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A Boring Non-Debate: Snowden

OK, first off, I think Snowden did the right thing.  Maybe not for the perfect reasons, or in the smartest fashion, but he did the absolutely right thing, and it was about time somebody did it.

I think he did the right thing because it was the right thing to do for humanity.  Not for the United States, its Constitution, or any pseudo-patriotic jingoist crap.  It will only wake the public up a microscopic amount for a few minutes, but anything is better than nothing.

That said, I keep seeing three major threads in the pseudo-debate in the noosphere:

• He is a traitor for betraying national security

This is the standard line from those who have egg on their face because they were caught.  “Because we say so” without any other information or proof.  These hypocrites are not worth wasting bits on - the Nazis had the same morals.

• He is a hero/patriot for protecting the Constitution

The Constitution is sushi,  a dead letter, a bad joke.  It was a nice idea, but it has been violated more times than a whore at a bachelor party.  Nobody in Washington really cares, except for the well heeled, well connected lawyers that make LOTS of money at the public trough on the pretense.

• He is a traitor to his employer for violating their trust.

What an absolute crock of shit.  There is no trust there.  The companies either assume that you have imbibed the Kool-Aid, or could care less.  I suspect Snowden’s employer was the typical government contractor body shop - X number of bodies for $Y, with the proper paperwork filled out on each, pocket the profit and end of discussion.  A racket without risk and with a good profit margin - Snowden is the one taking all the heat, and the company won’t even break a sweat over it after the initial PR problems fade out.

Unfortunately there are only so many Snowdens to go around - most people would rather eat than take a stand, and there are certainly no stalwarts in our so-called “leadership” to set a better example.  The only “standouts” around are certified nut-jobs - Rand Paul, for example - and they aren’t taking any real risks for this kid, so he is hamburger.  Once his 15 minutes of fame are over in the public eye, he will probably die screaming in some “special rendition” camp at the hands of some of the more fanatical among his countrymen to set an example for would-be leakers, with the video posted “anonymously” on YouTube for good measure.  I feel for the kid, but at least he will have done something in his own way to improve the world.

Now I have to face my shame (again) at being among that balls-less majority that would rather eat and reproduce than rock the boat. Damn.

Addendum:  Someone else being punished for doing the right thing. Grey areas are dangerous indeed, when you embarrass someone powerful.