A concientious objector.

It is an interesting fact of life that some citizens are conscientious objectors and others are not. Why is this the case? What is it in their psychological makeup that predisposed them to standout against the crowd. Edward Snowden the US whistleblower has clearly set himself apart and will now have a life that is under some form of threat. As an intelligent man he would have foreseen this eventuality. If I put on my one time psychoanalysts hat I would suggest a - superego ideal. Meaning there is an unconscious internal object that is idealized and either feared or venerated. So his behaviour would have been measure against this internal world and not by the world of his peers or friends. He said is his interview that is was a "moral issue". However having that internal world is one thing, acting in the real world is another. The opprobrium from the president down will be disturbing, this internal self will have to protect him from this onslaught. Its worth watching the interview on the Guardian website for a better understanding. It will not be an easy time for Snowden from now on.