"In any event, we were all better off before Edward Snowden’s name came out. We were better off because, as Peter Daou tweets, “Insiders have closed ranks, public apathy provides cover, media spotlight now on Snowden.” The last part is crucial. Given the choice between discussing a story about the erosion of our Fourth Amendment rights, or a weird leaker (and let’s be clear, whistleblowers are, by nature, going to be weird), the media will always choose the latter."

"Whistleblowers almost have to be weird, because most normally-adjusted people wouldn’t risk their lives, their freedom, their girlfriends — all for the honor of pissing off their country. There are no ticker tape parades or 72 virgins waiting for men like Edward Snowden."