Edward Snowden: Hero or Traitor?

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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Morris M
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Other Biographics Videos:
Napoleon Bonaparte: The Strategic Genius
• Napoleon Bonaparte: Th...
Joseph Stalin: The Red Terror
• Joseph Stalin: The Red...
Source/Further reading:
www.britannica.com/biography/... Snowden bio and interview on his life and revelations):
www.vanityfair.com/news/polit... timeline on how Snowden contacted Guardian):
www.theguardian.com/world/201... view of Snowden as a pawn played by Wikileaks and its associates):
www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/09... Snowden trying to steal from CIA before resigning):
www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/us... Jay Epstein -How America Lost its Secrets (good counternarrative that paints Snowden as an egotist and highlights some of the harm he may have done):
www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-... he give secrets knowingly to Russia and/or work with the Chinese?):
www.washingtonindependentrevie... to Epstein’s counter-argument):www.thenation.com/article/alt...
(Claims Snowden had contact with Russian intelligence after arriving in Moscow):
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2... Snowdendownloading documents in 2012):
www.reuters.com/article/usa-s... Tibbo’sstory):
www.parismatch.com/Actu/Inter... original Guardian story reporting the Verizon scandal:
www.theguardian.com/world/201... confession film:
• NSA whistleblower Edwa... Allegations of Snowden’scontacts with Russian intelligence:
www.wsj.com/articles/putin-ad...

[@grrrrapesoda]

“Patriotism isn’t about loyalty to a government. Patriotism isn’t about loyalty to anyone. It is a constant effort to do good for the people of your country.” Edward Snowden

[@sanda386]

Too many governments want people to see them as the country itself so they have blind loyalty towards them. That's why I stay away from any patriotism in the first place. Flags and territories are not important. People are. If you want to help your fellow countrymen don't fall for the national symbols and rhetoric, because governments want you to think they ARE the flag and country, hence should not be questioned or held accountable when they act against their own people, or foreigners for that matter.

[@kilppa]

@@sanda386 Indeed. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

[@drugsilove2364]

Yup, it wasn't just about terrorism, it was about controlling the masses. This is something the Chinese government is doing, and the bastion of freedom must not fall to this trap.

[@carlajenkins1990]

Ha" How convenient.

[@Deathkill06]

Whether he did it for selfish reasons or not his actions defended every American's constitutional rights against the criminal acts of a government that decided it was above the law. He is one of the greatest heroes of my generation as far as I'm concerned.

[@jsn593]

I love how he’s only following NSA on twitter, what a comedy legend.

[@NAME-yg8sl]

I wonder how the NSA feels about that. Lol

[@easterbuny2226]

I am the other Snowden that took down J6 . I am the one that they are talking about in the news since October

[@satoshinakamoto7253]

@@NAME-yg8sl feels or thinks?

[@dowhatiwantc7637]

@@easterbuny2226 proof? Lol cool story bro

[@VobiscumSanta]

@@easterbuny2226 sure. And I’m Obama. Look at me. Weeeee! I’m Ooooobaaaammmmaaaaa!

[@Maddolis]

"We want to bring Snowden to justice for violating our privacy" -Agency whose entire existence is based around violating everybody's privacy.

[@ethanweeter2732]

Okay, the NSA also prevents terrorist plots and arrests terrorists as well.

[@halloweenjean]

@@ethanweeter2732When does it stop being anti terrorism and start becoming a massive breach of privacy for not only people within the country but people outside of it. The USA has a very seedy history & I don’t trust them to use it for purely ‘safety’ reasons. Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. In response to the leaks many countries and institutions made new data protection laws so I think that says a lot as to the nature of what the NSA was doing

[@GAURAV25855ify]

He exposed the NSA CIA the FBI and the pentagon

[@frags4679]

@@ethanweeter2732at what cost bro? Did we watch the same video?

[@ciscof4041]

@@ethanweeter2732 "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Benjamin Franklin

[@jamesbannister8470]

Imagine becoming the most wanted man on earth for telling the truth.

[@vitkomusic6624]

sometimes telling the truth is damaging... for millions of people.. most of people don't understand this. national security does

[@oprahsgran5989]

@@vitkomusic6624 good take, although there wouldn't be any FBI memes without this occurrence which is a bummer.

[@Super-wx6br]

@@vitkomusic6624 Nice try NSA agent

[@claytonroberts1622]

@@vitkomusic6624 👀🐷

[@EarlyBirdCraft]

Also selling your info to Russia in exchange for asylum. Sounds about right

[@bryanc1975]

The government should fear the people, not the other way around.

[@KarlaRodriguez-ku3fp]

Yet here we are.

[@sydlawson3181]

Bruh they got drones

[@sydlawson3181]

@Michael Carlow buddy it's extremely evident how hard you're trying to sound smart, heres a tip: smart people dont launch into a conversation by saying "You morons...."

[@loraxdavewalters2696]

We're pretty far from that! The US has always preyed upon its own population. There's been US citizens employed by the government to violate other US citizens for nearly a century. The kkk has always been populated with law enforcement, so what is the difference if a rouge element is the majority of the order givers?

[@loraxdavewalters2696]

@Michael Carlow So Project Paperclip, Project Bluebeam, Project Bluebird, and MKULTRA were beneficial? Screw you Nazi!

[@cuddleheart5306]

"Snowden is a narcissist" - Agency that believes that it alone should have exclusive access to all information for every citizen of the world.

[@Urban_Piggy]

It’s a joke of a statement. He literally put his life on the line for millions of fellow Americans and -that’s- what they call him? They might want to look up the word and try again.

