First off, I’m in favour of Edward Snowden. However, this is a highly dubious argument. Actually, it’s about as internet as an argument can get. Nazis did this, therefore bad. As I recall the Nazis were also pro-environment, constructed Germany’s Autobahn (which exists to this day), and prosecuted people for stealing. Environmentalism, infrastructure and law enforcement aren’t uniquely Nazi ideals any more than slapping the label of “treason” on everything.
The “crimes” the German leakers were convicted of here carried the same penalties across the world, and still do in many places, as is evident here. Put aside the highly emotive subject matter, though. At the risk of getting embroiled in comparisons, a US agent leaking the names of undercover agents in North Korea would get considerably less sympathy, but would be charged the same.
What I’m saying is, executing Edward Snowden would be wrong (in my opinion), but it wouldn’t be wrong just because the Nazis did it. It would be wrong because someone working for truth and transparency was so harshly shot down.
This is a very complex issue and it irks me to no end to see simplifications like this. There are so many different factors between these two, and the similarities aren’t justifiable enough to warrant calling the US government fascist.
