[001sky]

Time awarding Snowden POY would them look out of the loop. That seems to be the logiical PR explanation. Vatican is really a diminished institution, while the NSA is ascendent. This just impugns the relevance of Time mag's editorial, in a way...which is not flattering.

[headgasket]

Interesting comparison. The NSA will never need the Inquisition to assert its power though, they already know. Knowledge is power.

[inafield]

What do you mean by "never need the Inquisition"? The CIA/DIA/NSA Inquisition has been happening 24x7 for years now; we just haven't been privy to it.