I believe that Snowden's actions were technically criminal, even perhaps technically treasonous. I also believe that he was a patriotic whistleblower, and that his actions are pardonable. The letter seeks to oppose these two ideas, but they are not logically contradictory. The law is not always morally correct, and a presidential pardon is a way to correct this in extraordinary circumstances.
I do believe that Snowden should have been willing to be incarcerated for what he did. However, I believe he did his (my) country an exceptional service, and he should be exonerated on that basis.
> "I've volunteered to go to prison with the government many times," Snowden said in an interview with the BBC that aired Monday. "What I won't do is I won't serve as a deterrent to people trying to do the right thing in difficult situations."
I do believe that Snowden should have been willing to be incarcerated for what he did. However, I believe he did his (my) country an exceptional service, and he should be exonerated on that basis.