During the debate the candidates discussed whether Eric Snowden, the NSA whistle blower that released secrets about how average Americans were being spied on, was a hero or a traitor. Hillary Clinton thought that since Snowden stole important and classified information he should face prosecution when he returns to America from exile. She felt like he could have been protected as a whistle blower and didn’t have to flee the country. Lincoln Chafee thought Snowden gave a great service to the country by releasing the information because the government was deliberately breaking the 4th amendment. O’Malley felt since he broke the law and put American lives at risk, he should be prosecuted. Sanders praised Snowden for educating Americans on how their civil liberties and constitutional rights were being undermined. He felt if he were prosecuted this good should be taken into consideration.
I’d disagree with Hillary Clinton that Snowden would have been protected as a whistle blower. It is doubtful the government would protect someone who is blowing the whistle on them and the fact that they were illegal spying and gathering information on their citizens with no due process. Snowden left his family, his friends, and his life to do what was right. He made a great personal sacrifice. If he returns to the country he will not be protected because he exposed the powerful.