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
Good patriot
What happened to rewarding & protecting whistle blowers ? Edward Snowden is a True American Patriot !
A HERO…….and a patriot .
He woke up the smart people of America. The entitle are still slurping the kool aid
Patriot! He should be given an award, not jail time! Punishing someone for helping and telling the truth = bull$#%&!@*.
Welllll,,, We wouldn’t have a clue about the spying if he hadn’t blown the whistle, now would we…??? Patriot,
Patriot
HERO.
YEA IF SOME CALLS THE COPS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE THEY ARE PROTECTED BY LAW …THIS GUY HAS MORE COURAGE THEN EVERY ONE TAKING THE 5TH WHEN THEY ARE CALLED TO TESTIFY …OH YEA HE TOLD ON THE LIBERALS (MY BAD)
Here are the facts. We have a government that neither our allies, our enemies, or citizens trust.
We know he spilled information to all of the above. We know he is sitting in the middle of an enemy.
If the government is making us the enemy as they appear to be doing then as where you usually say an enemy of my enemy is my friend, I suppose you could call Snowden a patriot.