Snowden's name being released was probably the single greatest gift anyone could have given Obama. Snowden is a distraction, pure and simple. Why he leaked them does not matter. The only thing that matters is what the documents show. By coming forward, Snowden actually gave the media something to focus on other than the recent events of USG. If his intent was simply to inform the populace and start a ball rolling, he actually did damage to his cause by revealing his name so early in the process. Between Benghazi and the IRS goings on, Obama and his administration were already on the hook. It kind of makes you wonder (in a silly tin foil hat kind of way), if Snowden's name needed to be released at all. If the documents are legitimate, is it possible that they would have withstood scrutiny on their own without attaching the name of the whistleblower? Release information concerning activities government agencies have been doing legally under current laws that will spark lots of debate, piss off many, and keep the media wrapped up in an orgasmic emotional frenzy that can not be directly tied to those already in trouble over situations that can be directly linked to them. But since this is so big, focus on the other issues is lost. At then end of the day, what will actually change in regards to the NSA, FISA, etc.? I'd put my money on slap on the wrist(a few heads will roll), public apology, a few people getting up on soapboxes to get elected, and then everything goes back under the cover of darkness. Yeah.... It's actually quite easy to take the trip down that rabbit hole. It's easy to see the benefits. Alright.... flame away.....