Edward Snowden

* "Unwelcome truth is better than cherished error", said Edwin Conklin, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science back in the 30s. "As regards civilization, truth is better than pretense, deception and gratuitous secrecy", say I, a senile observer.
* After the intelligence failings of 9/11/01, I assumed that our NSA would henceforth store and analyze communication data gathered by service providers in the course of their business. Considering our vulnerabilities, it's what I would do, if I had the responsibility to minimize future attacks by hate groups.
* The existence of this pragmatic program should not have been classified, since any constitutionally questionable or abuse-susceptible program employing thousands will inevitably be revealed by a conscientious worker.
* There is no evidence that Snowden's revelation has significantly reduced our security, since no concerned person doubted NSA's data gathering. It is almost certain that his revelations and resulting transparency will improve our democracy.
* Owing to gratuitous secrecy, we find ourselves compelled to prosecute someone who has done us more good than harm. If I were the president, I would voice kabuki protests to any government granting asylum to Snowden, while hoping he stays safely abroad long enough for us to forgive him.
* If the administration and military can forgive themselves for revealing how they located Bin Laden and how they discovered al-Qaeda's recent plan to attack oil wells, ports and diplomatic missions, then they can surely forgive Snowden.