Edward Snowden Research Paper
Frankie Singer
Creative Writing 10
Laura MacDonald
24 April 2014
Edward Snowden: A True American
In the summer of 2013, a system administrator released classified information regarding the National Security Agency’s wiretapping and surveillance of the American people and the leaders of foreign powers. Hailed as a hero by some and a traitor by others, Edward Snowden fled to Russia after revealing the NSA’s secret operations in an interview with The Guardian, a UK-based news source, in Hong Kong. These acts were condemned by the United States government who aimed to extradite Snowden on the charges of theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information, and willful communication of classified …show more content…
intelligence to an unauthorized person. A number of politicians and government officials have called for Snowden to be indicted and tried for his crimes against his country. Ex-CIA director James Woolsey is a prime example of this, saying that “He should be prosecuted for treason. If convicted by a jury of his peers, he should be hanged by his neck until he is dead" (Tomlinson).
On the other hand, former presidential-candidate and Texas representative, Ron Paul pleaded the Obama administration to grant Snowden clemency due to the fact that he “sacrificed his livelihood, citizenship, and freedom by exposing the disturbing scope of the NSA 's worldwide spying program.” He also praised Snowden saying, “Thanks to one man 's courageous actions, Americans know about the truly egregious ways their government is spying on them” (RT USA).
According to journalist John Cassidy of The New Yorker, Snowden should be hailed as a hero for his revelations of “uncovered questionable activities that those in power would rather have kept secret” (Cassidy).
Cassidy points out that the treatment of Snowden is inappropriate due to the fact that the information leaked did not compromise any NSA algorithms or names that could jeopardize the lives and the safety of not only employees of the NSA but the American people. Cassidy quotes Glenn Greenwald who interviewed Snowden when he disclosed the facts. “Snowden spent months meticulously studying every document.” This means that unlike other hackers who just upload classified documents on the Internet, he delivered it to the world in a way which would cease to affect the National Security of the United …show more content…
States.
The Huffington Post’s Daniel Raphael has said that Snowden, “demonized by the mainstream media, is beyond all else a hero” (Raphael).
Raphael praises Snowden because of his aims to preserve and respect the privacy and lives of the American people. He also points out that these charges against Snowden are un-American and contradictory to the first amendment “as it violates freedom of speech in a very real way, as we have now all been labeled as guilty until proven innocent.”
The Editorial Board for the New York Times believes that although Snowden committed a crime, but did the rightful thing for his country. They defend his actions by stating, “Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed, and the abuses he has exposed, Mr. Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight” (New York Times). This means that the general public support Snowden because of the respect he has for basic privacy
rights.
In conclusion, John Cassidy and Daniel Raphael have made convincing statements about supporting Snowdens actions instead of condemning them. Snowden is quoted saying “I am neither a traitor nor a hero. I 'm an American" (Raphael). This shows that Snowden had no intention of putting the United States’ national security at risk. He simply believed that the wiretapping and surveillance was unconstitutional and invaded the basic right of privacy. Edward Snowden may not be accepted by a hero by all but if not for him, the government would still be listening to our phone calls and emails. Works Cited:
"Why Edward Snowden Is a Hero." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 10 June 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This source was used to support Snowden 's actions.
Raphael, Daniel. "Why Edward Snowden Is a Hero." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Nov. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This article was used to compare with Cassidy 's article
Tomlinson, Lucas. "Ex-CIA Director: Snowden Should Be 'hanged ' If Convicted for Treason." Fox News. FOX News Network, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This article was used to credit Woolsey for his quote
RT USA. "Ron Paul Launches Clemency Petition for Edward Snowden." RT USA. RT, 14 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This source was used to cite Ron Paul
Editorial Board. "Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower." The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
Creative Writing 10
Laura MacDonald
24 April 2014
Edward Snowden: A True American
In the summer of 2013, a system administrator released classified information regarding the National Security Agency’s wiretapping and surveillance of the American people and the leaders of foreign powers. Hailed as a hero by some and a traitor by others, Edward Snowden fled to Russia after revealing the NSA’s secret operations in an interview with The Guardian, a UK-based news source, in Hong Kong. These acts were condemned by the United States government who aimed to extradite Snowden on the charges of theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national defense information, and willful communication of classified …show more content…
intelligence to an unauthorized person. A number of politicians and government officials have called for Snowden to be indicted and tried for his crimes against his country. Ex-CIA director James Woolsey is a prime example of this, saying that “He should be prosecuted for treason. If convicted by a jury of his peers, he should be hanged by his neck until he is dead" (Tomlinson).
On the other hand, former presidential-candidate and Texas representative, Ron Paul pleaded the Obama administration to grant Snowden clemency due to the fact that he “sacrificed his livelihood, citizenship, and freedom by exposing the disturbing scope of the NSA 's worldwide spying program.” He also praised Snowden saying, “Thanks to one man 's courageous actions, Americans know about the truly egregious ways their government is spying on them” (RT USA).
According to journalist John Cassidy of The New Yorker, Snowden should be hailed as a hero for his revelations of “uncovered questionable activities that those in power would rather have kept secret” (Cassidy).
Cassidy points out that the treatment of Snowden is inappropriate due to the fact that the information leaked did not compromise any NSA algorithms or names that could jeopardize the lives and the safety of not only employees of the NSA but the American people. Cassidy quotes Glenn Greenwald who interviewed Snowden when he disclosed the facts. “Snowden spent months meticulously studying every document.” This means that unlike other hackers who just upload classified documents on the Internet, he delivered it to the world in a way which would cease to affect the National Security of the United …show more content…
States.
The Huffington Post’s Daniel Raphael has said that Snowden, “demonized by the mainstream media, is beyond all else a hero” (Raphael).
Raphael praises Snowden because of his aims to preserve and respect the privacy and lives of the American people. He also points out that these charges against Snowden are un-American and contradictory to the first amendment “as it violates freedom of speech in a very real way, as we have now all been labeled as guilty until proven innocent.”
The Editorial Board for the New York Times believes that although Snowden committed a crime, but did the rightful thing for his country. They defend his actions by stating, “Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed, and the abuses he has exposed, Mr. Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight” (New York Times). This means that the general public support Snowden because of the respect he has for basic privacy
rights.
In conclusion, John Cassidy and Daniel Raphael have made convincing statements about supporting Snowdens actions instead of condemning them. Snowden is quoted saying “I am neither a traitor nor a hero. I 'm an American" (Raphael). This shows that Snowden had no intention of putting the United States’ national security at risk. He simply believed that the wiretapping and surveillance was unconstitutional and invaded the basic right of privacy. Edward Snowden may not be accepted by a hero by all but if not for him, the government would still be listening to our phone calls and emails. Works Cited:
"Why Edward Snowden Is a Hero." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 10 June 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This source was used to support Snowden 's actions.
Raphael, Daniel. "Why Edward Snowden Is a Hero." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Nov. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This article was used to compare with Cassidy 's article
Tomlinson, Lucas. "Ex-CIA Director: Snowden Should Be 'hanged ' If Convicted for Treason." Fox News. FOX News Network, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This article was used to credit Woolsey for his quote
RT USA. "Ron Paul Launches Clemency Petition for Edward Snowden." RT USA. RT, 14 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. .
This source was used to cite Ron Paul
Editorial Board. "Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower." The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.