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The oath is to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. A lot of people seem to be confused about who the real enemies of the Constitu

The oath is to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. A lot of people seem to be confused about who the real enemies of the Constitution (particularly the Fourth Amendment) are. Put another way: Hopefully you were taught that it is your duty not to obey an unlawful order from a superior. I don't know where you got the idea that he began his career with an intent to leak details of the government's illegal actions. According to him, he came across the report that finally led to the decision purely by accident.

efitz 6y ago
Not true, by his own admission: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1268209/snowden-sought-booz-allen-job-gather-evidence-nsa-surveillance https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1268209/snowden-...
- deleted 6y ago
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- mindfulhack 6y ago
  But who says legitimate whistleblowers have specific rules under which they must do it? (E.g. they must only enter into employment or servitude with zero suspicion of employer or zero intent to leak information of any wrongdoing observed? Isn't that against the very principles of whistleblowing, and even potentially legal protections under whistleblowing laws?) His actions are only seen as a 'sin' if you already agree his whistleblowing wasn't warranted.
- frickinLasers 6y ago
  It's all the same incestuous group of agencies and contractors to me. He was employed by the NSA or CIA (Dell, 2009 or 2011) when he found the report and made his decision. Yeah, he changed positions (and contracting agencies) to collect additional data. He had already long since sworn his oath and received his clearance. Sure, he likely signed a new contract with BAH. If that's where the line between ethical and unethical behavior is located, I guess my worldview needs calibration. I see you've been downvoted. I upvoted your comment, since you posted a factual link and contributed to the discussion.

efitz 6y ago

Not true, by his own admission: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1268209/snowden-sought-booz-allen-job-gather-evidence-nsa-surveillance https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1268209/snowden-...

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
mindfulhack 6y ago
But who says legitimate whistleblowers have specific rules under which they must do it? (E.g. they must only enter into employment or servitude with zero suspicion of employer or zero intent to leak information of any wrongdoing observed? Isn't that against the very principles of whistleblowing, and even potentially legal protections under whistleblowing laws?) His actions are only seen as a 'sin' if you already agree his whistleblowing wasn't warranted.
frickinLasers 6y ago
It's all the same incestuous group of agencies and contractors to me. He was employed by the NSA or CIA (Dell, 2009 or 2011) when he found the report and made his decision. Yeah, he changed positions (and contracting agencies) to collect additional data. He had already long since sworn his oath and received his clearance. Sure, he likely signed a new contract with BAH. If that's where the line between ethical and unethical behavior is located, I guess my worldview needs calibration. I see you've been downvoted. I upvoted your comment, since you posted a factual link and contributed to the discussion.