Opinions about Edward Snowden and whistleblowers in general do not fall along traditional party lines and a debate at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday is a great example of the division. Representing one side, constitutional attorney Bruce Fein applauded Snowden’s actions, while Jim Gilmore, ex-governor of Virginia called him a “traitor”.
Fein received decent applause. Gilmore got a light applause but even more boos.Fein said Americans were outraged by Snowden’s revelations about the National Security Agency’s controversial metadata collection program, something the agency intended to keep “secret from the American people forever.” Fein portrayed Snowden as a sympathetic figure willing to break the law for the higher purpose of showing Americans what they’re government was doing to them.
Gilmore held up a New York Post from June featuring Snowden and Russian President Vladmir Putin featuring the headline “comrades,” and blasted the whistleblower as a “traitor,” a “coward” and someone who gives “aid and comfort” to America’s enemies.
Fein pointed out that the United States government had not charged Snowden with treason and that when Director of Intelligence James Clapper was asked by Congress if the NSA was spying on every American citizen, Wyden answered no. “In a democracy people have a right to know what their government is doing” said Fein, adding “The American people have forced changes… only because of Mr. Snowden’s revelations.”
What’s your opinion on Snowden? Do you believe he revealed NSA documents as he did in order to help the enemies of America? Or to throw the spotlight on the corruption within?
Constitutional Attorney Bruce Fein – Photo by Gage Skidmore
Source: Rare
Photo: Rare
Hero on the nsa or we woulk have know.
Just another sample of disrespect of our country. When you are in a position of trust, you should uphold it.
TRUE PATRIOT
expose our gov. wrong doing…
This country needs MORE whistle blowers to let us know what’s really going on! If we are such a great country, then why are there soo many secrets? Why won’t our government let the people who really make this country run know the truth of what they are really up to? Gotta leave this to the whistle blowers!!!
Edward Snowden is a perfect example of what we the people deserve to know!!! I wouldn’t call him a hero, but a well adjusted knowledgeable American who let the US citizens know for a fact of how corrupt our system is!!! Thank you Edward Snowden!!! We need more courageous people like you in our government!!!
Like most of us today, Snowden figured the people would never hear the truth even if he could get someone in the Senate to listen to him. They haven’t exactly been moving very fast against Obama’s other acts of treason. He could not got to our big media because they very rarely print anything that shows an accurate picture of the real truth. As for Putin- when no one else opened the door for sanctuary, what was Snowden to do- come back and let Obama’s thugs kill him? He left his whole life to warn us and for what? Obama’s idiot supporters don’t even pay attention and wouldn’t know the truth if it hit them in the face. We all have to shoulder part of the blame for what Snowden did because We, the people, allowed this Nation to become what it has become instead of standing our ground in the early years. I know that Putin is all about politics, but I am glad he gave the young man refuge- we owe him for opening our eyes.
he is no traitor, he brought information to the American people that we needed to know and the government didn’t want us to know and were doing against us.
he is a patriot!!!!!!!!!!
he better then Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!