The Edward Snowden case has generated a wide range of
reactions, from support to condemnation. Snowden is the man that took it upon himself
to tell the world about certain intelligence gathering activities being used by
the U.S. government to keep one step ahead of terrorists. In a June 26th
Ottawa Citizen commentary, deputy editorial pages editor Kate Heartfield has
not clearly condemned the actions of Edward Snowden and her commentary tends to
suggest that she is supportive of his disclosures. While I agree that “citizens
in democracies can choose to give up civil liberties in exchange for security” it
is a decision that cannot be advanced by individuals with their own
interpretation on how the government should conduct itself. We elect representatives
to further our best interests and it is those people that are tasked with ensuring
the machinery of government in all its various capacities functions to established
expectations. Those government activities with serious consequences for errors,
particularly when it comes to the privacy of its citizens, have a variety of
checks and balances to safeguard our democratic rights. Snowden is no “Little
Brother”, a term used by Heartfield. Although Snowden may think his actions
served some useful purpose, rather than run and hide, he should step forward
and explain himself in a U.S. court of law.
Heartfield’s article is at this link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/Snowden+leaker/8575970/story.html
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