| Only saying that "he broke the law, hence he is a criminal", is almost meaningless. Its like, the sun rises in the east. Everyone knows he broke the law, and its not part of the debate at all. The question is... knowing all that we now know, should we treat him like a criminal? Many people broke the law and became criminals, in order to do what was right. Gandhi became a criminal by refusing to pay tax on salt.
Americans became criminals by refusing to play ball with 'taxation without representation'.. (or the boston tea party).
Rosa parks became a criminal when she refused to sit in the back of the bus.
In taliban's view, Malala became a criminal when she decided to go to school. Breaking the law is not always bad... sometimes, it is essential to break the law, in order to do the right thing. I find it difficult to believe that you really don't care, don't have an opinion or have no moral stand on this issue. It reminds me of this famous line... First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. Mass surveillance and punishing whistleblowers are not just American evils. They are the evils of the powerful, who are everywhere around the world. |