A Victory for Edward Snowden?

[Berzerker]

With the court's rebuke of collecting "meta" data involving communications by the NSA the media is asking if this is a victory for Edward Snowden. And I can only conclude, yes, it is... If Congress has violated the US Constitution and he exposed it, why is he the problem?

On the other hand, if we're at "war" then the Constitution can largely be ignored - habeas corpus can be denied, due process as well. But the nature of this war is much different than historical wars - it may not end in our lifetimes and suspending constitutional protections for decades seems dubious at best.

 

[MobBoss]

Because he did more than just call attention to the meta-data issue.

 

[Berzerker]

and he backed it up with evidence

did he do more than Daniel Ellsberg

 

[Birdjaguar]

Plus many ones for Snowden. Government secrets should be exposed.

 

[JollyRoger]

Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?

 

[Berzerker]

Ellsberg applauded him

 

[nc-1701]

Yes absolutely, I think Snowden will be remembered as one of our(my) generations heroes.

 

[plarq]

War against drugs and war against terrorism may qualify as perpetual wars. Thus, suspending some of the constitutional rights, permanently.

 

[MobBoss]

Plus many ones for Snowden. Government secrets should be exposed.

I would say all government secrets should be exposed...in time. Often, and especially in times of conflict, waiting a bit before you spill the beans can have huge strategic/tactical implications.

Yes absolutely, I think Snowden will be remembered as one of our(my) generations heroes.

I think that's actually sad to be honest. IMHO the guy is still a traitor.

 

[plarq]

Even though he commit treason against the state, I would say he's small one. A person with such strong consciousness will not rise to the high level to access top secret.

 

[Berzerker]

I would say all government secrets should be exposed...in time. Often, and especially in times of conflict, waiting a bit before you spill the beans can have huge strategic/tactical implications.

I think that's actually sad to be honest. IMHO the guy is still a traitor.

but not the politicians who lied us into war and have been spying on us in violation of the Constitution

 

[Birdjaguar]

I would say all government secrets should be exposed...in time. Often, and especially in times of conflict, waiting a bit before you spill the beans can have huge strategic/tactical implications.



I think that's actually sad to be honest. IMHO the guy is still a traitor.

Yes, timing can be important. Would it make a difference to you if the "Edward Snowden" of the story was revealing Enigma encryption secrets or Nazi plans to gas the Jews? Would he still be a traitor in your eyes? Can Snowden be an American traitor and hero to others? Can he also be an American hero?

Must he be one or the other?

 

[Zelig]

I think that's actually sad to be honest. IMHO the guy is still a traitor.

He's a traitor by definition. So was everyone involved in the American rebellion from Britain.

 

[Phrossack]

He's a traitor by definition. So was everyone involved in the American rebellion from Britain.

Treason doth never prosper; what's the reason?

Why, if it prosper, none dare call it treason

 

[Akka]

I think that's actually sad to be honest. IMHO the guy is still a traitor.

The traitors are the ones who violated your rights. What he was, was the actual opposite of treason.

 

[Ajidica]

My biggest issue with Snowden is that he chose to go China and then Russia to avoid extradition to the US.
Countries without extradition treaties with America:
http://www.wsfa.com/story/22665099/countries-with-no-extradition-treaty-with-us
Looking over the list, there are several far less suspicious countries he could have gone to instead of Russia and China. Avoiding extradition by going to China and Russia suggests to me Snowden didn't put a lot of thought into what exactly he was doing.

 

[Samson]

I would say all government secrets should be exposed...in time. Often, and especially in times of conflict, waiting a bit before you spill the beans can have huge strategic/tactical implications.

I generally agree with you, but in a democracy it is important that people know the general kind of thing they are doing, in order to make appropriate decisions at the ballot box. If the reaction to Snowden's leaks were "I did not know they were doing exactly that, but that is pretty much in line with the sort of thing they said they were doing" then the leaks were un-necessary. As it was that people inside the US and friendly governments outside the US were so shocked about the level of surveillance so I think that justifies his actions.

 

[Akka]

My biggest issue with Snowden is that he chose to go China and then Russia to avoid extradition to the US.
Countries without extradition treaties with America:
http://www.wsfa.com/story/22665099/countries-with-no-extradition-treaty-with-us
Looking over the list, there are several far less suspicious countries he could have gone to instead of Russia and China. Avoiding extradition by going to China and Russia suggests to me Snowden didn't put a lot of thought into what exactly he was doing.

Or maybe he chose the biggest rivals of the US by reasoning they were the ones most able to resist any kind of pressure or covert op to bring him back.

 

[Berzerker]

He tried other countries

 

[Kozmos]

My biggest issue with Snowden is that he chose to go China and then Russia to avoid extradition to the US.
Countries without extradition treaties with America:
http://www.wsfa.com/story/22665099/countries-with-no-extradition-treaty-with-us
Looking over the list, there are several far less suspicious countries he could have gone to instead of Russia and China. Avoiding extradition by going to China and Russia suggests to me Snowden didn't put a lot of thought into what exactly he was doing.

Extradition treaties or no, Russia and China are the only countries where the US can't exactly waltz in and pull him out or have their 'associates' do it for them.