DIRTY SECRETS

Edward Snowden publicly revealed classified top secret information about the National Security Agency's extensive surveillance of American citizens.     The question is:  did Snowden do the right thing by exposing unconstitutional  U. S. Government activities that violated our rights, or did he do the wrong thing, and in fact is a traitor, for exposing some of America's secret anti-terrorism programs.

From what I know so far, it is clear to me that Snowden did the right thing.  The Constitution was written and adopted for that precise purpose:  to protect us from an overbearing government.  Those who serve in the government are duty-bound to adhere to our  Constitution.  I would suspect that our enemies know full well what our government is doing...but whether they know or not, it is infinitely more important that WE know when our presumed government protectors are attacking us by violating our rights.  If information about secret activities  benefits our enemies, it was not Snowden who is responsible but those in our government who orchestrated and authorized those illegal, unConstitutional activities.

I am not in love with the idea of Snowden settling in Russia, a country with a political philosophy in opposition to ours.  But Russia, despite all its braggadocio, is not a military threat to us at this time, and Snowden is free to find asylum there.  If in fact it is shown that Russia is aiding and abetting enemies of ours, then that country should be off limits to all Americans.

I think it would be beneficial, if feasible, for a department of our federal judiciary to be established, to which future Snowdens could first go to have it determined whether secret government activities are in fact unConstitutional before they are released to the public and to our enemies.

I, for one, would not be concerned if all of our secrets were revealed.  They are probably already well known by  those who might wish to harm us.  In the end, it is not secrets that will bring America down, but a failure to live by and adhere to our magnificent Constitution.