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"My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them." Ah, but I don't believe his actions have b

"My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them." Ah, but I don't believe his actions have been consistent with this motive at all - and actions do speak louder than words. Since publicly revealing himself as the whistleblower, he's made a significant portion of the story about him and not about the issues he claims to care about - for much of the media and public, it's become just another human-interest saga with Snowden as the star. If your sole motive is truly to inform the public about a cause, leak your leaks and then do whatever in hell you can to stay out of the way and not blow it. Perhaps he's just a glory hound, perhaps he really means what he says and didn't realize what effects his actions would have - but either way, Snowden did his cause a lot of damage when he put himself at the center of the story. We'd all be a lot better off if we'd never heard his name.

deleted 13y ago
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spenvo 13y ago
I've heard many people say this, but it's not that simple. By putting a face to the story, he made the story more appealing to mainstream media and interesting to the average citizen. Yes, his stepping forward diluted the dialogue a bit -- but it also increased the exposure of the dialogue immeasurably.
b6 13y ago
He explained why he stepped forward in the original interview: he felt that since he was breaking the law, he owed Americans an explanation as to who he was and why he was doing it. I, for one, really appreciate it. He's taking the high road and doing all that much more damage to the liars and criminals in government.
GregBuchholz 13y ago
A slightly different take: "My Creeping Concern that the NSA Leaker Edward Snowden is not who he Purports to be…" http://www.globalresearch.ca/my-creeping-concern-that-the-nsa-leaker-edward-snowden-is-not-who-he-purports-to-be/5339161 http://www.globalresearch.ca/my-creeping-concern-that-the-ns...
- btilly 13y ago
  That is slightly different? Well coached PR person for the purpose of making us all aware of how scared we should be, to spread public fear is not just slightly different from courageous whistleblower.
bhickey 13y ago
By making himself publicly known he made his assassination a very awkward proposition. Don't forget that Nixon tried to have Daniel Ellsberg killed.
ScottBurson 13y ago
While I too have had moments of wishing he had stayed anonymous -- the story has become more about him than I would like -- I think he probably made the right call by outing himself. Had he simply continued in his job and life, he would probably have been identified eventually -- and then treated like Bradley Manning. Had he gone on the run without exposing himself, he would have been identified quickly, and then the question would be, how long could he last as a fugitive? I think he really took the best path: in the short run, it was wise to be outside US jurisdiction, and in the long run, public opinion will be his best -- possibly only -- protection.

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

spenvo 13y ago

I've heard many people say this, but it's not that simple. By putting a face to the story, he made the story more appealing to mainstream media and interesting to the average citizen. Yes, his stepping forward diluted the dialogue a bit -- but it also increased the exposure of the dialogue immeasurably.

b6 13y ago

He explained why he stepped forward in the original interview: he felt that since he was breaking the law, he owed Americans an explanation as to who he was and why he was doing it. I, for one, really appreciate it. He's taking the high road and doing all that much more damage to the liars and criminals in government.

GregBuchholz 13y ago

A slightly different take: "My Creeping Concern that the NSA Leaker Edward Snowden is not who he Purports to be…" http://www.globalresearch.ca/my-creeping-concern-that-the-nsa-leaker-edward-snowden-is-not-who-he-purports-to-be/5339161 http://www.globalresearch.ca/my-creeping-concern-that-the-ns...

btilly 13y ago
That is slightly different? Well coached PR person for the purpose of making us all aware of how scared we should be, to spread public fear is not just slightly different from courageous whistleblower.

bhickey 13y ago

By making himself publicly known he made his assassination a very awkward proposition. Don't forget that Nixon tried to have Daniel Ellsberg killed.

ScottBurson 13y ago

While I too have had moments of wishing he had stayed anonymous -- the story has become more about him than I would like -- I think he probably made the right call by outing himself. Had he simply continued in his job and life, he would probably have been identified eventually -- and then treated like Bradley Manning. Had he gone on the run without exposing himself, he would have been identified quickly, and then the question would be, how long could he last as a fugitive? I think he really took the best path: in the short run, it was wise to be outside US jurisdiction, and in the long run, public opinion will be his best -- possibly only -- protection.