Posted On June 11, 2014 By In Politics, Rants, The Scene, Up For Debate

Edward Snowden: A True Hero (We Hope)

 
 

“Being a patriot doesn’t mean prioritizing service to government above all else. Being a patriot means knowing when to protect your country, knowing when to protect your Constitution, knowing when to protect your countrymen, from the violations of and encroachments of adversaries. And those adversaries don’t have to be foreign countries.” – Edward Snowden

 

 

All of Snowden’s actions, up to this point, indicate that he is one of the few people who knows what our government is capable of, and has our best interests in mind. There are several things that the United States Government have used to try and discourage its citizens from thinking that Snowden wants to help his country, namely the fact that he will not come back to the United States to stand trial. However, I think everyone can admit that Snowden will not get a chance to prove himself a patriot. However, before he faces the firestorm that’s waiting for him here in what he still calls his home, I would like to assert my belief that Edward Snowden is a true patriot. Yes, a little behind the times and other reporters, but while most Americans have read and forgotten about Snowden’s MSNBC interview, I want to bring attention back to him. Important stories should not be forgotten so soon.

 

“I actually did go through channels, and that is documented. The NSA has records, they have copies of emails right now to their Office of General Counsel, to their oversight and compliance folks, from me raising concerns about the NSA’s interpretations of its legal authorities.”

 

So Snowden claims that he attempted to go through official channels and states that there are e-mails documenting his concern about the government’s intentions. Unfortunately for him, this story contradicts the one that NSA had previously put forward stating that the government had no idea of Snowden’s malicious intent to share government secrets. So in this case, normally I would side with the government. I mean, they’re painting Snowden as a traitor, and a liar, so surely they would uphold their side of the story.

 

BUT OH WAIT, THEY DIDN’T.

 

Shortly after Snowden’s interview aired on MSNBC, the NSA came forward and released one e-mail regarding Snowden’s questions about their surveillance of U.S. Citizens. But…they changed their story from previously, which makes me feel as though more backpedaling, which has apparently become common practice for the United States government, will ensue in regards to the extent of Snowden’s questioning of the NSA. Let it begin! I’m starting to enjoy watching the government scramble to mesh five different stories into one. God forbid they try out the truth.

 

This fact alone makes me want to stand next to Edward Snowden. Why would the NSA change their story if Snowden is the one, in fact, lying? It makes me wonder whose interest the NSA has in mind. It’s certainly not the American people.

 

Meanwhile, Edward Snowden gave up everything he had in America in order to let the American people know what was going on behind our backs, without our knowledge. He came forward for his interview with nothing to gain, and caused the NSA to change their story.

 

I say the American people should adopt the same viewpoint as the NSA; if they have nothing to hide, they shouldn’t fear trauma. It’s time to subject the NSA to the same level of scrutiny that they’ve subjected the people they’re supposed to serve.

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Caitlyn Davis is a writer for Writtalin. A recent graduate of Sam Houston State University, she’s trying to start a career in editing and publishing. To get the bills paid, she works as an editor for a small time publication in Dallas, and in her free time likes to eat, write, and go on adventures with her recently acquired Blue Ferret (yes, there’s a story there). She has a small obsession with Harry Potter, a large Batman collection, and considers herself an amateur foodie with a love of red wine and craft beer.