I guess that's exactly what I'm saying: You cannot be a true activist without taking heat from the powers that be and not running from them. So I guess we must agree to disagree. That being said, I think if you look at activists that have been studied and/or revered throughout history most have paid a steep price (many with their lives) for causes they support.
The idea that Snowden, by giving up his entire life and making himself a refugee, isn't "taking heat" is an illogical talking point designed to smear him. You try fleeing your country permanently, leaving behind friends and family, and living stateless for weeks with the world's foremost superpower trying to bargain for you and tell me you're not "taking heat".
"jgalt212" takes that position, eh? Have you read the book from whence your name comes? Taking the heat aint exactly part of the objectivist stance. I'm no objectivist, but I am an activist. Sometimes going to jail is a useful part of activism. Sometimes it is a waste of time, money, and life.
I'd rather Manning were not in jail. The information he revealed is his activism. Act of civil disobedience with the intention of being arrested has its place...it definitely has its place. Many dear friends of mine were arrested at the Texas capitol during the recent anti-abortion bill fracas, and I fully support their actions (one chained herself to the railing in the gallery; absolutely amazing and inspiring and impressive given that state troopers were confiscating everything suspicious going into the gallery, including tampons and condoms...she managed to get chains and a lock in). Their arrest was a source of massive media attention, including front page of the Austin Statesman...and that was the goal: making people aware of what was happening at the legislature.
Manning didn't need to be arrested to bring that attention to the leaked information, and it's unfortunate that our government, all the way up to the president (who promised openness, transparency, and to defend whistleblowers), are cowardly enough to shoot the messenger rather than address the crimes revealed by these leaks.
I'm not willing to die because I think drug laws are too harsh (largely because I no longer use them), so obviously random people getting shot by mistake isn't a problem!
Never mind that I am willing to participate in less violent activism for that cause, I'm not a true scotsman.. er I mean activist.
Also, since I don't see you lining up to die for your stance on Snowden and Manning, you must not actually mean it - by your definition of course. Why should anyone care about it?
Throwing yourself upon a pyre is only furthers your cause when very specific conditions are met. For Rosa Parks and MLK, those conditions were met. For Snowden, they surely were not.
There is no reason to throw yourself upon a pyre if it does not further your cause, and indeed many reasons not to.
