Just a few minutes ago I was wondering if they caught the guy and are just making a media frenzy to divert the attention. But I think Julian Assange from Wikileaks would say something since he's been monotiring the situation and Snowden's whereabouts.

He is a hero in my book more people should do what he did.

He did the right thing, but he should've chosen another country to flee to. There really was no need to include both China and Russia in this mess.

I would love to hear from the people who see him as a coward or 'snitch' (traitor), but I imagine they would prefer to keep their anonymity on the matter. A pity ... it would make for interesting discussion.

The government should have realized that when they do this kind of thing, that a lot will have a problem with it, and that they will talk.

Hero (ish). Stupid one, so the comparison to Snow is appropriate, but still a hero (ish). I'm sure that when he went to Russian authorities knocked him up and at least tried very hard to hand over whatever unreleased material he's got. What kind of idiot consents to an interview then runs to Russia?


Seriously, though, America is supposed to be a democracy. As a voter, I am supposed to be the final authority on practically everything. The president, the congress, the courts? They are literally my employees on my tax payroll. That's the right every voter has, otherwise there's no point in voting.

Not only does the NSA have the nerve to pass a program like this--which has direct implications on how people live their lives--in secret, but they have the voracity to lie about it being "only metadata" when they're questioned about it? Who do you think you are, the KGB?!

And it doesn't take a brainy one to figure out this can be combined with the newly legalized "drones used on citizens" to make Big Brother look like a small fry.

Everyone who knew about this program and kept mum is guilty of high treason. They have betrayed a fundamental principle of American government, that voters are the final authority in this nation. I'll make an exception to the "take them behind a shed and shoot them" approach, but they definitely need to be fired. Without benefits. We don't need traitors making our budget problems worse. [/rant]

Snowden, whats that a new Pokemon??

So now we know who the goverment agent is on this site!! it's Spurgeonryan!! I knew he was spending too much time on this site!

Here's an argument from someone who would call him a "Traitor". If you're gonna reply, make sure you read the whole post.

First of all, it is undeniable that what the Government is doing is a violation of our rights. There is no argument here. The government deserves the backlash they are receiving. The people have the right to be angry, and the government really has no say in the matter. 

Everyone worried that their privacy is being violated. But you have to remember that because of the secrecy of the program and because the program covers millions and millions of people, most of us will not be affected on a personal level. You have nothing to fear unless you are a terrorist. The government would not use the evidence they can obtain from these programs on just any matter of criminal offense. They would not risk being exposed.  And if anyone is afraid of their private matters being exposed, or a government official knowing what you do (whether it be cheating, child pornography, and other embarrassing things), it's not like the government officials are even gonna care. They are technically monitoring millions of people. You are just a name and nothing else. They don't care what you do, as long as it does not involve spying, terrorism,  or whatever acts they deem a matter of national security. 

 Sometimes, and I know many of you won't agree with this, it's better that the public not be informed of everything. The programs that the government is hiding from us is only meant to protect us. If Snowden did not reveal the government's secrets, us non-terrorist U.S. citizens could only be affected positively.

It is expected that the public will get angry. Humans are selfish by nature and they don't like to consider the big picture. But don't you wish that the government was able to prevent the recent Boston Bombings or even 9/11? Sure, the government was not able to prevent these tragic events, but imagine if they did. Would you still be angry at the government if they saved your close family member because of these programs?

To be honest, Snowden's action did not accomplish anything. Maybe the government will say that they will stop these programs, but I'm sure that they are still going to continue doing what they are trying to do to protect us. But now it is going to be harder for them because they can't get caught by the public again. 

And why reveal yourself? I'm sure that he could have done it anonymously.