[lotsofcows]

I never understand why USAians refer to Benedict Arnold as a "traitor". It's a really stupid word to bandy about in a civil war. The country was governed by Britain. Everyone who fought against the government was, by definition, a traitor. Using a word with such a definite negative connotation in such a complex environment is either disingenuous or obtuse.

For similar reasons, using the word "traitor" is also stupid in the case of Snowden. Against whom / what was he a traitor? - The government? A branch of the government? The constitution? The people?

[Thrymr]

I wouldn't call Snowden a traitor, but I think the term is perfectly apt for Benedict Arnold. He was a general in one army who defected to the opposing army. That's pretty much the definition of traitor. That doesn't deny your point that all the rebelling colonials were traitors to the British.

[lotsofcows]

From an objective point of view, you're right - I still don't like the term (or the use-case, rather)...