It has been my suspicion, since it was revealed that he initiated contact with writers at The Guardian as early as January, that Edward Snowden sought the job at Booz Allen Hamilton as a means of obtaining the documents he wanted.
Now we know for sure. via TPM
Snowden made the statement in a June 12 interview with South China Morning Post that was published on Monday.
“My position with Booz Allen Hamilton granted me access to lists of machines all over the world the NSA hacked,” Snowden said. “That is why I accepted that position about three months ago.”
Snowden did not simply stumble upon information he found troubling after he was hired and then decide to leak it to the public. He engaged in a conspiracy to obtain and leak documents.
I feel that’s an important distinction. And ultimately, the documents he leaked do not say what he thought they said.
Now, if only more Americans had the luxury of taking on a job with a salary of $122,000 with the expressed intent of quitting four weeks later because you’re high on delusions of grandeur while engaged in some ideological crusade in partnership with Glenn Greenwald.
He may have been willing to give it all up, but don’t expect much praise from those who can only dream of pissing away such an opportunity. Now ask me what I really think.
Privilege is a hell of a drug.