During what is arguably the most difficult period in U.S. history, Honest Abe expressed his hopes that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The NSA surveillance program goes against this principle. It poses a substantial threat to the social contract and is illegal both domestically and globally. Edward Snowden’s revelations about these activities were done so in the public interest and set him apart from many other Americans charged with espionage by the U.S. government- he is a whistleblower. For this reason, in the eyes of the international community he has committed a non-violent political crime (under the assumption that he has committed a crime). Because of this and other reasons, granting Snowden political asylum is absolutely within Russia’s rights. One can witness a large effort on behalf of the US government, from the latter half of the 20th century …show more content…
For too long the public hasn’t been able to provide its consent or express disapproval because it has been increasingly left out from decision making and kept in the dark. The Fourth Amendment in the Bill of Rights clarifies that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Citizens and those who fall under the jurisdiction of the US are thus entitled to privacy, and the government is only allowed to suspend this right with a reasonable basis, probable clause and a warrant. Under the First Amendment “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech... and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, subsequent Patriot Act of 2001 and FISA