These [NSA] programs were never about terrorism: they're about economic spying, social control, and diplomatic manipulation. They're about power.

My case clearly demonstrates the need for comprehensive whistleblower protection act reform. If we had had a real process in place, and reports of wrongdoing could be taken to real, independent arbiters rather than captured officials, I might not have had to sacrifice so much to do what at this point even the President seems to agree needed to be done.

My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate.

I've been watching The Wire recently.

We've learned that we've allowed technological capabilities to dictate policies and practices, rather than ensuring that our laws and values guide our technological capabilities.

We need to put the security back in the National Security Agency. We can't have the national surveillance agency.

What I wanted to do was give society the information it needed to decide if it wanted to change the system.