As you point out the frame of reference is important to consider when considering questions of who is a traitor or patriot. As such Snowden can be considered a Sino-Russian patriot and a traitor to America based on his actions. How lucky for him that he now lives in Russia.

I guess you never bother to read the news or inform yourself. There is more to the world than what is inside your skull.

That is the politically correct view on Slashdot, yes.

Let's apply that logic again.

You don't like agency X.
Agency X did a legal thing.
Ergo agency X did an illegal thing.

That's not right. You appear to be the one full of it.

It isn't just a question of there being "enemies of the state," but rather there being enemies willing to kill in large numbers.

If the enemy doesn't get tired of attacking, should the US just stop defending and let people die? Or should the US just surrender, force people to convert to Islam, and institute Sharia?

I refer you to Public Law 107-40. It is legally equivalent to a declaration of war. That is settled law.

Identifying the enemy is a trivial exercise left to the reader.

Snowden admitted that he took the job at NSA to steal documents. He planned it from the beginning.

There is no evidence that he made a meaningful attempt to complain about the legality of the programs. You would think that since he managed to steal 1,700,000 documents that he might have managed to nab a personal email or two to demonstrate that, but no. Why not? Maybe because it never happened and was irrelevant to his plan from the start which was to steal documents.

The surveillance programs were backed by Congress, the President, and some were even subject to the courts. In previous cases that have tested similar questions the courts have accepted them. So who appointed Snowden to overthrow the process of our democratic form of government as well as damage the security of America's allies?

There are a number of interesting parallels between Snowden's case and that of Kim Philby. Both apparently were driven by ideology. Philby was driven by communism. Snowden became disaffected with the US years before he stole the documents, and displays a misinformed and warped view of the Constitution and law of the US. Snowden seems to have something of a martyr complex as well. I have little doubt he quite satisfied with himself.

As to other rewards involving payments, who can tell? We can't exactly see his bank account, can we?

One thing we can note if the growing number of instances of odd actions or statements by Snowden that are suspicious. Why did the Russian government claim to be surprised by Snowden's arrival when he is reported to have stayed for days at the Russian embassy in Hong Kong? How did it happen that a personal friend of Putin that is also on the public committee of the successor agency to the KGB is the lawyer representing Snowden in Russia? Where is the proof that he really tried to file complaints in the NSA? (He can steal Australian plans to bug Indonesian government officials, but not is own emails? Really?) Snowden claims to have been a spy, and yet his job was a system administrator. The list goes on, and on.

Benjamin Franklin opened other colonist's mail for intelligence purposes in the Revolutionary War. George Washington ran a spy ring during and after the Revolutionary War that spied on other colonists.

It seems there is more to establishing and keeping the American Republic than you understand. Perhaps you just aren't capable. What a pity.

You seem to be making brazenly irrational claims of treason not supported by the Constitution which strictly limits charges of treason and its proof. You don't know what you are talking about when it comes to the Constitution or the law. You also apparently have a footgear fetish.

Snowden committed espionage. He's lucky he hasn't been charged with Aiding the Enemy. It would be appropriate.

Just because you don't like the view doesn't make it a troll.

Very nice, but I see you neglected to quote any of the legislation authorizing the activities of the intelligence agencies.

Any reason for that?

Another part of the problem is people making bullshit claims like this.

I find that people repeatedly make whatever assumption is necessary to give Snowden a pass.

One question though: Russia started making significant upgrades to its electronic surveillance and intelligence systems after Snowden's leaks. They also moved off from computers to typewriters for some highly sensitive documents. If they already knew all that Snowden stole, why would they do that now? Why not earlier?

Snowden badly damaged not only US intelligence but also the intelligence services of many of its allies by leaking massive numbers of classified documents as well as causing numerous diplomatic problems. He leaked far, far more than just aspects of operations that might have a civil rights dispute. Snowden is no patriot.