[mc32]

Here's my take. When you see your duty as a patriot to betray what's been entrusted to you because you think it's the right thing to do, you do it with the notion that you are "taking one for the team". And you pay the price.

What you do may not be proven right within your lifetime, but if you are eventually proven right, you will have earned the respect posthumously.

I don't think we can claim being a patriot is easy or comes free. Often times you have to pay a heavy price.

Of course that's no consolation for Snowden (or Assange).

[misterhtmlcss]

I can totally agree with that. At the end of the day if a patriot is a guy standing between you and your leader and taking a bullet or on a field of battle losing a limb or pulling what Snowden did it's all a risk you take for participating in that level of game. It just is what it is and fairness doesn't enter into the equation.