No western guy who ever defected to Moscow....has ever been considered a hero. I think that fact kind says everything.
If he’d defected to Canada or Tonga....maybe we’d all feel different. Maybe if he’d ever finished anything he started (high school, the Army, his CIA tour, university, etc)...we might feel different. Ed is mostly a guy who steps into something, then stumbles his way out....which leads you to wonder how he can survive in Moscow for the coming years.
Circumstances change. There is a first time for everything. China and Russia move one way, the US moves the opposite. We must change the US's direction or force it to go the way of the USSR.
Maybe if hed ever finished anything he started (high school, the Army, his CIA tour, university, etc)...we might feel different.
You make him sound like Obama sans Affirmative Action.
But Eddie isn't chilled, diluted sugar water. He is one accomplished guy! Who made monkeys out of those deployed to prevent him (and control us)! He is a patriot!