Politics and Business

Snowden: A Hero With Villain Paint

A few days after the Edward Snowden files were released, I got a call from my friend who works with the military. He told me, “As much as I love you and my family, if I were him, I’d do it too. I’d have to do it, for the good of this country, our people, and our freedom.”

It may sound unpatriotic, even blasphemous.  

Imagine you were Edward Snowden. Imagine you had discovered that the government was collecting data from its citizens without their knowledge. And then imagine you had a family.  What would you do, if you were Edward Snowden?

Many people believe that they’d be willing to sacrifice their life as it is for the good of the public, but most people also underestimate how much they would do for their family.  I’m the type of person that will choose my loved ones over almost everything else. Yet, if I were Edward Snowden, I would have felt a duty to leak those files. This was just too big. And I agree with my friend: it was for the public good and liberties of Americans. Why is that?

One of the unseen bedrocks of Americans’ freedom is precisely that we are raised in a culture where the right to liberty is inculcated in us from birth.

Which means that, in large part, our freedom is protected by people such as whistleblowers. We have people like Edward Snowden, and we have people like the journalists who feel the need to expose scandals, despite the risks. One of the greatest insurances to our liberty is that we will always have political martyrs.
Our government focuses on protecting the citizenry from what they perceive to be threats to national security. Someone needs to protect the citizenry from threats to its freedom from government intervention.

Transparency is one effective way to assure that that happens, and where there is no inherent transparency, whistleblowers can create transparency. The harm in actions like this comes, of course, when leaks compromise the safety of the American public and defense forces. Yet, despite the government’s claims that the impact was “grave”, there is no evidence of actual harm to American citizens.

73 thoughts on “Snowden: A Hero With Villain Paint”

  6. 不為人知！5 個令你生暗瘡的壞習慣 暗瘡的成因很多，最常見的是油性皮膚清楚做得不好，堵塞了毛孔，其次是潔面不夠徹底，再來就是飲食習慣，嚐辣及煎炸食物的。若你改善了以上習慣，暗瘡問題仍然嚴重，那你就應該檢查自己有沒有以下壞習慣：

  7. Sculptra 含有由含有源於植物果酸的 PLLA 聚左乳酸(poly-L-lactic acid)，它能促進天然膠原蛋白大量增生，令容顏重現年輕，一個療程的效果能持續逾2年。Sculptra 乃全球唯一獲美國食物及藥物管理局(美國FDA)認可的PLLA聚左乳酸美容品牌。Sculptra 塑然雅會被人體自然分解吸收，同時促進天然膠原蛋白再生1。療程效果可以漸進地給你更富清新朝氣的容頻，效果自然，更不會影響面部表情。SCULPTRA 塑然雅 Sculptra 由含有源於植物果酸的PLLA聚左乳酸(poly-L-lactic acid)，它可以被新陳代謝成二氧化碳及水，最終自體內排出。PLLA聚左乳酸早已被廣泛應用於醫療用品超過30年，自2009年起 Sculptra 及全球唯一獲美國FDA認可的PLLA聚左乳酸美容醫學品牌。Sculptra ® 塑然雅能促進天然膠原蛋白大量增生1，改善皺紋，令容顏重現年輕。全球唯一獲美國FDA認可PLLA聚左乳酸。臨床研究證實於3個月間，肌膚的膠原蛋白密度 顯著增加67％2。療程效果能持續愈2年3。主要成份PLLA聚左乳酸源於植物果酸，醫學界廣泛使用超過30年。

  8. 【彩妝教學。影音】大臉變小臉。修容彩妝♥♥個人消水腫的方法 @ B2B崔咪TRAMY :: 痞客邦 :: 今天這招小臉超級實用的喔~~就是找一個比妳臉大的東西拍照就對了XDDD 說完被飛踢走XDD但是其實有用對不對… 好啦，說正經的，通常出國或是女生好朋友來之前，身體和臉都非常容易水腫，像我去大

