Edward Snowden, former NSA security analyst, does not only deserve clemency, he deserves a medal. Without his personal sacrifice, and those of Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange, as well as the efforts of the "Anonymous" hackers, we would not be having crucial conversations about our own government's spying and other illegal activites. The totalitarian efforts of the NSA and other intelligence-gathering and enforcement organizations, including the US Congress and President, are a violation of the Founding Fathers principles of open and responsive government and personal liberty. Mr. Snowden, Mr. Assange, and poor, imprisoned Private Manning are patriots and martyrs.