Former Texas GOP Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul has launched an online petition to persuade the Obama administration to grant clemency to the US’s most notorious whistleblower,?Edward Snowden. The former National Security Agency contractor, as we all know, is wanted for treason and espionage for leaking classified documents detailing the US’s widespread surveillance program. Paul’s website urges signers of the petition to help “bring Edward home before his amnesty in Russia expires on July 31, 2014.”
“On June 5th, 2013, Edward Snowden sacrificed his livelihood, citizenship, and freedom by exposing the disturbing scope of the NSA’s worldwide spying program. Thanks to one man’s courageous actions, Americans know about the truly egregious ways their government is spying on them,”?Paul says in the website video. “By signing this petition, you are telling the US government that Mr. Snowden deserves the right to come home without the fear of persecution or imprisonment.”
Last month, US Attorney General Eric Holder told MSNBC that he would be willing to “engage in conversation” with Snowden were he to return from Russia, but that “clemency would be going too far.” President Obama, the only person who could grant Snowden clemency, has repeatedly made the case that he should stand trial.
In June of last year, Edward Snowden defended his actions in an interview with The Guardian, stating:
“I really want the focus to be on these documents and the debate which I hope this will trigger among citizens around the globe about what kind of world we want to live in.?My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them.”
Snowden is seen as a hero in many parts of the world for exposing the alarming scale of our nation’s spying program. Late last month, two Norwegian politicians nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that he has “contributed to a more stable and peaceful world order.”
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Joseph Guyer?lives in Texas. An ad man by trade, he firmly agrees?with Bill Clinton that there is nothing wrong with America that can’t be cured by what is right with America. You can read more of his work at?Liberals Unite?and follow him on Twitter?@joerobguy.
