[random28345]

> Do we want every soldier, employee and contractor working in our government to use giant data dumps as a legit way to lodge their objections?

Yes, that is exactly what we want them to do when faced with criminal activity within their organizations and a non-functioning whistleblower program.

> Does anyone else think this Snowden as a hero stuff is a bit much?

Given that he risked death or life imprisonment to expose criminal activity in the organization he (indirectly) worked for, then no, the "hero" stuff is not a bit much.

If someone is a hero for risking their lives on a battlefield on the other side of the planet to "protect our freedoms", someone should also be considered a hero for putting their life at risk to protect the freedom of the American people from tyranny.

Now, if you disagree, you could say that his life or freedom was never at risk (it was), or that the government programs weren't unconstitutional (they were unconstitutional), or that the whistleblower program was a working alternative (it wasn't). But as long as you accept the basic facts of the situation, you really should consider him a hero.