[@MegaNiQ]

Nancy Chivers you didn’t read that correctly

[@swordfish_0219]

Me on hearing this from NSA - you want to keep entire world's info with you and can't keep your wife with you?? Wtf bro

[@FUnzzies1]

Snowden is a traitor

[@placeholder8768]

@@FUnzzies1 A traitor to rich pedophiles, yes. A hero to everyone else.

[@syndrome5372]

"Edward Snowden! Hero or traitor?" Pretty sure the answer is "depends on your pay grade and how high up the government you work" :p

[@madhatter4743]

Traitor

[@stevensammons4062]

Right.

[@vitkomusic6624]

you sound like you don't have an opinion... the right answers is you need to. understand history, military, politics and bigger picture to. understand.. but warrant for arrest speaks for itself. doesn't it?

[@francisclaudio4991]

Traitor

[@Anon90147]

@@madhatter4743 how

[@dondon-oi6jt]

Any man who points out the severity of the lies the government tells the people they are supposed to serve is a Patriot. We should honor those who tell the truth and condemn those who lie, not the other way around.

[@wburke121]

All the info came from phone companies, who do a lot worse to your privacy than the government.

[@CarlCoppinger]

Yes!!!!!

[@gamerthebanning]

Imagine having a 5 star wanted level for five years!

[@reactiongamerguy9537]

Gamer The Banning Dame that is hard

[@sceaserjulius9476]

U can only make it in a mafia boss' stronghold, if u know what i mean

[@sega32xxx14]

Yeah, personally I couldn't care less about what happens to Snowden, as long as it doesn't involve him being murdered or jailed for what he did for people all over the world.

[@abhisheksharma-sb3er]

@@sega32xxx14 what he did to people all over the world ?

[@sega32xxx14]

@@abhisheksharma-sb3er Did for people is what I said. As in exposing the government of America's massive level of privacy invasion.

[@mikdan8813]

Webmaster of an anime message board? Ah, I see he's a man of culture as well.

[@dirtcom7]

Can one man get sexier?

[@humbertocobian4740]

Shut up you disgusting incel neck beards

[@drgojira6044]

@@humbertocobian4740 Welcome to hell.

[@tiredoftiredness7787]

Indeed

[@ada4ka390]

@@humbertocobian4740 no.

[@lospolloshermandez4299]

"Today NSA operates under close congressional oversight." More like they operate the congressional oversight

[@Kirovets7011]

Well, in other words: Officially, there is close congressional oversight. But, Unofficially, there is hardly or no congressional oversight.

[@InitialFailure]

"HArdY hAr HAr!" I really wish obligatory federal service was a thing for just one year so idiots who know nothing about the government, would make less idiotic statements.

[@Super-wx6br]

Not without the lobbyists paid by billionaires paying them of course

[@Mr.AimToMisbehave]

@@InitialFailure suppose you endorse the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, operation seafoam, and Project MK Ultra to name a few

[@xiphosmaniac]

@@InitialFailure yeah fo rreal, when trump was spewing that whole "election was rigged" bs, i can tell you from first hand experience, none of the Board of Elections workers (not federal but still, government.) get paid nearly enough to commit voter fraud, and most dont care. The ballots are hand counted MULTIPLE times, from both major parties, with police at the ready to arrest anyone making false statements. If numbers are fudged, its a recount. I have never seen anyone even bother doing something so stupid as putting a ballot clearly marked for biden or trump into the other basket and counting it, because it will get recounted over and over. But you cant blame these sorts of people. You have to let them come to their own realization that maybe they are looking at the world TOO skeptically.

[@WomanSlayer69420]

Both. A traitor to a dystopian and tyrannical government agency, but a hero to the ordinary citizens letting them know what they should know.

[@kichigan1]

After 9/11 he is a Traitor. The US had to prevent the mass slaughter of innocent Americans asap. If that meant the Patriot Act, so be it. I was a Ralph Nader supporter, and even me understood this.

[@TakenByStormEquestrian]

No, just a disgusting traitor.

[@ethanhernandez9889]

@@TakenByStormEquestrianno, a hero to the people

[@TakenByStormEquestrian]

@@ethanhernandez9889 nope, a traitor

[@FLG_NEO_]

​​@@TakenByStormEquestrianhe's a better person than any American president in the last 30 years

[@matthewmckenna248]

The man is with out a doubt worthy of hero status. A true patriot speaks out against his or her government. Instead of joining the rest of the flock.

[@kobil316SH]

JcJ * and the nsa aren’t traitors? Who hangs them?

[@Kris-wo4pj]

@JcJ * Thats some cold war brainwashing there buddy. Founding fathers would be disappointed.

[@romelnegut2005]

@Rock-E Oldboy I understand what are you're trying to say but Russia out of all the places in the world?

[@mikebeson3866]

Agreed 100%

[@lagitanavderoscio]

@@romelnegut2005 I agree, Romel; but, really where else was he going to go and not get arrested. I just wonder with Putin being pals with Trump, why Snowden hasn't "come up".

[@SkylerKing]

I was still in the Army, when the whole Snowden thing blew up. I remember being at our base and our leadership telling us that we were not authorized to view all of the information being made public. We were warned/threatened that we would get a court martial if anyone was found to be viewing any of the information.

[@ericmoore6769]

Stay obedient! Don't learn stuff!

[@ChocolateMilk..]

I hope you were disgusted.

[@christafurden]

So did you ever check out the information?

[@iminavegetativestatestudio1730]

Pure corruption and tyranny. At least they were being honest.

