I am a patriot, a former service member, and I love my country. As much as I love talking about politics, I have never taken an active protest role in my life. I'm middle-aged, completly non-violent, and I live in a rural area. I am literally the last person in the world you would expect of being a political activist.<p>Hell, I'm even in favor of some SIGINT, as long as we are talking simple node-to-node analysis. But that's not what happened. What happened was a vaccum cleaner. They're sucking up every piece of meta-data they can get their hands on. And it's not because of some cost-benefit equation that the public was shown. It's simply because they <i>can</i>.<p>As a patriot, I feel that the only patriotic thing to do for all other patriots is to come out, rally and support Snowden. The government has stepped over the line here, and we all need to clearly let them know that this needs to be fixed.<p>And no, this case is not the same as Manning. Snowden saw <i>one</i> thing that he was willing to take the penalty for. He released data on <i>one</i> thing. Now, as the natural legislative body of the state, the people can make a choice whether to support him or not based on this one issue. I can support that kind of behavior. Manning betrayed his country by releasing everything he could get his hands on. He is truly an enemy of the system itself. Different thing entirely.
Snowden clearly indicated that he did not want this controversy to become about him, and he indicated that he only came out to vindicate the Guardian story from being discredited.<p>Nobody knows his current financial situation. I think we can all appreciate the ideal, but at this point, it's probably better to donate to the EFF, EPIC and the ACLU. Not to mention, maybe even get a subscription to the Guardian US in support of investigative journalism.
The fact that money is trickling into this campaign, while campaigns such as one to send a heckled school bus driver on vacation explode with hundreds of thousands of dollars, shows our society's ignorance. This man is a hero, and is likely to be cannon fodder for the US Justice system.<p>John Mccain went on CNN this morning and said that this whole thing isn't a big issue in the minds of most Americans and there won't be much if any political fallout. I am sure he is saying that with polling numbers in hand. Mark Udall, who has been trying to warn Americans about this for years, also appeared and was made to look like an overaggressive alarmist. They may as well have superimposed a tinfoil hat on him.<p>This whole thing gives us a very scary glimpse into how pliable the populace is. Many assumed that the NSA was doing this, but not so obvious until this incident was the depth of ambivalence Americans have toward their rights. The stage is now set for a remakably dark future, and by the time the populace finally has enough, they will no longer have the power to stop it.
Guys, hyperbole is not necessary here.<p>The last "spy" that the U.S. caught was not designated an "enemy of the state" or anything nearly so extreme, so at least wait for Obama to put on the anti-Christ mask before you start freaking out please. Pretty soon I'll literally be able to see out the <i>back</i> of my head.<p>Likewise, treason has a specific Constitutional definition, both on actions that constitute treason and the witnesses required to prove it.<p>As a civilian (contractor no less, not even a Government employee!) Snowden does not fall under UCMJ so all this crap about "Aiding the Enemy" is crap as well. You should be worried about Espionage Act, not UCMJ.<p>Likewise, giving "aid and comfort" to someone accused of a crime would fall under the same rules as any other person accused of a crime. If there ends up being a valid warrant for his arrest then you should not help him evade arrest. You should not help him commit further crimes or cover up evidence of previous ones. But certainly you can contribute to his legal defense fund (though be careful that those evil Fed prosecutors don't freeze those assets :P). Those cautions are nothing special about this case, it's always been a bad idea (legally speaking) to aid and abet crime. If you feel your morals will outweigh that then bon voyage, but go in forewarned.<p>Also, yes, it's possible your actions will be more closely scrutinized in the future if you aid Snowden, but things that are worth doing are not typically easy, otherwise they'd already be done.<p>I would be more worried about ensuring that you don't end up crowdsourcing or kickstarting some con man's bank account instead of Snowden's legal defense fund, but then again I've always been sort of a pessimist...
