6 Worst Reactions to Edward Snowden's NSA Leaks

[Bonobo]

http://www.policymic.com/articles/48143/6-worst-reactions-to-edward-snowden-s-nsa-leaks

Edward Snowden's revelations regarding the extent of the National Security Agency's (NSA) surveillance programs have provoked varying reactions, ranging from those who have praised him highly, to those who have said he is guilty of treason and have called for both him and the journalists who reported the story to be prosecuted. Pentagon Papers whistle-blower Daniel Ellsberg argued that "there has not been in American history a more important leak," while unlikely bedfellows Glenn Beck and Michael Moore have both hailed Snowden as a hero.

Others, however, have been less than impressed, to say the least, with his actions. What they all have in common is that they have fallen into the trap, one that is actively being promoted by the government, of buying into the false choice between protecting civil liberties and ensuring national security. Rather than focusing on the actions of the government and its vague, classified justifications for its worryingly far reaching surveillance practices, rather than seeking to defend civil liberties, they have instead levelled their criticisms at Snowden himself and the journalists who reported the story. Here are some of the worst reactions:

1. Snowden is a Traitor

3. Snowden is Guilty Of Treason


5. Snowden is a Narcissist Who Deserves to be in Prison

Jeffrey Toobin, writing for the New Yorker, argues that Snowden is neither a hero nor a whistle-blower but rather a "grandiose narcissist who deserves to be in prison." Others have also called him a narcissist. Despite Snowden's explicit reasoning for his actions, to expose the widespread and shocking extent of U.S. surveillance practices, Toobin claims that his actions speak "more to his ego than his conscience" and that he simply "threw the secrets he knew up in the air."

[Katashi_itto]

1. He dated a Ballerina!!! err pole dancer!!!

[Warren Stupidity]

2. a polish ballerina?

[Katashi_itto]

3. Ooo thats good!

[Thinkingabout]

4. Looks like this post sums up reality.

[Katashi_itto]

5. Pretty much

[snappyturtle]

6. I abhor these viewpoints. It's as if the above participants

and others have been slurping the kool-aid and drooling on the cups
only to set them down on the Constitution that they are using for a
drink coaster. If they stain the Constitution badly enough it will become
the 'Goddamned piece of paper' bush proclaimed it to be. imho

(I'm aware that there is controversy over whether g.w.bush ever scorned
the Consitution with the above words. However, I can't find any denial
from bush...so....)