[@raymondnomad5352]

❤ Snowdon

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:40 - Chapter 1 - Early years (The dropout) 4:50 - Chapter 2 - A world of shadows 8:05 - Chapter 3 - Secret plots & "spooky types" 11:35 - Chapter 4 - The heist of the century 15:10 - Mid roll ads 16:30 - Chapter 5 - Who watches the watchmen ? 20:25 - Chapter 6 - The fugitive 23:30 - Chapter 7 - The aftermath

[@fuckerooski]

Does one not have something better to do with one's time?

[@ItsPouring]

​@@fuckerooski Well, obviously... *YOU* did not.

[@jayo3074]

​@@fuckerooskiyou're really complaining about timestamps? 😂😂😂😂

[@ncgeronimo]

You can question his methods, but there is no question that the information he revealed was incredibly important. He's a hero in my book.

[@sawyergrimm287]

Amen, he may have done wrong things to accomplish his goals, but his goals were noble in my book.

[@salt27dogg]

I think he is a traitor . Not for revealing the secrets . He is a defector

[@viditsinha9707]

​@@salt27dogg so he should had stayed and get arrested Easy to say when the government isn't after you

[@lelouch3666]

​@@sawyergrimm287 hes a modern day Robin Hood

[@DB-xp9px]

@@viditsinha9707 "heroes" don't run and hide and if he really thought he was a force for good, he would've stayed where his exoneration would've had real-life benefits for society as a whole

[@HeliRy]

The NSA knows you’ve seen this video, recorded that you gave it a thumbs up, and stored your comments in case it can be used against you one day.... Sleep tight!

[@ijustdontcareanymore1022]

Yeah but I'm a no one and I'll be dead soon so that doesn't matter to me much.

[@memoacuna6420]

The NSA is wasting resources recording all the weird porn I watch. Sick bastards.

[@angelabarrineau640]

So fucking what! I get more scared trying to buy food after I pay my damn rent and electric bill. Bring it 🖕🖕🖕

[@mccormyke]

I'm surprised one of our acronym agencies have pulled a majestic 7 on some leakers. It's an old Soviet trick...Stalin learned from MI5 and OSS

[@MrBraddles3128]

I saw this and made a point of giving a thumbs up to the video. Fight me, NSA (pls don't).

[@mayuri4184]

One man's traitor is another man's hero. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Also, I love that Snowden was a weeb.

[@HoodieProduction]

Yes and no. The term "terrorist" gets thrown around too much and too often misused. A terrorist is a person that uses violence and incites fear to achieve political goals. It's a very calculated mindset and isn't as common as people make it out to be. Being a rebel, a freedom fighter, a traitor, a spy, etc, doesn't automatically associate you with terrorism.

[@EZR725]

@@HoodieProduction According to the government, yes it does

[@HoodieProduction]

@@EZR725 Last time I checked, no government writes or updates the English dictionary.

[@ussishkingang7194]

HMS Warspite 03 don’t try to justify terror

[@altyf4611]

of course you love he was a weeb you have an anime profile pic XD

[@SpcGiraffe]

Having grown up in the early 2000's and finishing school in 2010 young people of today truly have no idea what it was like to grow up in a pre-Snowden world. After this happened so much has changed, namely there is so much more information openly accepted to be truth about how the US and European nations function which you used to be considered crazy for believing. Yet there are still so many people who aren't thankful to Snowden for this and even openly hate his guts despite constantly indulging in the wealth of information he has provided them.

[@Freddles780]

Kinda scares me how only an estimated 1% of the documents were released meaning there's still another 1.683 million documents that we don't know about

[@pakde8002]

That's probably why he's still alive.

[@CarlCoppinger]

Makes you wonder what else the fed pigs are up to.....

[@markg0410]

Am I the only one who came across this channel by accident and now, 4 days later, has watched about 500 of these videos?

[@PitofTrogness]

me too

[@QBGtXM9Q]

same.

[@jordanhenry2663]

Yup!

[@stevensammons4062]

Simon has 4 other channels, Top Tenz, Today I found out, Mega Projects and one more. They are all really good too.

[@briancross6726]

When do you sleep?

[@redram5150]

Hero Says a lot about the “freest nation in the world” when exposing truth is a crime and in order to remain free one had to run to Russia

[@TWE_2000]

Because he worked for the government, which is how he had the access to the information, like the Rosenbergs. None of the journalists that continue to report on the files have been arrested and imprisoned. He made made an oath, he broke it, he has to live with the consequences.

[@redram5150]

TW E oaths and contracts to conceal illegal acts are null and void. He’s in Russia because that’s where he was when his passport ran out

[@redram5150]

Mac Ton lmao

[@Antenox]

K ris It’s not because he broke oaths and contracts that he’s a “criminal” (note the air quotes). He was charged with breaking a specific law (Espionage Act), he fled before he could be tried, and he hasn’t been tried in absentia. Since he hasn’t been tried and convicted, I don’t think he can be pardoned. Right now, he is only guilty of fleeing.

[@treybaker5716]

Antenox An act that specifically targets whistle blowers and doesn’t give them the right to a fair trial. Just another sheep.

[@kraka2oanIner]

Snowden is most certainly NOT a traitor! He's a true patriot. He's a hero to many...not sure I would label him a "hero" in the literal sense, but what he did can definitely lead to heroism.

[@TakenByStormEquestrian]

Nope, absolutely a traitor

[@CluelessGeek]

if you ever feel useless, remember the person that wrote the reply above mine

[@paaltje81]

Thank you for making this amazing videos! You are doing a great job hosting this and educating us in a fun way. Hope to see more from you in the future!

[@trevorwhatever2050]

"Hope to see more from you in the future" And now it's the future and he has like 20 different channels and is just all over the place lol

[@Eidolon5150]

If the nsa can tape me when I’m on the Hub, only got one thing for them, enjoy the show bro

[@frankwoods9895]

Oh Thats hot.

[@simonpercival6175]

@@frankwoods9895 what’s up

[@frankwoods9895]

@@simonpercival6175 hi

[@Hunter_Stonestreet]

@@frankwoods9895 ok daddy🥵

[@tomgreat8153]

I trust the NSA as much as I do the Corrupt FBI as far as I can throw either

[@MrFang333333]

The reality is, he's more American than most Americans

[@Therworldtube]

A true Constitutionalist

[@theawkwardcurrypot9556]

That's why he's in Russia

[@jeenkzk5919]

It’s an American thing to buck the system

[@nocturnalemission6822]

And yet he's living in Russia.

[@theawkwardcurrypot9556]

@@nocturnalemission6822 apparently true "Americans" aren't Americans,these people need some history.

[@WasabiSniffer]

Once again, great job keeping to objectivity and showing all sides

[@geredasonnboy642]

Shout out to Simon Whistler. He's good with this, he is the best at explaining and use of words. I can't think of anyone better than he is. Big up.

[@carriecheaung8641]

if only the NSA had dash lane then they wouldn't have the problem snowden caused

[@MariaRamirez-cb6pq]

Carrie Cheaung hahaha

[@jasoncharles8651]

Hahahahahaha

[@keatomic]

Ha!!

[@davidgraney3413]

Hahahaha well played

[@stevencooke6451]

Too bad the NSA hadn't had access to Biographics videos.

[@christopherdurham1999]

"Today, the NSA operates under close congressional oversight." - HA! HA! HA!

[@InternetMameluq]

If only congress operated under oversight.

[@toxicgopher1022]

The Sparkle Zone what’s the problem with nsa I’m from a different country so I have no idea

[@toxicgopher1022]

@Sandier Ramirez ok thx

[@te0nani]

Like de FAA watches Boeing?

[@primesspct2]

Great vid as always Simon! I would love to hear you do a Bio on Kurt Vonnegut.

[@hyperx72]

"The US had filed an arrest warrant for Edward James Snowden, not Edward Joseph Snowden." Ok that's straight badass.

[@dsmith8616]

Technicalities are important... it's the difference between charging you, and some random "Joe" on the other side of the continent. one had best have all the documentation in order; a superb lawyer would get the whole case thrown out over that alone... (in this matter it would be difficult, but in other legal proceedings it could be grounds for a mistrial and any number of potential counter-suits...)

[@francoisona]

This man told the UK government that the US had been bugging its conversations with the EU in EU building meeting rooms for years. As a token of appreciation the Uk refused him his request take a connecting flights to Ecuador from London.

[@YouTubeWatcher9000]

Just a sec he also exposed that the uk government was also spying on its citizens, so is Canada and most European countries, it’s not just the US. For some reason people forget that he exposed other countries too.

[@Lousy_Bastard]

The UK is just the US bitch they have to do as they are told.

[@ollie2244]

Spam Email crack head.

[@Lousy_Bastard]

@Long Nose Tribe Totally agree.

[@martinwarner1178]

@@Lousy_Bastard UK not that up, more like a pet friggin hamster.

[@philipthomey7884]

The NSA is under * close congressional oversight. Haha that's a funny one.

[@joshualeonard9702]

Uh... they are. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and their appropriation subcommittees have extensive authority to oversee the intelligence community. The NSA can’t buy a stapler without the approval of those committees. That’s why Iran-Contra happened. Congress wouldn’t fund the CIA’s request to arm the Contras, so Reagan broke a shitload of laws by selling arms to Iran and using the proceeds of the sale to fund the Contras, as an end-run around Congressional oversight.

[@gun10ck]

I immediately started thinking of the senator that asked the Google guy about his iPhone dilemma.

[@workingshlub8861]

so is the defense department that somehow" misplaces" millions of dollars all the time..oversight is a joke.

[@johngalt2506]

It's the other way around.

[@friedrichdergroe9664]

You can be sure that the NSA has enough dirt on each and every individual in congress that, well, the "oversight" is largely meaningless.

[@soulsinger1969]

I really enjoy this channels content and especially Simon's delivery, ... i clicked on a video totally by accident and his presentation kept me engaged and interested, i've been watching them ever since. Keep up the great work

[@margaretthemagnificent]

Same!

[@bluestrife28]

It’s kind of like when your mom would get mad at your dad but then when you got mad at him too when you were supposed to keep the lie of normalcy going she’d get mad at you instead of him for being honest.

[@haroldlee4037]

" I broke both legs." "You had shin splints." Well, 'shin splints' are micro fractures in the lower leg bones, so you're both right.

[@YouTubeWatcher9000]

Harold Lee on the joe rogan podcast he said that he had shin splints that he continued to run in which eventually caused them to break

[@berrryan4984]

MJG No kidding, pre-season training is like shin splint central. It cost me most of a season

[@invertedv12powerhouse77]

Shin splints don't stop most people from continuing. I had em for 5 weeks and still kept going in basic.

[@damabaith]

@@invertedv12powerhouse77 he wasn't in basic when he broke his legs. And he's even said he kept going and broke them because of that. He's a small frail kinda guy. I don't doubt his legs gave out lol

[@kentonriffe6358]

@@damabaith in fact he was gonna go SF. But jump school would have/did (can’t remember) absolutely destroyed his legs

[@MrJJuK]

That's like reporting a crime and getting sent to prison for it 🤣🤣🤣 GJ America 👍

[@mattklein5498]

Google the Cuban 5

[@cassandrab4080]

No, that's like committing a crime and running away.

[@danieldoel6216]

@@cassandrab4080 he is a hero, he exposed the discusting US government for what they had done.

[@benl8962]

@@cassandrab4080 when did doing the right thing become a crime? Oh yeah i forgot, when the government commits crimes its fine...

[@craigcrawford6595]

You mean like Reality who sits in prison now when she blew the whistle on government corruption prior to anyone else in the present administration in the US...

[@TotalTennisGeek]

I've been busy. I've missed the sound of your voice. This was excellent.

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

Both. He released some things that needed to be released...but he also released some things that did not need to be released AND inspired that Bradley Manning thing to release documents that did not need to be released and directly hurt American Soldiers.

[@krasmasov6852]

Chelsea Manning you mean, and she exposed grotesque war crimes that were being covered up.

[@mrcokez1]

people have a right to know the truth. Governments should fear it's people.

[@jimbeaux89]

a random frog no doubt!

[@russellrhein1514]

AncientAstronautTheorist *yes, don’t get twisted, republisheep

[@thunderpooch]

*its

[@rogerh7203]

Russell Rhein funny how you assume he is republican over a simple comment

[@glenwicks4976]

@@rogerh7203 Yeah, more like Politisheep. That sounds more accurate.

[@ScarletAsmodai]

He's by definition a traitor, by acting against the duties and oaths he obligated himself to with working for the NSA, however what he did was heroic as he decided that the common good was the interest of society and not the intelligence agencies. It's not mutually exclusive. One mans hero is another mans enemy. That's how it always will be.

[@Yellowdigigod]

ScarletAsmodai Just like the United States' founding fathers.

[@imapopo2924]

Very well said. Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love in order to help them.

[@madscientistshusta]

In the same way the guy who planned hitlers fail assassination is a traitor. Regardless of semantics there is one objective bad guy,the nsa for lying to the ppl they are supposed to protect,by breaking the law for trying to go over senate. I mean you could argue that the nsa were infact the traitors and snowden was following the law by telling the people and senate,and in fact that is my personal feelings.

[@madscientistshusta]

@dbright yes this guy gets it

[@Jake12220]

Except a lot of what he exposed was showing very clearly that the NSA had broken it's oaths, promises and obligations to the government. He didn't betray his government, he simply exposed the agency that was itself betraying the government (even if no doubt certain government officials knew to some degree about what was happening).

[@AJ-et3vf]

Great video. Thank you

[@6Undisputed6]

Anyone who shines a light on government lies and corruption is a hero

[@stevenorrington473]

Remember he did run off to Russia, another nation with even more intense surveillance.

[@danagasumova9179]

'..in a world full of angry young men, it seemed Edward Snowden was simply another voice screaming into the void....but with one crucial difference--Snowden was still useful' What an all-encompassing and powerful statement

[@trevorwhatever2050]

Agreed. Whoever wrote that for Baldy here to say certainly has a way with words.

[@shawnmartin1306]

He risked everything to help others see what was going on. Most people still don’t care though

[@tracythompson4798]

😢. What sheep we are!!! 🤔

[@mattklein5498]

@@tracythompson4798 Quit being a sheep Tracy

[@tracythompson4798]

@@mattklein5498 I am at least aware of my sheepness....😉

[@nastynate1042]

@@tracythompson4798 That means nothing.

[@IADWTS]

What can you do about it though?

[@musicreplay8522]

It's so wonderful to hear my hometown mentioned! We don't get known for much other than the base. I'll always be proud to know he was from here as well.

[@kalithechamp1412]

Based off his account, along with the movie, his relationship wasn’t failing due to narcissism. It was because of fear. He started losing his mind realizing they were spying 24/7 and that he had created the means for them to do so. He started losing trust in everyone and everything around him. He was afraid to speak to her on phones, he made her constantly cover the webcam built in to the laptop(which was REVOLOUTIONARY at that time). Regular home life started getting weird and stressed because of how he was moving and she hated it. He tried talking to her but didn’t want to get her caught up in anything, which made everything that much more shady wit his half truths and things of that sort. As for the promotion, that was probably his last personal test. Like let me see if I’m wrong about these people. If you put in the work, you rise through the ranks and are a patriot. When they handed him a bs job he knew he was overqualified for, it must’ve answered w.e question he was leaning on to stop him from doing it. Cuz if you study Snowden, you know he really didn’t want to do it. He felt obligated as a patriot. As you can see throughout the story he always thought himself a patriot, a good old boy for merrica. Even when it was in the wrong ways. And I think THATS what got him. He was willing to do anything that was pro America cuz he thought America was telling him the truth. He thought his country was righteous and could do no wrong. Especially coming from a person who typically is seen as a failure before all this. Ego def had a part to play. Just like the typical mass shooting. A person who was failing, bullied and sic throughout school. Then in the real world Couldn’t hold job to save his life. Tried to serv his country in their darkest time but was too weak for that. So now he finds a role where he is actually usable. Where he can actually apply his knowledge to save the world and be a hero. And turns out the same people he idolized. Who he always wanted to be apart of were actually the villains and were using him as a pawn in their game from the very moment they ever made contact. Just like some will snap in violence. I think he literally snapped, but in the only way he knew how. Through information! Just like in movies, when you wrong the tech nerd they always leak your darkest secrets. This was a real life high school musical played out on an international, professional scale. In this case you fucced wit the wrong one. They always tell you not mess wit the quiet ones. This is why 🤣 Sb: he was never supposed to be in Russia. He was supposed to go to South America, but the flag in his passport didn’t happen until mid trip after he was already in like his second plane. Russia just so happened to welcome him with open arms. I’m sure he dropped I nice gift off to our European friends and he has enough files to keep them at bay for a while and the ability possibly get more. And that’s the wildest part 🤣🤣🤣 I doubt they can stop the man they hired to create their spyware. That’s prolly why he was able avoid it to begin with 🤣 the man is literally living off 6 figures a year teaching at colleges and started fussing the same country that gave him asylum 🤣🤣🤣 SNOWDEN IS DIFFFFERENT 🤣🤣🤣🤣 he gone find a way to get out of Russia too. Have y’all seen the blaclist?

[@abdulismael4885]

Let’s all say hi 👋 to those who are watching us (NSA)

[@yumekojabami3231]

👋

[@makutas-v261]

👋

[@quika1911]

👋

[@themagicminstrels476]

👋🏼 are they still watching?

[@shadrougeluver]

@@themagicminstrels476 of course they are

[@MoonatikYT]

He betrayed his government and became a hero to his people.

[@iagosevatar4865]

Well as this gov betrayed its people, it's only justice

[@rolmops883]

He showed that the government was betraying the people. Can't betray a government that's already violating your rights

[@birdman4885]

JcJ * wait a minute, I know where I’ve heard this lunacy before! *I FINALLY FOUND YOU NIXON!*

[@ariaalexandria3324]

@JcJ * We were betrayed by the government because we are supposed to be able to expect them to keep us safe instead of oppressing us. We have a constitutional right to privacy. We are treated like criminals, made to be afraid that speaking our thoughts in our own homes can land us in jail if something we say near our phones is taken as a threat when it's not. Paranoia is valid.

[@FrantiC119]

@JcJ * The right to unwarranted search and seizure. I'm not going to engage you anymore after this since it looks like you thrive on attention, but I will say it's really bizarre seeing someone defend American intelligence agencies spying on American citizens en masse. People like you are why the Patriot Act were passed, why we support 70% of the world's dictators while trying to topple everyone of them who don't play our ball game, and why we can't have social programs that every other developed country in the world have while spending insane amounts on the military.

[@johnstuart2472]

Excellent.

[@kevinhensley4643]

Very good video

[@harmonyvegan]

[Edward Snowden] should not just be pardoned, but honored. We should be asking whether the government should be pardoned. - Noam Chomsky

[@monkeyman2242]

Ok he has an opinion.

[@harrybrown4077]

Chomsky always says things that he knows will not happen.

[@thunderpooch]

@@harrybrown4077 will not, but should

[@SimGunther]

All the whistle blowers should be pardoned, but Snowden should be honored as the hero we didn't need but deserved

[@fiftysquiggly]

@@SimGunther I think you meant "hero we needed but didn't deserve" lol.

[@patrickinberlin]

A well-balanced biography of Snowdon, giving excellent background information and dealt with in an unbiased way.

[@danielortman2534]

well, given that I live in MD, I'm going to correct some geography and pronunciation errors, but I agree. This is such a great channel.

[@truthhertz10]

Unbiased? Ending the video without clearing up that he was no traitor is a bias in and of itself. Let me be clear here, Snowden only revealed that intelligence agencies were lying to congress i.e breaking the law, if you know your boss killed someone for example and you reveal this, your no hero, but definitely not a traitor...

[@patrickinberlin]

@@truthhertz10 I think he made it very clear that it´s up to the individual to decide for themselves whether or not Snowdon is a hero or traitor. He also made it very clear that it´s not just a question of seeing him as one or the other. He may have been neither, or a little of both. That´s the message I took from the bio, and why I maintain it is a fair assessment of him.

[@truthhertz10]

@@patrickinberlin But that's what I mean, how does that make any sense? The NSA were/are breaking the law, hence by definition he cannot be the traitor, they are. The constitution specifically states" against all enemies foreign and domestic" (ie law breakers). So again, I reiterate, the question of whether he is a traitor is completely unfounded, a video that ponders such a question is obviously biased or catering...

[@patrickinberlin]

@@truthhertz10 I understand where you´re coming from. I think the point of the video is not to claim that he was one or the other, but to let the viewer decide. If you want him to state clearly that he was not a traitor, then the video cannot be called unbiased. If we shouldn´t be allowed ponder that question as you suggest, then all debate is stifled.

[@jefff8467]

I love this guy, he is great - He and his team provide great content and interesting stories.

[@darkermatter125.35]

He is a hero. And he has also said he would be willing to stand trial in the US, IF it was a fair trial. However, because of how the US government works with people in the NSA, this would be impossible, due to the regulations, keeping any evidence to support him would not be allowed in that court, even though it would be an internal affair.

[@theMOCmaster]

In the end, I'm glad that the public knows what we now know because of what Snowden did.

[@acetate909]

Isn't everyone except the NSA glad that we know what we know from Snowden?

[@acetate909]

@Phil Ad No? No one in this comment said what Snowden did was good. We said we're glad that we have the information. You can disagree with the leaks and still be glad that you know something that the government was hiding. I hope that you see the difference.

[@acetate909]

@Phil Ad There are better ways to peak into the locked files of the NSA and change an oppressive bureaucracy with unlimited funds and reach than leaking papers? What better ways are you offering?

