01-06-2014, 08:07 PM
There have been any number of "whistleblowers" that said their piece and then stayed to bear the personal consequences of their service to their country. Some of them on this same issue. That's a patriot.
He claims he wanted to join the Army, defend the Constitution, and/or take a bullet for his country, but we can see, from his flight to avoid the consequences, that's not really the case. It's apparent to me that Snowden doesn't have the courage of his alleged "convictions," and as such, is entirely unworthy to be called a "patriot". It sullies the names and memories of the million Americans that have died in service to our country to mention that term in connection with his name. (I have no specific opinion about whether what he has done constitutes "treason.")
Neither does he qualify as a "whistleblower" in that he failed to bring his specific concerns up the chain of command, nor resign his position in protest. There are many folks who contribute to this website that, daily, show more of the courage of their convictions than Snowden can muster.
He claims he wanted to join the Army, defend the Constitution, and/or take a bullet for his country, but we can see, from his flight to avoid the consequences, that's not really the case. It's apparent to me that Snowden doesn't have the courage of his alleged "convictions," and as such, is entirely unworthy to be called a "patriot". It sullies the names and memories of the million Americans that have died in service to our country to mention that term in connection with his name. (I have no specific opinion about whether what he has done constitutes "treason.")
Neither does he qualify as a "whistleblower" in that he failed to bring his specific concerns up the chain of command, nor resign his position in protest. There are many folks who contribute to this website that, daily, show more of the courage of their convictions than Snowden can muster.