As time passes, Edward Snowden’s disclosures about the US intelligence apparatus loom ever larger and more heroic. SLL was initially skeptical that they weren’t just a stunt by that apparatus, using Snowden to let us all know that we were being watched 24/7. That skepticism fades the longer Snowden remains outside the US, and it’s encouraging to see him, and what he has done, embraced by the younger generation. From Robby Soave at theburningplatform.com:
International Students for Liberty Conference proves spread of libertarian ideas among millennials.
There are no heroes, only heroic actions. That’s what NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden told a cheering crowd of more than 1,000 libertarian students at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C. this weekend. Thanks to the magic of modern technology, Snowden was able to accept his award via video feed, and answered questions from ISFL President Alexander McCobin.
Snowden’s statement carried deep irony, given that the room universally and undeniably disagreed with him—he was their hero. While many students were also delighted to hear from Rand and Ron Paul, Justin Amash, John Stossel, Andrew Napolitano, and a host of other libertarian celebrities over the course of the weekend, Snowden was the main draw. He received standing ovation after standing ovation for his encouraging words about the importance of reining in government surveillance run amok.
That fact will not be surprising to anyone who has spent serious time at college campuses, talking to students, surveying their general sentiments about culture and politics. A libertarian lightning bolt has struck the under-30 crowd. The result has not been instant-conversion but a slow, general embrace of the idea that the government cannot be trusted to run our lives.
To continue reading: Libertarian Students Honor Edward Snowden
