A reporter asked Ray this morning (Jan. 3) to comment on the NYT’s suggestion that Snowden be offered a “plea bargain or some form of clemency.” Ray had time before the reporter arrived to prepare these talking points. (Sections within quotation marks below are from the Times editorial.)

1-“enormous value of the info he has revealed and the abuses he has exposed”

2-“… he has done his country a great service” in exposing a “runaway intelligence community.”

3-Thus, says the editorial, “It is time for the United States to offer Mr. Snowden a plea bargain or some form of clemency.”

4-How’s that? The word “clemency” comes from the Latin “clemens,” meaning to be merciful, usually applied to moderating the severity of punishment.

5-PUNISHMENT??? for doing his country “a great service?” Really? For revelations of “enormous value” about a “runaway intelligence community?” PUNISHMENT??? Really?

6-Hello!!! We should NOT be talking about “some form of clemency” to lessen punishment, but rather some form of honor. How about the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

7-I’m not against showing mercy, clemency. But wholly inappropriate to consider mercy/clemency for flagrant violation of oath to the U.S. Constitution – as Clapper, Alexander, Feinstein, Rogers, most FISA judges have all done – without prior acknowledgement of guilt and genuine remorse. Only then does it become appropriate to talk about plea bargain and clemency.