Last week, Edward Snowden asked for clemency from the United States Government and to “no longer be treated as a traitor.” The damage he has done to the international community, to trust in authority has been significant, and although the government may act unethically it was not Snowden’s right to leak classified intelligence to anyone.
In the NY times article, Snowden insists “my government continues to treat dissent as defection, and seeks to criminalize political speech with felony charges that provide no defense. However, speaking the truth is not a crime. I am confident that with the support of the international community, the government of the United States will abandon this harmful behavior.”
He further argues that “systematic violations of law by my government that created a moral duty to act,” have had positive effects.”
Snowden had a responsibility to confidentiality. He was arrogant and rash and could not have possibly comprehended the negative impacts that his “revelations” may have. He compromised national security which could cost lives in the future because of the scope, magnitude, internal complexity of national security. One person’s act may have long lasting ramifications on the lives others and therefore speaking the truth is a crime.
Certainly any government can act hypocritically or break the law, but the world is becoming more integrated and complex. If Snowden believes that other countries aren’t trying to do similar things or achieve similar techniques, then he is a fool.
The hypocritical irony to this debacle is that Snowden received free speech awards in Russia, a country that actively prosecutes free speech, kills journalists, eliminates protests, and is notorious for its intelligence agencies (former KGB now SVR and FSB) and their ruthlessness.
If Snowden actually believes he’s helping anyone, he is wrong and narrow minded. Thus far, Snowden has only helped to ensue mistrust among allies who actively spy on each other even if it is not public, and strengthen the intelligence and cyberspace arms race among enemies of the United States and its allies.
Meanwhile, Snowden has loss perspective on all the human freedoms found in a democracy like the United States in hopes to encourage the delusion of perfection while serving as a PR puppet to the Putin Regime, enhancing both the authoritarian state of Russia from within and abroad.
Snowden is delusional and deserves no clemency especially since he has lost the perspective that many intelligence agencies across the world do equal if not far more sinister activities in the name of power.