Edward Snowden.....hero or traitor?

I would like to hear what everyones opinions are regarding Edward Snowden, the guy who leaked the NSA information. In all honesty, I am still trying to gather enough facts to make an educated determination. As of now, I am torn between the fact that light needs to be shined on programs like this but I also understand that sometimes programs like this are needed in order to maintain safety. In a million different ways this is a double edged sword.

Another interesting aspect of this case is that there seems to be no consensus agreement within the respective political parties as to whether this guy should be treated as a hero or a traitor. So it interests me also because it seems to have created some measure of bi-partisanship as I have heard both R's and D's supporting or chastising the guy.

What do you think?

 

Tough question NC. Is he like Bradly Manning or the Rosenburgs and a traitor or Daniel Ellsberg a whistleblower? Like you I don't know enough to judge. However I am very troubled by the extent of the domestic information mining and storage. I am also troubled by the fact that the program was kept as secret as it was. I understand the need for secrecy but this seems to go too far.

 

I can't sort it all out enough yet to decide, but he could possibly be both traitor and hero. The information he released may be damaging to the government and liberating to the people. The programs may be necessary in the name of safety, but it should be left to the people to decide how much freedom they are willing to compromise in the name of safety, and not for a clandestine agency to assume we are willing to give these freedoms up.

 

Early information says that he was very careful to only leak information that would not lead to exposure of people in the field. If true, then I have no issue with it. Besides, the idea that the NSA was gathering all of our data is not new information. This was uncovered after 2005 under Bush. That they have gotten companies like Google, Microsoft and Apple to willingly hand our data over to the NSA and CIA is the bombshell along with the fact that they're storing the data indefinitely. Congress is aware of this program, at least someone in Congress is. To see so many of them defend it so quickly tells me all that I need to know.

I retain the right to change my mind as information comes forward, though...

 

This started under the patriot act and congress has known about this for years.

It's two fold un my opinion. There are systems that can and will monitor, but it comes at a price. However to think only the US government is viewing your data is silly.

I am willing to bet that what this guy saw is not even close to what goes on.

 

I was thinking the same thing but then it came to how. it's not like he can call a joint session to discuss with everyone. He's a nobody when it comes to congressional sway. Perhaps congress should have a mechanism for getting feedback form NSA and CIA and other top secret employees who feel like something wrong is going on.

 

good point. it sure seems like the Washington crowd, from both parties, have jumped on the "he's a traitor" band wagon. in a way I want to believe them, especially given that this is the first time in the last six years that both parties have agreed on something.....anything....that said, the other side of that coin is that maybe we should be even more suspicious since Washington is so in lock step.

 

like Mobius I think it would likely be hard to gain the attention of congress but perhaps he could have started with his local congressman....that said, he probably didn't trust anyone in government to help him or, perhaps more so, protect him.