[@chrsmcfrln]

Now we know our government has the same snooping capability as Facebook, organised crime, and at least two other foreign governments. And yet people still blissfully install Alexa in their homes. So what did he really achieve? Massive damage and embarrassment to the people who employed him, and after watching this video, I think that was his real objective all along.

[@acetate909]

@@chrsmcfrln Alexa is a product produced by a non governmental agency. I doubt that Amazon is allowing the NSA or CIA to use their products to spy. If you're implying that the government is hacking into products to spy on us it would be a lot more effective to use peoples cell phones. How many people have an Alexa in every room given they have an Alexa at all? By contrast nearly everyone has a cell phone and its known that its possible to turn cell phones into listening devices. So anyway you look at it your theory about Alexa doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

[@SlimThrull]

The idea of hero being mutually exclusive with traitor is a false dichotomy. It's possible to be both. And I think both words describe Snowden.

[@boycekline1902]

A traitor to the United States, a hero to Russia.

[@dontsubscribetome3262]

@@boycekline1902 *a traitor to the goverment a hero to the people

[@Raztiana]

Since he discovered and exposed corruption in a government, it makes him a hero. While I doubt that I would like the man, his selfless actions are far beyond impressive and admirable.

[@rdqmusic3936]

This title would have been more accurate without ‘or traitor’ at the end of it 👏

[@silverdarlin]

To quote Dan Bull... If you love your Country, your Country should love you too, but how can you trust someone who doesn't trust you?

[@michelem7786]

What a relief to read these comments. I thought I was all alone. Yes. Hero.

[@TerribleShmeltingAccident]

I think you meant “caused” @i like frogs

[@wendybusby9415]

Hero.

[@ski6712]

yes, how can spying on everyday citizen's be justified ? it can only be for nefarious purposes , they have let them down.

[@jjt1881]

No way, we are not alone. No mam.

[@michelem7786]

@@jjt1881 😀👍

[@radddish]

watching this video into the new year 2021🤞

[@bobgibb2272]

Should do a updated version of this

[@Glamosapien]

“We caught him trying to hack us” “Did he get in trouble” “not really he just almost got fired”

[@Jmnzz]

I need to do something historic so you can tell my life story with that pleasant voice.

[@rosakami1588]

Me too😅

[@hkchan1339]

Shoot a Kennedy ?

[@tomharding127]

This makes a really interesting movie. A guy on the run from the officials with everyone else trying to protect him is a James Bond type story.

[@ChuckHickl]

Oh how I love your current beard over this!

[@TheyCallMeApplePie]

Some people just give everything to change the world, that's why they deserve to be remembered long time from now.

[@SNUPE_FOXX92]

The James instead of Joseph blunder was hilarious 😂

[@capablanc]

10:00 that's not why Julian fled lol

[@selbalamir]

When’s Simon going to do a Simon bio episode

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

Snowden's a hero. You read that right CIA, FBI, NSA and all other alphabet agencies monitoring these posts, I said. "Snowden's a hero."

[@plzburnme3809]

Ok Jedi Knight

[@rinokumura7371]

Thank You, We Need More People Like Us

[@PHAToregon]

Rin Okumura people who capitalize every bloody word 🙄

[@Reach41]

Shocking news, none of those agencies, especially the NSA, care in the least about what you think or say.

[@albertthatcher8160]

. . . Aaannd IRS audit.

[@PoeticProse7]

He's a courageous man; with that kind of intelligence and skill he could have lived very comfortably despite corruption around him if he had turned a blind eye. The concept of using personal information to create a system of mass surveillance is beyond sinister. There's keeping a watchful eye and then there's violating human rights.

[@johnnolen8338]

The moral of this story is if you become convinced that what you've been hired to do is wrong then quit. But there's no justification for breaking your word.

[@emanergza6383]

If your oath is not to click a button but you realize that the button is an abort button from a nuke about to launch, then quit. Wow your brain damage is showing.

[@johnnolen8338]

@@emanergza6383 I did quit! ( To say even that much is probably more than I should say but that is kind of the point: If you disagree with your employer, there are other ways to address your grievances that do not entail committing treason.)

[@emanergza6383]

@@johnnolen8338 jump through every hoops and hurdles you want bootlicker, a constituent is not obligated to follow a treasonous government who break its own laws. I will not judge a man who chose to do the right thing against a corrupt and abusive government who not only bombed and killed thousands if not millions of innocents and kept lying about it. The US government isn't some benevolent government who made mistakes then got betrayed by Snowden, it was a malicious covert group of federal establishments colluding with each other to hide one another's stink. Go have brain damage somewhere else.

[@bluestrife28]

It just makes me feel bad. We grew up told all this stuff how we were better our way was better. But I mean, of course we are just like every other place, if not lacking the experience being a young nation. It just sucks. Some ppl feel so lost today because there has never once been truth :(

[@s.i7750]

"an unemployed failure" fug thats me

[@djsonicc]

The older I get, the more I'm starting to think he's a hero

[@lsxbird7874]

Anyone who takes up the courage to set his life down, and actively take on government corruption is a hero in my book. Hopefully the President will do the right thing , and bring this patriot home to his family

[@2ooooooooooo000]

I want to believe that...but he readily acknowledged Putin is an Autocrat. What Autocrat would allow asylum in exchange for nothing? The attacks on the last election were well planned.

[@why-qz6zq]

@@2ooooooooooo000 for nothing Putin got to help the guy who humiliated the American government.

[@godlygamer911]

@@2ooooooooooo000 ... So he should have just gone to federal prison forever? Shut up

[@naruii5160]

He was always a hero

[@PlanetRibooted]

@3:55 that’s my Battalion rolling into Baghdad!

