They weren’t vital they were flagrant breaches of the 4th Amendment and illegal and without Snowden you wouldn’t know about it because Clapper lied to Congress
Some WERE vital. Like I said, he divulged info unrelated to the domestic program. He acted recklessly. Go easy on him, then what stops the next low-level employee to also leak because he/she believes they are justified? Sure, maybe you throw the book at THEM, but then it’s too late.