For instance, if you like the Washington Post, and read this article you'll be quite annoyed at the "have to lose your spine" remark. The message is then diluted.

If you're just a regular consumer who likes the iPhone you'd be annoyed at the latte status symbol quip. The message is then diluted.

I don't think comparison with Linus is equivalent because he doesn't publicly advocate much whereas that's mainly what Snowden does.

(Perhaps I should have included this in the original comment.)

It's not about rights, it's about desires and personal insecurities. People who derive pleasure from condescension are just telling you that they're vulnerable to manipulation via flattery. It's bad opsec! :P