It could end up being Russia, or it could end up being somewhere else.

In espionage, I usually understand it to mean "collaboratibg with, sharibg secrets with". Simply transiting Russia doesn't make hin a defector to Russia in that sense.

But I get your angle.

Though Snowden says he has many to share.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/defect?s=t

to desert a cause, country, etc., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from or to ): He defected from the U.S.S.R to the West.

And anyway I made it clear that I was talking about "defection" as it pertains to espionage and not the more loose dictionary definition...

apparently.

ETA: Mr. Soze. Fascinating name for you, too. LOL.

Snowden called out the government for violating our most sacred rights as citizens. NO ONE can tamper with those rights.

Snowden has brought to light the unlawful conduct of those who would spy on their own citizens. He is a truth-teller and whistle-blower.

My bad.

Well we must then hang him based on some vague "some"!!

That's the rational thing to do.

Though knee-jerk terms such as "traitor" are easily invoked to avoid talking about our personal responsibility to make moral decisions.

...ignoring as it does the possibility of multiple levels of loyalty. Absolute adherence to the letter of Snowden's contract and/or his oath might conflict with each other, and both of those with his loyalty to our interests.

I can't prove that Snowden's were all altruistic, but if he can ultimately be said to have acted much more in support of the Constitution than he did against specific regulations, the word "traitor" would be seen as the simplistic label it is--at this point, at least, before we know what he has done and why.

You and I may have much cause to change our opinions before we learn all we are allowed to learn. Why make up our minds in the first two weeks?