Snowden Says He Deserves a Pardon From Obama

[valley ranch]

The government that spied on us, and lied to us claim he gave to China, and that's why they want to punish him. I believe he told and is telling the truth. All that he gave, was given to the reporters and only what became news has been handed over to anyone.

[Private Pickle]

Snowden took the trust invested in him and used it to damage American interests. He is a traitor and should be shot if ever found on American land. What would happen if everyone who has access decides to reveal our secrets to our enemies because the think it a good idea?

Do you have any idea what Snowden revealed and to whom?

[exploited]

I can see it both ways - your argument is solid, but the argument against Snowden is even more so.

It's not. The US government was invading the privacy of hundreds of millions of people, without charge or even a valid national security justification. There is simply no way that these programs are Constitutionally-authorized. In fact, the entire purpose of the Five Eyes Program was to evade Constitutional responsibilities - the logic being that another country spying on your citizens is okay, and they would merely pass that information along.

Snowden is a hero. Period. He will be remembered as the first person in American history to protect the cyber-rights of all Americans, and in doing so, place his life and his reputation at stake. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man - if only other civil servants took their oaths as seriously.

[ripmeister]

This issue really separates those who value their Constitutional rights, and those who do not. I'm frankly shocked to see so many Democrats in here calling for his arrest, charge and even his execution. Meanwhile, ten years ago, these same Democrats would be spazzing out over Bush's support for the Patriot Act - and rightfully so. I don't usually go with these appeals to hypocrisy, but in this instance, the hypocrisy is so vast and damning that I can't help but point it out.

Edward Snowden is a hero, who did something illegal because doing so exposed a much greater illegality. It wasn't an easy choice for him, and he should not be punished for it. He deserves our praise and our respect. There is absolutely zero logical way to argue that these spying programs were Constitutionally valid. He swore to defend the Constitution from all enemies, domestic or foreign, and that is exactly what he did.

That may be but the question is did he break the law? I'm all for situational ethics argument here but that doesn't allow one to escape from the fundamental question of whether one broke the law and whether they should face their accusers. I don't remember all the specifics but I do seem to recall that some things were revealed by the Snowden leaks that put people people in danger.

[Private Pickle]

Meanwhile...in liberal la la land...

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[exploited]

That may be but the question is did he break the law? I'm all for situational ethics argument here but that doesn't allow one to escape from the fundamental question of whether one broke the law and whether they should face their accusers. I don't remember all the specifics but I do seem to recall that some things were revealed by the Snowden leaks that put people people in danger.

He broke a civil non-disclosure agreement.

He upheld his oath of office.

Which do you think should take precedence?

[Peter1469]

Snowden is a hero.

Shoot Bradley.

[ripmeister]

He broke a civil non-disclosure agreement.


He upheld his oath of office.

Which do you think should take precedence?

Not sure, but is it possible to break an agreement and uphold an oath at the same time? Hmmmmm.

[exploited]

Not sure, but is it possible to break an agreement and uphold an oath at the same time? Hmmmmm.

It is when your oath says that you must uphold the constitution, and protect it from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

[Ethereal]

There was no lying.

Everything Snowden 'exposed' was already known, approved and funded. Just because you didn't know about it doesn't mean it was 'secret'.

Well, as long as the invasion of American's privacy was known, approved and funded by politicians, then that's all that matters. Democracy and transparency are so passe.

After leaving the US, Snowden gave documents about spying to China.

There is no evidence to support that claim and you know it.