Edward Snowden Persuasive

Throughout the past century there have been multiple incidents breeding distrust and contention between the government and civilians. There was McCarthy communist “witch-hunt ” of the sixties; the series of illegal activities associated with the Watergate scandal, and most recently the illegal the National Security Agencies illegal monitoring of citizens, borough to light by Edward Snowden. “Edward Snowden, Whistler- Blower” by The Editorial Board offers a sympathetic perspective at the noble effort and plight of Edward Snowden who is currently in hiding to avoid criminal charges for exposing the National Security Agency’s unlawful collection of personal information of citizens, including email messages and information about phone calls. The Editorial Board argues that Snowden should not be punished for his actions. Although his actions were illicit by law the article claims “When someone reveals that government officials have deliberately broken the law, that person should not face life in prison at the hands of the same government.” Despite some who believe that Snowden should be punished for the illegal release I too believe that people who reveal injustices should not face criminal charges if their means in releasing the information resulted in no harm.

As a NSA contractor Snowden Edward Snowden’s expose was positive for all citizens of the United Sates because it allowed us access to injustices being committed by the same agency implemented to protect us. If the NSA and other government-regulated agencies, are committing crimes against the American people we should be aware. The Editorial Board claims that Internet companies are now reconfiguring their encryption in defense against hacking by government agencies. Perhaps this will result in a personal information being safer online. This leak may also discourage future unfounded surveillance. According to the article President Obama’s own panel “issued a powerful indictment of the agency’s invasion of