I feel that he did the right thing exposing an obvious unconstitutional infraction, but while I respect his courage, I do not view his actions are "heroic" per say.
Conversely, I do not believe whistle-blowing an obvious offense makes you a traitor. Anyone that lives in such a black and white world, needs to calm down and look at the whole picture.
China did not benefit from any of this as many ill informed, cable news channel watching folks think. Because nothing has changed. The Patriot Act, NDAA,et el are all still effect and the government can still do whatever they'd like.
Phil, it's really about examining whether one thinks he wears a white hat or black hat. I'm in the gray camp myself. The initial impulse was right -- being a whistle-blower is a good thing, but you're not blowing a whistle when you take that information to a foreign government, as he may have done.
There's a heck of a lot of irony in calling a guy a 'hero' that complains about a lack of civil liberties in this country, leaks classified security documents and flees to the lands of forced labor camps (China) and Black Dolphin prison (Russia). We have no idea what he's done or not done, but given how below board he's been the whole time, I'm not going to rule out that he gave someone something on his 'excellent adventure'. I agree with Gandhi and MLK that when someone engages in civil disobedience to make a political point, that they should accept responsibility for their actions and stand trial. He's a coward and a hypocrite.
In today's America, you say "BOO" and you're likely to be imprisoned, stripped of everything you have built, and long forgotten. And to what end? Those in control of government have proven time and time again that they take care of themselves, ensure they are above the law, and find ways to live the good life long after they are out of the public eye.
Survival often triumphs benevolence and there are many tactics to survival.
I'm not an expert on Snowden, nor do I condone any of his actions. I do appreciate the fact of exposing rights violations and other indiscretions by our elected officials. That alone does not a hero make. Likewise, fleeing does not make one a coward - it may be the only rational maneuver for survival.
How many readers here know people who are willingly breaking the laws of the land by working under the table and not reporting income, stealing cable services, littering, driving while drinking, using their cells phones while driving, using public resources for personal gain, and on and on and on? Do you all whistle blow? Nope! And yet those actions have innocent victims every single day. Instead of whistle blowing most of America runs and hides. Does that mean we are all cowards? No.
No matter the course, exposing injustice is necessary. So is survival.
Just because he shed some light onto an obvious government overreach does not change the fact that he broke the law. As far as I am concerned he should be strung up in a public square.
So, if I knew that my government was violating the constitutional rights of every American citizen, if I could prove it by disclosing specific information as proof, and if it didn't compromise national security, you'd want me strung up for letting you know that your rights are being violated? Gee, the next time I see someone breaking into my neighbors house, I guess I should just STFU and MMOB.
Obama's Adminstration is in the center of numerous investigations. This is just another reason why the Obama Adminstration is not trustworthy. I do not consider Snowden a "Hero" since, we do not know how long he has know and sat on this information. I am sure he built up his courage to make this public. Look how Obama and Carney are trying to give the illusion Snowden is a traitor. So, he did right by notifying the American Public of the Obama's Administration abuses of power. This should make you wonder why, Obama and other government officials want firearms out of the hands of the public. Put all the pieces together and what do you get? A Tyrannical Government.
I think you're missing one:
I think you're missing one: neither.
I feel that he did the right thing exposing an obvious unconstitutional infraction, but while I respect his courage, I do not view his actions are "heroic" per say.
Conversely, I do not believe whistle-blowing an obvious offense makes you a traitor. Anyone that lives in such a black and white world, needs to calm down and look at the whole picture.
China did not benefit from any of this as many ill informed, cable news channel watching folks think. Because nothing has changed. The Patriot Act, NDAA,et el are all still effect and the government can still do whatever they'd like.
Phil, it's really about
Phil, it's really about examining whether one thinks he wears a white hat or black hat. I'm in the gray camp myself. The initial impulse was right -- being a whistle-blower is a good thing, but you're not blowing a whistle when you take that information to a foreign government, as he may have done.
I concur with that, Howard.
I concur with that, Howard.
That said, I also don't really rely on the media to be "fair and balanced", let alone thorough.
Local company excluded. :-)
There's a heck of a lot of
There's a heck of a lot of irony in calling a guy a 'hero' that complains about a lack of civil liberties in this country, leaks classified security documents and flees to the lands of forced labor camps (China) and Black Dolphin prison (Russia). We have no idea what he's done or not done, but given how below board he's been the whole time, I'm not going to rule out that he gave someone something on his 'excellent adventure'. I agree with Gandhi and MLK that when someone engages in civil disobedience to make a political point, that they should accept responsibility for their actions and stand trial. He's a coward and a hypocrite.
Martyrdom is highly
Martyrdom is highly overrated!
In today's America, you say "BOO" and you're likely to be imprisoned, stripped of everything you have built, and long forgotten. And to what end? Those in control of government have proven time and time again that they take care of themselves, ensure they are above the law, and find ways to live the good life long after they are out of the public eye.
Survival often triumphs benevolence and there are many tactics to survival.
I'm not an expert on Snowden, nor do I condone any of his actions. I do appreciate the fact of exposing rights violations and other indiscretions by our elected officials. That alone does not a hero make. Likewise, fleeing does not make one a coward - it may be the only rational maneuver for survival.
How many readers here know people who are willingly breaking the laws of the land by working under the table and not reporting income, stealing cable services, littering, driving while drinking, using their cells phones while driving, using public resources for personal gain, and on and on and on? Do you all whistle blow? Nope! And yet those actions have innocent victims every single day. Instead of whistle blowing most of America runs and hides. Does that mean we are all cowards? No.
No matter the course, exposing injustice is necessary. So is survival.
Tough call.
Absolutely a traitor. Just
Absolutely a traitor.
Just because he shed some light onto an obvious government overreach does not change the fact that he broke the law. As far as I am concerned he should be strung up in a public square.
So, if I knew that my
So, if I knew that my government was violating the constitutional rights of every American citizen, if I could prove it by disclosing specific information as proof, and if it didn't compromise national security, you'd want me strung up for letting you know that your rights are being violated? Gee, the next time I see someone breaking into my neighbors house, I guess I should just STFU and MMOB.
Obama's Adminstration is in
Obama's Adminstration is in the center of numerous investigations. This is just another reason why the Obama Adminstration is not trustworthy. I do not consider Snowden a "Hero" since, we do not know how long he has know and sat on this information. I am sure he built up his courage to make this public. Look how Obama and Carney are trying to give the illusion Snowden is a traitor. So, he did right by notifying the American Public of the Obama's Administration abuses of power. This should make you wonder why, Obama and other government officials want firearms out of the hands of the public. Put all the pieces together and what do you get? A Tyrannical Government.