The post that was quoted here has been removed
I wish Mr Snowden well in Russia, I think they can appreciate his need for some protection.
I had a security type job for a while, which could of led to a very basic data spying role, but I really really didn't want that type of job, it seemed more precarious working for govt then it did in a company. I read up on MI5 & MI6 - the wiki articles on the Directors of both are very informative - but didn't paint it as a great place to work - they have a lot of infighting - you see that in companies plus James Jesus Angleton characters who suspected everyone a potential traitor.
How hard they are on Snowden in the US is a reflection of how hard they are on themselves - if they wish life in prison on him, they too could be facing that in an unfriendly country. Its a bit of a 'super human' job espionage. They are all to human - and can have big differences of opinion. (they could have lives like an Akon video if they wanted it)
From what I've read of the PRISM system it sounds like an aggregation of corporate data that was already out there - I think it better the US Govt be in charge of it then leaving it entirely to the companies. If it were a military system his disclosures would be very serious but its not as such.
I hope after some reflection the US Govt show some compassion towards him - He should go on trial but he has not robbed a convenience store at gunpoint, he tried his best in maybe a deluded way - if he faced 5 years or less in prison and a fair trial where he could well be found innocent and just looses his CIA job that sounds reasonable. It sounds like part of him wants that but just does not want to be locked up forever for it.