[AnotherUnixGeek]

Snowden is offering to provide information on classified US programs to foreign states, in return for compensation.

According to Snowden, he didn't - he claims he never passed any documents to Russia or China, though a Chinese newspaper has made that claim. If the government has proof that Snowden passed on classified documents to a foreign nation, for pay or for free, then he absolutely belongs in prison as a traitor.

But to the extent that Snowden has revealed to the US public the capabilities and practices of US government surveillance of innocent citizens, Snowden has performed a public service. And by the very fact that these practices are taking place, the federal government has limited credibility with me when it comes to accusations of treason against Snowden. I want to see the evidence.

[donmeaker]

Snowden is offering to provide classified information on US programs to Brazil, among others, in exchange for asylum.

The offer is treason.

The 4th Amendment on search and seizure doesn’t apply to protect your dealings with a third party, such as a phone company, internet provider.

4th Amendment protections have long been applied by forbidding use of the information obtained without a warrant in trial. The courts have never asserted that such information could not be gathered, but rather, that it could not be used in trial.

Intelligence information is, and has routinely been gathered without any crime being committed.