[@stephenlane9168]

Enjoying all of your videos on all channels Simon. Keep up the great work. You’re going to be a millionaire very soon, hopefully? 👌

[@rickkrecl8183]

Thank you, you continue to impress me with your background information on these people, no-one else will show!! Great information!!

[@sarathkrishnasubramanian7884]

The channel and it's videos are grossly underappreciated. While people are busy watching contents from racist idiots and corporations, informative videos like this goes unnoticed. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@Biographics]

Nicest comment I read today. Thank you.

[@theparadigm8149]

Racist idiots, you say? Hmmmm… 🤔 Could you give some examples?

[@1donniekak]

I prefer to live in a free and open society, with all of the inherent risks. He’s a hero

[@diypictures]

If you're more concerned with what Snowden did rather than what he found, it speaks to what you're willing to allow in the guise of so called "patriotism".

[@ysheng6146]

Man had the balls to do what he felt was right. I respect that.

[@pallasathena1555]

Isn’t there a line in the constitution telling Americans to do that? Who are the real tyrants?

[@Truthorfib]

He did what was right but not one thing came out of it nor did anyone learn from it. Like imagine how many people are supporting Ukraine right now, completely forgetting they are basically lead by criminals in government. So if criminals are supporting Ukraine, then it begs to ask what is Ukraine and why are they so obssessed over it? And why Snowden who is a hero was given safety by Russia of all countries?

[@TakenByStormEquestrian]

No, I don’t.

[@cl5193]

It's hard to know what to think about Edward Snowden because we only know what we are told by an absolutely unreliable media. They've all lost credibility.

[@KUSHxKiNG]

Damn bro running half of KZbin’s inventory of content has aged you quite a bit over the years😂😂. Great work once again man

[@simplyrin210]

Hero for sure

[@henriducard2198]

Hero or traitor? The real question is....Are the two mutually exclusive?

[@notthedoctor8621]

Neither

[@an_interesting_name_5458]

Once your treason is successful you become a revolutionary

[@craigcrawford6595]

Of course they are mutually exclusive. .the question itself proves that....

[@333peacher4]

You nailed it!

[@justinh6651]

A heroic traitor.

[@TbjrL]

Joe Rogan did an interview with this guy it's worth a watch considering what he has to say is pretty eye opening.

[@JustAnotherAccount8]

yeah that was great, props to joe though, he didn't interrupt him and let him talk for 20 or so minutes straight

[@Primo_extracts]

Recognize the hotels from the lamps, that's impressive!

[@MercysNo.1]

7:08 But that breaks the"Gentleman's Code."

[@amosfletcher8574]

I'll tell you of Edward snowden, politicians from America will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who hanged heroes..honestly regardless of weather or not he's a hero or villain this guy inspires me he proves that big things start with humble beginnings

[@MrBubblecake]

Governments have been betraying their most loyal soldiers since Rome was established and the story of Scipio Africanus and how they immediately betrayed him after he saved them from Hannibal and Carthage’s armies speaks for itself. The man spent his entire life dedicated to the Roman military and fought some of their most vital battles and they betrayed him and killed him without a second thought

[@Alex-sh2st]

Snowden is a hero for saving us from an unconstitutional government program. He's a patriot who sacrificed his life in America for the American people. If more people had Snowden's courage, the shady corporations and government entities would have a harder time in taking advantage of our ignorance. In time I hope everyone will realize this and petition for a pardon so he can return home.

[@robertburke2749]

Well at least you are paying attention you'll be surprised how many people you talk to if they even know who this man is say he's a criminal unbelievable

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Well...he informed us....he didn't actually stop anything...

[@TakenByStormEquestrian]

Not courage, just greed and and a traitor

[@of8699]

@@TakenByStormEquestriana traitor for exposing a agency that spies on you?

[@LucifersConscious]

@@TakenByStormEquestrianCringe

[@claudettes9697]

I fricken love Simon and his shows. Solid production. 🙏🏻

[@atlys258]

Although he may be a flawed, messy, complicated man, he's a hero for doing what was right and necessary to deliver us the truth.

[@lipslide101]

I read his book: Permanent Record. He is a patriot who cares about the PEOPLE of his country. They deserve the truth and that's what he believes. You can call him traitor but in the end it's all depending on different perspectives.

[@vitkomusic6624]

not perspectives but context.. and the context is ww3.

[@DB-xp9px]

"heroes" don't run and hide and if he really thought he was a force for good, he would've stayed where his exoneration would've had real-life benefits for society as a whole

[@lipslide101]

@@DB-xp9px You must be joking right? What makes you think the authorities wouldn't lock him up and make sure he stays silent for the rest of his life? The fact of the matter is that he did a morally good thing by exposing the mass surveilance practices done by the NSA and CIA.

[@vespernight4236]

​@@DB-xp9pxlol yeah, many historic heros have never had to hide. Pull ur head out of your ass what was he going to do? Stay and let the US wring him out and toss him into their worst prison? For what? He can't do anymore there? Better to stay abroad in case he can come back. U have a childish view of heroism

[@Dogmeat1950]

yeah... He had Shinn Splits. It's the most common Injury in Basic Training. mostly due to people who don't run a lot in their lives/ I can promise you he didn't break both his legs in Basic Training.

[@Doey135]

Funny how not many people at the time or even now talk about this, just forgotten, just sweep it under the rug

[@cracklarock1941]

The NSA is at Ft.Meade not Ellicot City. At least that’s where I remember it being when I lived there.