In so many ways, the experience of Julian Assange serves as a Berenstein Bears verson of how not to do it. And Edward Snowden clearly took those lessons to heart. Instead of trusting some magic software, Snowden takes it directly to the media himself. And where Assange discounts the warnings of a government smear campaign, Snowden is actively fighting back on the character front.
I have my doubts about Obama and his legacy, but I have no doubt at all that Clinton will not pardon him, ever, when she ascends the iron throne.
As long as Snowden remains free, I have some hope that this whole thing can be turned around. My fear is that the news machine will stop viewing him as relevent, and it’ll be Gary Webb all over again. In a very real way, I think Oliver Stone is helping to keep Edward Snowden alive.
