He strikes me more as a possible savior.
The word "Hero" has been overused to point of effectivelessness. It pertains to cases where no sacrifices are made, when trying to survive on a personal level , to where epic sacrifices are made for the greater good.
I'll go with savior for the purpose of this post.
Edward Snowden finds himself in the highly stressful, but potentially very satisfying (and awesomely historic,) position of being the man who saw what faced America, through the PRISM of preserving one's spirit, when faced with the opportunity to pursue the "greater good."
It appears that his betrayal of PRISM was in response to his loyalty to ideals that he couldn't stand to lose. Altruism stems from the self, when all is said and done. I can't live with myself if.... Well, that's at least how it appears to me. If I want to love myself, I have to meet certain conditions. I have to deserve my own self love. Is this a Universal sense, or merely a particularity? Not sure. Seems as if a lot of people have low standards, when in comes to what will allow them to sleep at night.
He had nothing to gain, and too much to lose to be seen as a Traitor. But, that is what a sizable percentage still sees him as, according to the poll people. I only hope that they wise up before he enters his posthumous stage, or before the rest of the world is able to get a good laugh, as they wach our empire collapse like so many a house of cards.
From my perspective, Edward Snowden, gathered up the evidence, from his perch on the precipice. He then watched warily-- what was happening to those who too, blew the whistle. Hmmm. Bradley Manning nude in solitary, Barrett Brown facing 105 years and dissalowed bail, Julia Davis being hunted by Black Hawk, Susan Lindeuer, Moshe Jospeh, Justin Carter being jailed for 5 months for what amounts to sarcasm, Brandon Raub, Anthony Schoolcraft, Jaquelin Montalvo..... More. All cases where law has not been followed, and sickening depths were reached in efforts to disredit the truth tellers.
With the internet, now a repository of massive amounts of information -- Snowden didn't have to go further than his own lap -- to see the fate of those who rose to similar ocassions. I.e couldn't abide the sinister lawlessness they were witnessing in a country where this shit wasn't supposed to happen.
Staying put was less desirable than ending up with Putin. "Facing the Music," did not mean a fair trial, or anything resembling the tune so many seem to hear when they think of our justice system. It would lead him to be murdered as Michael Hastings( more than likely) was. Then, no investigation would be made, or if made-- never publicized. Or, he'd be "lucky" enough to spend his days in solitary-- where he'd think " What a reckless retard I am. How did I still trust this country, after ALL THAT. "
He sacrificed his citizenship, his livelihood, all security-- to save us from the abyss. That's a lot of pressure, young man, but you have finally been let free of that transit zone. But, that's only literal. You will never be free of the figurative chasm of the American Dream you were sold, and the reality you saw during your days in PRISM, and beyond.
And, now the only way for you to find "closure," is when the vast majority of Americans voice their support for your sacrifice, and pledge to make their own to save what you salvaged. And, you are allowed to return to the country you served/saved. To a hero's welcome.