This is going to be a very short article by design.
Edward Snowden is being sued by the Department of Justice to prevent him from receiving revenue from his new book Permanent Record.
Let me be clear, let me be concise.
Edward Snowden illegally released information to WikiLeaks that the American Government was illegally over-reaching in their surveillance of its own citizens. There are only 2 moral courses of action here.
Snowden goes to jail. Everyone in the United States Government associated with illegal surveillance goes to jail. Both committed illegal acts by law.
Snowden apologizes for breaking the law, goes free. The United States Government apologizes for illegally spying on its own citizens.
Edward Snowden did not sell secrets to Foreign Agents.
Edward Snowden did not fabricate documents.
Edward Snowden released real illegal U.S. Government activity for public consumption.
Edward Snowden was simply a messenger.
Since we are a Free Speech Site, let's go over this, YET AGAIN.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Edward Snowden, besides having Free Speech, should have been protected by the same laws that protects reporters at Large Media Conglomerates such as CNN, FoxNews, or the umbrella of NBC News Networks.
It is really that clear cut and the American Government is trying to muddy the waters.