[g5095]

The OP writes with the implicit assumption that patriotism is a moral good and that America also is something to defend in and of itself (moreso than any other country).

Some people (myself included) would argue that nationality should (ideally) be of little importance and patriotism misguided affection. We might suggest that mercy and liberty for any individual, no matter their nationality, is at the crux of it of more value than feelings of nationalism.

The story of Nathan Hale gives us a glimpse of exactly why this sort of patriotism is problematic when we read about the British officer tearing up the letters he wrote before his execution, why do this to a fellow man sentenced to death if not misguided nationalism over common humanity.

The problem with the kind of patriotism America seems to demand is that it allows for mercy & kindness to it's own, at the expense of others.

From the point of view of a global humanitarian rather than a blind American patriot, Snowden's leaks make a lot of sense. It's the lens you have grown up with, OP, which colours everything you've said here. As someone from (not America), many of us appreciate that the cover was pulled back, it made us all look to our own democratic governments and ask the hard questions.