To be fair, it's not like the US hasn't had it share of human-rights abuses before, just historically less than some other countries.
As for the Snowden extradition actually being a human-rights issue that's another story. I get that what he did was probably morally right but it was still illegal. I'm not sure why everyone is so shocked (SHOCKED, I say!) at the US wanting to prosecute him.
That said, the US would be smart to just forget about the whole thing. The damage has been done and this continued talk about prosecution for Snowden is making him a martyr.
Jews were legally killed as far as the Nazis were concerned.
Just become something is legal - in this case a wrong assertion because spying on citizens is against the constitution so it is illegal - does not mean that it complies with Human Rights.
Quite a stretch between divulging state secrets to anti-semitism and homophobia combined with murder.
The fact is that Snowden had the opportunity to quit when he found out what his work was going to entail or what his work was being applied to if he didn't approve. He continued to work and collect a paycheck. He knew he was breaking the law.
As much whining goes on here at HN about the lack of personal responsibility it's ironic that there's a ton of people so willing to not face the facts about the situation.
As for the Snowden extradition actually being a human-rights issue that's another story. I get that what he did was probably morally right but it was still illegal. I'm not sure why everyone is so shocked (SHOCKED, I say!) at the US wanting to prosecute him.
That said, the US would be smart to just forget about the whole thing. The damage has been done and this continued talk about prosecution for Snowden is making him a martyr.