Poll Finds Public Split on Whether Edward Snowden Is a Hero or Traitor

[Lucille]

Unbelievable. What a bunch of masochists. All this government does is abuse us, and look at the idiots come to its defense, crying "traitor." They don't get that the NSA's repugnant spying is something the government does TO us, not for us.

Too bad we all get the secretive, tyrannical government Boobus Americanus deserve.

Poll Finds Public Split on Whether Edward Snowden Is a Hero or Traitor
http://reason.com/blog/2013/09/19/po...-whether-edwar

In August, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “I think Snowden is a traitor, and I think he has hurt our country, and I hope someday he is brought to justice.”

The new Reason-Rupe poll finds Americans are sharply divided on how they view the NSA surveillance whistleblower Edward Snowden. Thirty-nine percent say Snowden is a "traitor for leaking government secrets." Nearly the same number, 35 percent, say he is a "patriot" for letting the public know about the government's surveillance programs. And 16 percent of Americans say they have mixed opinions about Snowden.

Older Americans are much more likely than young people to see Snowden as a traitor. More than half, 52 percent, of those 65 years and older described Snowden as a traitor. Meanwhile, just 30 percent of the 18-34 year-old bracket called him a traitor. Forty-four percent of 18-34 year-olds said Snowden is a hero.

Republicans and Democrats are nearly identical in their assessment of Snowden, with 32 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of Democrats believing he is a patriot. Independents, however, are far more likely to see Snowden in a positive light, with 43 percent saying he’s a patriot.

[VoluntaryAmerican]

So either way you look at it half the country are themselves traitors...

[specsaregood]

Does it make me a pessimist or cynical if upon hearing that half thinks he isn't a traitor, I actually consider it good news?

[Tywysog Cymru]

Does it make me a pessimist or cynical if upon hearing that half thinks he isn't a traitor, I actually consider it good news?

Not at all, at least it shows that a good portion of the population isn't blindly following the media's smear campaign on him.

[torchbearer]

No one is brave enough to say Edward isn't a hero in my shop.