HN contrarians don't wanna hear that - they routinely gobble up the narrative that the US is less free than Russia and other autocracies.
> they routinely gobble up the narrative that the US is less free than Russia and other autocracies
There are certainly periodic discussions suggesting the US is less free than it's own PR would suggest, but that's not at all the same thing.
I fully agree IT in every industry deserves more respect, but Snowden is thoroughly enjoying his new found celebrity post-defection. To deny this is part of his motivation is to be blind.