Non-Fiction Reading Response: 

Snowden: Traitor or Hero?

          The world's most famous fugitive, Edward Snowden recently received asylum in Russia after leaking classified information about N.S.A. spying programs. Working as a computer systems contractor for the N.S.A., Snowden collected top-secret documents about surveillance programs in the U.S. He decided to make them public and, having copied the information, leaked it to the journalists. The most controversial of the surveillance programs was a large data base with information gathered from phone calls regarding who was called and when, the actual conversations were not recorded. Besides collecting that information, U.S. spy agencies also monitored cellphone conversations of world leaders, allies not excluded. Though these surveillance programs are necessary to prevent further terrorist attacks on America, like 9/11, some Americans feel as if these programs are being taken too far and are overstepping the boundaries between necessity and civil liberty.
           Some may argue that Snowden is a traitor because he exposed government secrets and may have endangered the country. According to the article Edward Snowden: Traitor or Hero? Upfront Magazine, "Among the many things Snowden's leaks revealed was how the military secures its telephone and computer networks and other details of current U.S. military operations." This knowledge could have put military troops overseas at risk. In fact, some are sure that the leaks are going to have lethal consequences and in general made the U.S. forces vunerable.
          Yet others believe that Snowden is a hero. This is not the first time that information about U.S. surveillance systems has been leaked. However, this time, Americans believe that the level of surveillance is violating civil rights and is unconstitutional. Furthermore, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board determined that the N.S.A.'s phone records collection program has "provided only minimal benefits in counterterrorism efforts." Basically, the N.S.A. was violating the Fourth Amendment for no reason.
          In conclusion, it is still unclear whether Snowden is a hero or a traitor. This issue will be more discussed in July 2014 when Snowden's temporary asylum in Russia will expire.