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The crux of the issue for Snowden is whether he is viewed by the public as a whistle-blower or traitor. These companies have staked out a position, off the bac
by teamgb 13y ago
The crux of the issue for Snowden is whether he is viewed by the public as a whistle-blower or traitor.
These companies have staked out a position, off the back of his endeavors, yet lack the courage and conviction to fully support him.
It makes me cringe to see Larry Page, Marissa Mayer et al posting weasel words on a web-site, as though they are champions of the people.
In the week that Nelson Mandela passed away, the contrast between giants and dwarves could not be clearer.
- trekky1700 13y agoSnowden didn't do this for publicity or to be grand-standed, he did it because he believed it was right. I think he would agree that he is not the issue people should be discussing. Instead, it should be how to fix the problems he brought to light.
- ggreer 13y agoThese companies want the conversation to be about surveillance, not Snowden. Had Snowden been mentioned in the letter, it would have set off a distracting debate. They probably appreciate what he did, but publicly thanking Snowden isn't going to help them achieve their goals.
- rdl 13y agoSnowden is also not the only whistleblower. To some extent, the more-limited actions by Binney, Wiebe, and Drake were even more amazing because they were without precedent (at NSA); Snowden went far beyond them, but had their example in mind.