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Snowden didn't break the law. He uncovered other people breaking the law. If it is illegal to do something (like the NSA surveillance techniques) and that somet

Snowden didn't break the law. He uncovered other people breaking the law. If it is illegal to do something (like the NSA surveillance techniques) and that something is done then the rest of the laws surrounding state secrets automatically become devoid. That is the only way a sane working democratic society can function. If it is illegal to uncovered illegality then it sets a precedent that every witness to a crime will have to be tried as a defendant. The Snowden situation is absurd and anyone who says he broke the law is revealing themselves as the enemy of the people and of the country.

dllthomas 11y ago
I think what's being alleged, by the most sane portions of the other side, is that while some of the things he revealed may have been illegal, some of the things were not and so he should be punished (or at least stand trial) for revealing those things.
AndrewKemendo 11y ago
He uncovered other people breaking the law. Despite an appeals court decision on illegality, because of the way that Congress revamped what was previously Section 215's language, and ended some of the previous programs, it has not been officially taken that what they did was illegal - that is, named as culpable certain groups or individuals that broke stated laws. As a result, under common law and procedures of the courts/congress, technically the only one who has broken a law was Snowden. I'm not arguing right or wrong, I am just say that you are technically wrong under legal statute.
- rorykoehler 11y ago
  My comment was more a reflection on how messed up a system is if this is how it works. Morally the law is unjust therefore it can't be right and I'm with MLK on this one: "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."

dllthomas 11y ago

I think what's being alleged, by the most sane portions of the other side, is that while some of the things he revealed may have been illegal, some of the things were not and so he should be punished (or at least stand trial) for revealing those things.

AndrewKemendo 11y ago

He uncovered other people breaking the law. Despite an appeals court decision on illegality, because of the way that Congress revamped what was previously Section 215's language, and ended some of the previous programs, it has not been officially taken that what they did was illegal - that is, named as culpable certain groups or individuals that broke stated laws. As a result, under common law and procedures of the courts/congress, technically the only one who has broken a law was Snowden. I'm not arguing right or wrong, I am just say that you are technically wrong under legal statute.

rorykoehler 11y ago
My comment was more a reflection on how messed up a system is if this is how it works. Morally the law is unjust therefore it can't be right and I'm with MLK on this one: "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws."