Anyone who has a meaningful relationship with another living creature would appear to have more than this kid. He's basically a young loner with a very high opinion of himself. You can learn a little more about him here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/tracking-edward-snowden-from-a-maryland-classroom-to-a-hong-kong-hotel/2013/06/15/420aedd8-d44d-11e2-b05f-3ea3f0e7bb5a_allComments.html?ctab=all_&

You could say he at least has the courage of his convictions, but it's hard to know exactly what his convictions are and the extent to which they are at all well-formed and/or caught up in his desire for notoriety.

his 122/200k a year could be peanuts compared.

just not enough info yet - more will come.

really, chill out.

What's gonna happen, Glenn is going to sue me? Glenn the big fat liar lawyer?

The timing of the release of information following the failed attempts at creating scandals by the right wing and the resulting media uproar focused on blaming the current Democratic administration, plus the fact that he is employed by a private contractor of military intelligence, makes me suspect that this is possible disinfo & psyops.

He may just be playing a role in this that he will suffer no long-term consequences for and likely be rewarded for his efforts.

Maybe I'm just too cynical. Time will tell.

like you have just done

if we are wrong, we'll find out soon enough.

and for the record, I've always enjoyed your posts and opinions on DU over the years.

Isn't life about just that? My reaction is the same as yours. I'd like to think that I would be that courageous but its doubtful . One thing for sure, his actions set a bar. A cushy job in Hawaii..young and in a relationship with a beautiful young woman .. oh, and possibly relinquishing his freedom and physical well being. Not to mention whistleblowing on the most powerful force in the us govt. Yep, its an impressive action.

how about rosa parks for sitting somewhere she was not allowed to?

how about gay activists when things like sodomy were on the books (like up till 2 years ago for a lot of places in this country?)

Snowden may be way more self-centered than you think.

my own. I am humbled by the sacrifices made by figures like Snowden, Ellsberg and others and can only hope I will show 0.01% of their courage if I should ever be in an analagous position.

But the truth is, this is not about Snowden.
It doesn't matter if he is a hero or not.
It IS about the massive & growing, out-of-control Surveillance/Security State,
those who SUPPORT it,
and those who OPPOSE it.

One aspect of the recent revelations and the controversy that it has generated
is the vitriol and desperation of those who want to discredit Snowden.
If there is no "THERE" there,
and Snowden is just a lying little worm,
WHY such a wildly out-of-proportion retaliation against him?

The over-reaction and extreme vehemence of the conservative Pro-Status Quo forces
in their attacks on Snowden and those who dare to question the Security State makes my Civil Liberties Loving Liberal Spidey Senses tingle.

look at what has happened to Manning.
Amnesty International called his treatment inhumane. Would I want to make myself a target of those folks? Not really..,

especially for a people who dont seem to want to know