General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHero Or Traitor: Americans Divided Over US Leaker
AFP | Jun 26, 2013
WASHINGTON: US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has earned praise and condemnation from fellow Americans divided over whether his disclosures make him a whistleblowing hero or a self-absorbed traitor.
But public opinion remains fluid and Snowden's flight from Hong Kong to Moscow could cost him support, possibly recasting him as a mere pawn of America's adversaries.
--CLIP
According to surveys, Americans display "ambivalence" towards Snowden and the National Security Agency surveillance programs that he exposed, with opinions still shifting as the fast-moving drama unfolds, said Carroll Doherty, associate editor of the Pew Research Center.
In a USA Today/Pew poll released June 17, 54 per cent of respondents said Snowden should be prosecuted for his bombshell leaks.
But a YouGov poll earlier this month showed 35 per cent of Americans opposed putting Snowden on trial, with 26 per cent in favour and the rest undecided.
MORE...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Hero-or-traitor-Americans-divided-over-US-leaker/articleshow/20772217.cms
7 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
Hero? | |
2 (29%) |
|
Traitor? | |
4 (57%) |
|
Other? | |
1 (14%) |
|
0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Neither a hero nor a traitor.
He should have written a book instead.
The real problem here is that things that should be illegal are legal under the Patriot Act. You can't "Whistle blow" about things that are legal. Now he is stuck in a downward spiral trying to justify his actions. He shouldn't be disclosing things about us spying on other countries but guess what... we spy on other countries. No surprise there. His giving away details is what is getting him in trouble.
Yes, I know I will get flamed by both sides here but I had to take this opportunity to state my opinion.
mick063
(2,424 posts)I'll write a book instead. Thanks for the tip.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Man, I was expecting better flames than that one.
mick063
(2,424 posts)The wise men in long robes say informing folks they are being spied on is illegal. Or conversely, spying on US citizens is legal.
I truly understood the context of your post.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)His motives seem less pure as he continues to milk his status as international anti-hero fugitive. I have a hard time finding anything redeeming in the results when his behavior indicates that he is on an ego-driven mission.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)for. Shame on them.
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)still
Edward Snowden is a modern day Paul Revere with a thumb drive full of the news that Tyranny is coming!
11 Bravo
(23,928 posts)Robb
(39,665 posts)Robb
(39,665 posts)term.
That said, it looks increasingly like he's been played six ways to Sunday by a variety of parties.
I do think he, at least at one point, was convinced by himself or others he was being a hero. Cliche, but there it is.
Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)and fugitive from justice.