Brokenhalo, I think you make an accurate observation - " limited public attention span fostered by the 30-second soundbite." It's to expected with the continuous onslaught of new "news," new crises, new thing to be afraid of. Corporate media has great resources and skill at manipulating public opinion. I am doing my dead level best to be alert to it in myself...it's insidious! So waffling on Snowden...how could it be otherwise? However, not I. I am on fire with attention on this and he has joined Bradley Manning in my esteem as the very definition of a hero...descending into Hades to face annihilation and preserve goodness, and like the tragic hero, emerging forever changed, forever scarred. I myself will never forget and never wane in my support, of both of these young men.

There actually are large crowds gathering both at Bradley Manning's trial location, all over the US, and the world, But the corporate owned news is not reporting it.

We are Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden.

Baaaaa....

And there it is folks! Works every time.