The libertarian left has always been concerned about things like that.

I'm not of the libertarian left, the leak discussions didn't interest me much back then, except for the occasional false hope people kept spreading about how * was about to go down. After a while I realized it wasn't going to happen and lost interest.

I think if you go back in time, you'll find the same people who were vocal about the leaks/NSA/etc. back then are still vocal about it now, and the people who said little or nothing about it may be speaking up now (due to being a pro-Bush troll, or due to the disingenuous framing of the debate or annoying worship of Snowden).

BTW, I don't have a fond opinion of Snowden because he's a right winger. Last I checked, I'm not required to adore right wingers who do one or two things right.

With all the attacks on Obama, why should Snowden be off limits?

why can't he stfu so the focus can be the NSA?

He's almost George Zimmerman-like in his constant comments, etc