  13. Venus Viva™對所有皮膚類型都是安全的，並使用革命性的Nano Fractional Radio Frequency™(納米點陣射頻™）和Smart Scan™(智能掃描™）技術，通過選擇性真皮加熱，從而提供優異的治療效果。使用Nano Fractional RF™將能量透過表皮傳遞至真皮，從而產生熱量，並啟動膚膚的生理機制，重建膠原蛋白及刺激纖維母細胞，最終刺激導致組織重塑。功效:✔改善膚質✔肌膚緊緻✔減淡妊娠紋✔痤瘡及暗瘡疤痕✔減淡細紋及皺紋✔面部肌膚賦活再生 適合面部及頸部

  16. Howdy are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  17. After conceding in the fifth minute, Jurgen Klopp’s side bounced back to lead 2-1 with goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, only for a lapse in concentration to allow an equaliser. Liverpool must learn defensive lessons after Champions League draw with Sevilla, insists captain Jordan Henderson

  18. I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

  23. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  24. I have to show my appreciation to this writer for rescuing me from this particular issue. After researching throughout the internet and seeing recommendations which were not powerful, I thought my entire life was well over. Living minus the strategies to the issues you have sorted out by way of your article content is a critical case, as well as the kind that could have badly affected my career if I had not come across the blog. That training and kindness in maneuvering all the details was priceless. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a point like this. I am able to at this time relish my future. Thanks for your time so much for this skilled and amazing guide. I will not hesitate to suggest the sites to any individual who should have assistance on this problem.

  25. Hi there, I discovered your blog by the use of Google while searching for a similar subject, your web site got here up, it appears to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  26. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

  28. Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to understand so much about this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I think that you simply can do with some p.c. to pressure the message home a bit, however instead of that, that is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

  29. I carry on listening to the news bulletin speak about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i get some?

  30. My spouse and i have been thankful Albert could conclude his studies from your precious recommendations he came across when using the blog. It’s not at all simplistic just to possibly be giving freely tips that some others may have been trying to sell. And now we realize we’ve got the website owner to thank for this. The specific explanations you have made, the straightforward website navigation, the friendships you can give support to foster – it’s all amazing, and it’s really helping our son in addition to our family consider that this content is fun, and that is exceedingly mandatory. Thank you for all the pieces!

  31. Hi! I’ve been following your weblog for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent work!

  32. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.

  34. Hello there I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  35. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the
    favor”.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  36. great post, very informative. I’m wondering why the other specialists of this sector do not realize this.
    You should proceed your writing. I am confident, you’ve
    a huge readers’ base already!

  38. great points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

  39. This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
    Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Many thanks!

  40. I will immediately grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me realize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  41. Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

  42. Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this subject for ages and
    yours is the greatest I have discovered till now.
    But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to
    the supply?

  43. This is a very good tip especially to those new
    to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing
    this one. A must read post!

  44. My family every time say that I am wasting my time here at net, however
    I know I am getting familiarity every day by reading thes good posts.

  45. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you
    might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over
    time.

  46. I am no longer positive the place you’re getting your info, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time studying much more or figuring
    out more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be in search of this
    information for my mission.

  51. Cialis 20mg Uk Online Aciphex accutane online for sale cialis Sildenafil 25 Mg Online Bestellen Le Viagra Rend Sourd Provera In Germany Tablet With Next Day Delivery

  52. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A few of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.

    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?

  56. Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

  57. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
    Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for
    my mission.

  59. Hey, your blog is very interesting.. Also it was something I’m able to definitely relate to Ill constantly stop by in your blog so I we do hope you continue making fun and interesting posts such as this one…

  64. Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Many thanks

  67. Whats up are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  68. Thanks , I’ve just been searching for information approximately this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the supply?

  70. I do consider all the ideas you have presented to your post. They are very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for starters. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

Leave a Reply