snowden is on the run our leaders and our country look worse. Blame the Russians. Accuse the Chinese. Threaten the entire county of Ecuador with crippling economic sanctions. All because they have the audacity to say ‘don’t tell us what to do.’ It makes us look pathetic.
Why, over one person? Because the revelations contained on Edward Snowden’s laptops are damning as hell. They are also, of course, true.
That it took just one person is stunning—one person extremely skilled in cyber security. It took a HUGE person.
TO ME THIS IS ABOUT LIES. IT IS OK TO HAVE SECURITY PROGRAMS BUT THEY MUST BE WITH THE CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF THE PEOPLE. IT IS NOT OK TO HIDE BEHIND CONFIDENTIALITY. THERE MUST BE REAL TRANSPARENCY.
(P.S. There is no evidence Edward Snowden’s intention has ever been to “aid” our enemies. The U.S. has used its clout to control or influence much of the world. Where else can he go?)