Dear Editor:
It comes across like a plot for a thriller: high levels of intrigue, international ramifications, secret government programs and secrets revealed, and protagonist Edward Snowden being hunted down by the legal resources of the USA superpower.
Even while Albertans empathize with our southern neighbours in the flood-damaged south, the distraction of this international caper has become an emotional and intellectual teaser. Real flesh and blood, non-fictional fare that pits an apparent conscience driven whistleblower with the most powerful nation in the world: a David and Goliath situation that seems more like a real life version of the Bourne Conspiracy.
Does a government have the right to spy on its citizens by secretly collecting data so that it can protect against, external and internal threats?
It a complicated discussion and it might take years to clarify. But in the meantime, you could be caught up is this drama, if you want: a perfect real life lesson for a civics or a social studies class, except that students are in the midst of exams and my guess is they do not want unsolicited distractions.
George Jason