[sandworm101]

>> Snowden has chosen the path of silent compliance with Russian law, and in doing so traded in the same free speech he has so hypocritically called America to task for over the years. One cannot act the part of hero and claim to have convictions, only to then run away from every form of accountability.

A big part of freedom of speech is the freedom no to do so. I'm not going to fault someone for going silent. I will fault them for being publicly active and not speaking out but I would never criticize someone for withdrawing from public life, nor would I read anything into that withdrawal. Sometimes people just want to move on. There is no obligation to explain such actions... at least not until you come back.