Edward Snowden - Hero Or Traitor?

[maconmagnolia]

Originally Posted by Kevin

He's a hero. No different than the folks who risk their lives in combat. What he's doing is protecting the civil rights of all of us against a government who is spying on its own citizens without probable cause of any kind.

I don't take a lot from the fact that he left for HK and then travelled through Russia. He'd be a moron to subject himself to our justice system. His only real choice is to travel to countries which don't have strong extradition treaties with the U.S.

As for the point that he could have taken this to a U.S. newspaper, it's well established that Bradley Manning first attempted to go through numerous domestic news sources and no one would touch it. It wouldn't be shocking to find out that they passed on Snowden as well.

What about the fact that other countries, including potential terrorists, now know what the United States is doing to prevent terrorism? Doesn't this put us at risk?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

What about the fact that other countries, including potential terrorists, now know what the United States is doing to prevent terrorism? Doesn't this put us at risk?

I'm not willing to trade my constitutional right to privacy for a little security. The ability for low level employees to be able to read my emails, listen to my phone calls, etc., without a warrant is repugnant. I don't care if other countries know we're doing this and would frankly be surprised if a program like this would go unnoticed by foreign intelligence.