If Edward Snowden hadn't revealed secret NSA files, the American people would still not know that the U.S. government was conducting a massive spying operation against its own citizens. He did the American people a big favor by exposing this illegal spying, and should be considered a hero by all freedom-loving people in this country.But the federal government does not like to be embarrassed by having its illegal actions brought to light, and they will go to great lengths to severely punish anyone who exposes those misdeeds. And that is what they are trying to do to Snowden -- punish him severely for embarrassing the government.
The government claims he harmed this country by revealing the secret spying on American citizens. That is pure bull. Nobody was harmed -- just some bureaucrats embarrassed. Now they want to throw him in prison for most of the rest of his life. They claim he will get a fair trial, but if anyone believes that then I wish you would contact me -- because I have some nice oceanfront property in Amarillo that I'll give you a great deal on.
Fortunately, Snowden is not stupid enough to think he would be treated fairly by the federal government. He has fled the country, and is currently residing in Russia (the first country that offered him refuge). Some other countries have offered him permanent residence, but the U.S. and its European buddies have refused to let any plane carry him to any of those countries (mostly in South America).
Snowden's permission to stay in Russia expired on August 1st, and for a few days he was in limbo -- not knowing what would happen. But it has now been announced that the permission to stay in Russia (and continue his work in computer technology) has been extended for another three years. And if he chooses to do so, he can apply for Russian citizenship.
This is good news -- but hopefully, someday the U.S. government will come to its senses and allow him to come home without punishment, recognizing that he really has done a great favor to the citizens of this country.
(The caricature of Edward Snowden above is by DonkeyHotey.)
