[Bearshouse]

This interview solidified my thoughts on Snowden. I have heard many FReepers call him a traitor and I've had to mull that over as I respect the diverse opinions I have access to here. But, when you consider the corrupt system he was up against (and we really didn't have a clue back then) who would you trust. He is demonized for not going through proper channels with the information he had, but I have seen Senators and Congressmen that I considered solid, lie and cheat until I am probably more cynical than I should be. If I had evidence of the deep state spying on Americans, I probably would not do things differently.

[lepton]

The issue with Snowden isn’t simply the channels. It is what he shared. He is perhaps to be lauded for showing the spying on US citizens. He is to be condemned for releasing key details about how we spy on foreign governments, including the often-cited ‘methods and procedures’.

His actions created a great deal of damage that will take decades to recover from in regards foreign policy, and even the willingness of allies to work with us.