Opinions about Edward Snowden and whistleblowers in general do not fall along traditional party lines and a debate at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday is a great example of the division. Representing one side, constitutional attorney Bruce Fein applauded Snowden’s actions, while Jim Gilmore, ex-governor of Virginia called him a “traitor”.
Fein received decent applause. Gilmore got a light applause but even more boos.Fein said Americans were outraged by Snowden’s revelations about the National Security Agency’s controversial metadata collection program, something the agency intended to keep “secret from the American people forever.” Fein portrayed Snowden as a sympathetic figure willing to break the law for the higher purpose of showing Americans what they’re government was doing to them.
Gilmore held up a New York Post from June featuring Snowden and Russian President Vladmir Putin featuring the headline “comrades,” and blasted the whistleblower as a “traitor,” a “coward” and someone who gives “aid and comfort” to America’s enemies.
Fein pointed out that the United States government had not charged Snowden with treason and that when Director of Intelligence James Clapper was asked by Congress if the NSA was spying on every American citizen, Wyden answered no. “In a democracy people have a right to know what their government is doing” said Fein, adding “The American people have forced changes… only because of Mr. Snowden’s revelations.”
What’s your opinion on Snowden? Do you believe he revealed NSA documents as he did in order to help the enemies of America? Or to throw the spotlight on the corruption within?
Constitutional Attorney Bruce Fein – Photo by Gage Skidmore
Source: Rare
Photo: Rare
it’s a violation of several of the bill of rights for the government to spy on the people. The Homeland Security act and the registration of guns laws are unconstitutional, but no one in DC has the balls to challenge either one.
The New American Hero, it took an incredible amount of brass to stand up against Obama’s “Rogue administration”. There will need to be many more American heroes to take down this tyranny!
I guess this was the only way he could make America aware of what was going on. It took a great deal of courage.
As a retired military, one word. TRAITOR!
There was other ways he could have done this…Traitor!
He did a service to Americans, and sacrificed freedom in America for himself.
he may have saved the country from a civil war obam trying to take over the country
I think he did America a favor.
some one needed to make this sacrifice to expose our crappy government, thanks dude
HERO! HE GAVE UP EVERTHING TO REVEAL AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL GOV”T! I SAY KICK OUT & HANG OBAMA! GIVE SNOWDEN A PARADE DOWN PENNSYLVANIA AVE.!