Wow, I would tread <i>incredibly</i> lightly here. In the eyes of the US government, this person could be considered an enemy of the state...and you're <i>literally</i> giving them aid.<p>That's probably a pretty serious crime. I support this person as well, but there is something to be said about living to fight another day. Directly giving money to [possible] enemies of the state might not be the greatest idea.
This seems a bit strange to me. Snowden was very well compensated for his work (articles mention a $200k salary) as a young man and despite this he still did the right thing and followed his conscience. My bet is he would be the first to tell you that the real reward for him is the weight off of his shoulders. Rewarding such a brave act with a "cash prize" doesn't seem appropriate.
ummm.... where will my money <i>actually</i> go?<p>The campaign is very light on details. I will not give them money just because they used his picture in a header. I will rather post the money to EFF
Seriously, 'murica? One of the most important heroes of our time blows the whistle on the largest spying industry the world has ever known, and you pay him back with <i>cash</i>?<p>Edward Snowden has done the world and the US a <i>huge</i> deal by sacrificing everything and letting you know just how fucked up things are.<p>Use that knowledge, be inspired by his courage, and tear apart this messed up system of surveillance and oppression.
He didn't do this for the money...<p>I've been offered minor cash gifts for significant volunteer work that I've done previously, and it's usually sort of offensive - nowhere near large enough to compensate for my time, and I didn't do it for money.<p>The right way to go about this is probably to find a way to get meals continually delivered to him in his hotel after his credit card is inevitably cancelled.
Two issues I can see arising from this:<p>1. You're funding someone who the government most likely has labelled a terrorist. I don't think the government will take too kindly to such a thing.<p>2. Snowden is in hiding. Not only might it be hard to come into contact with him, but how can we be sure our money will reach him?<p>I think #1 is not too difficult to solve via ways of bitcoin, but #2 is still a blocker.
This is to completely miss the point [1]. Not everything is about compensation or reward. There are things worth doing that have nothing to do with money. To try to strap a reward onto this or some similar situation is to diminish it.<p>If you feel compelled to give money, give it to an organization that can effect meaningful change for those that may need it. Based on [1], it doesn't seem that Snowden is one that needs it.<p>1. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-n...</a>
Nominate him for Nobel Peace Prize for this year. It will offer him a better political protection against the current US government and will make him one of the better winners of prize in this decade.
If you do this, know that (in my estimation - IANAL) you're likely doing something illegal. Imagine the same situation for any other crime: "You killed someone I don't like; here's $10k".<p>If you choose to do it as an act of civil disobedience itself, more power to you, but it should be deliberate.
There's no way Edward put himself on the line for money.<p>But... how long do you think he can access funds in his name? And how long do you think he will have to stay in hotels and temporary accommodation that he will have to fund?<p>He will need help, the hardest bit isn't even summoning the help, it will be getting it to him.
A legal defense fund has been set up at <a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/d2j2/support-edward-snowden" rel="nofollow">https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/d2j2/support-edward-s...</a>
A legal defense fund has been set up for Edwars at<p><a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/d2j2/support-edward-snowden" rel="nofollow">https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/d2j2/support-edward-s...</a>
With Crowdit being a US company, what do you think the chance of any substantial funds ever reaching Snowden is?<p>(and that's ignoring all the other obvious problems with this scheme)
He was making $200k a year, I don't think the best way to support him is to give him another $10k. If he needs money, he needs a LOT more than $10k.
Notice how everything suddenly went from being about the surveillance itself to being about this guy?<p>For someone who doesn't want public attention and wants people to focus on the NSA surveillance programs he exposed, he certainly screwed the pooch by outing himself - now, instead of talking about the surveillance, the media's all just sitting around talking about him. He might as well have sent the administration a gift basket.<p>Since his actions just set back his stated goals more than anything the government could've done, I'm not so certain his stated goals are his actual ones. Are you <i>sure</i> he's not just looking to be famous? Do you really want to give money to someone if it turns out they're just looking for attention?