Let Me Show You Why Edward Snowden is a Traitor and Not a Patriot
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From the article http://www.forwardprogressives.com/let-me-show-why-edward-snowden-traitor-not-patriot/
For the sake of argument lets say that everything Snowden stole pertaining to possible illegal activity by the NSA is 100% legit and every last bit of it is proven to be unconstitutional. Then yes, I would agree that hes a patriot and a hero for risking everything to take that stand.
Except thats not all he stole, nor is it all that hes leaked.
Telling a newspaper in China that the United States government spied on Chinese computers isnt revealing unconstitutional surveillance of Americans and leaking that classified information is illegal.
Writing an open letter trying to get Brazil to grant him political asylum by offering to help Brazil investigate United States surveillance, because Snowden leaked information about the U.S. spying on the Brazilian government, isnt standing up for the Constitutional rights of Americans.
Saying that the NSA is in bed with Germany and other governments, working together on elaborate surveillance programs, isnt protecting the freedom of American citizens.
Leaking documents showing that Sweden has helped the United States spy on Russia isnt being a patriot.
merrily
(45,251 posts)1. The USG should not have been using our tax dollars to spy on us without telling us.
2. The USG is violating the 4th Amendment --and what Scalia and his buddies or even Democratic nominated Justices may say to the contrary someday will not alter my view of the 4th Amendment, or of Scalia and his pals, or of the partisan nature of todays' SCOTUS.
3. I am glad that that info is out.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)SamKnause
(13,037 posts)Chan790
(20,176 posts)Stuckinthebush
(10,816 posts)Betray - to give aid or information to an enemy
So, using these definitions Snowden is indeed a traitor because surely some of the information he released has aided the ever present "enemy".
Simple.
But, the larger question remains. Did Snowden release this information to harm the ideals of the US or to help? The fact that the US government has been collecting information on citizens is important for us to know. Is it ok for the government to do this? Snowden didn't think so and perhaps he felt he was acting as a patriot by letting all of us know.
Patriot - One who loves, supports and defends his country.
Damn, that makes it more difficult then. Is he a traitor or a patriot? He certainly feels that he is defending the ideals of his country by letting us know what this country is doing in our name. This is certainly patriotic. He isn't trying to hasten the fall of this country is he? No, it would seem that he wants us and the world to know that the government has been violating its own ideals.
So, a case can be made for both. We need an in between word.
Me? I'm glad to know what I know and would not have known it had it not been for Snowden. Although some of that info is harmful in the short term perhaps it is helpful in the long term.
FBaggins
(26,693 posts)Benedict Arnold was also not 100% villain. Nevertheless... he was a traitor.
Stuckinthebush
(10,816 posts)I don't think it can be demonstrated that he meant to harm the ideals of the US. But, he did give information to the "enemy". But, he likely felt he was acting patriotically. But, some information has caused irreparable harm. But, that information has started a much needed conversation that will perhaps strengthen us.
I'm not comfortable with the simple in this case. It's too easy.
FBaggins
(26,693 posts)He couldn't possibly (rationally) believe that he was "acting patriotically" by releasing that kind of information.
If he stuck to information that was arguably evidence of unconstitutional behavior, he could reasonably feel that way... but he didn't.
Stuckinthebush
(10,816 posts)He says that he was acting patriotically. Many agree.
Hence the need for a different word.
FBaggins
(26,693 posts)We certainly don't need a word that implies that he gets to decide whether he's a traitor.
Does he make an argument re: why espionage against a foreign power could possibly be unconstitutional? It has existed as long as we've been a nation (George Washington was our first spy master).
Many agree.
Obviously on the "enemy of my enemy" theory... but that's not good enough. They need to recognize that it's possible for someone to do something that you support... without accepting that anything else they ever do must be a good thing.