I read about this stuff. I think it actually makes sense. I mean, think about it… If he hadn't been to cowardly to face the music for what he claimed was a righteous and honorable action, he wouldn't have spent the last decade and a half either bunged up in some embassy or in jail for the past five years in Britain. He'd likely have been fined and sentenced to four or five years, and been out on probation in two — certainly not more than ten years.

He believed in what he was doing until there were consequences he was too scared to face. Him and Snowden both. We need people to reveal things hidden from us sometimes; but that comes with consequences we also need them to be brave enough to face. Otherwise, the value of what they may reveal is lost in their inability to stand on what they've done.