> -- shooting the messenger, casting doubts on his motivations -- and most people were rightly appalled by the spying going on on Americans. Yes, shooting the

> -- shooting the messenger, casting doubts on his motivations -- and most people were rightly appalled by the spying going on on Americans. Yes, shooting the messenger and casting doubts on his motivations were (and are) tactics used when a message reflects poorly on someone or some thing. For what it is worth, in my comments around here, I'm not using these tactics as a way to deflect criticism away from institutions that Snowden criticizes. There was a huge breach of public trust in the NSA. At the same time, it is interesting and important to understand Snowden's motivations.