“I have no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong.

I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions.

I will be satisfied if the federation of secret law, unequal pardon and irresistible executive powers that rule the world that I love are revealed even for an instant.

I know the media likes to personalize political debates, and I know the government will demonize me.

My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them.

I’m willing to sacrifice all of that [family, job, girlfriend, life etc.] because I can’t in good conscience allow the US government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they’re secretly building.

I am not afraid, because this is the choice I’ve made.

All my options are bad.

Yes, I could be rendered by the CIA. I could have people come after me. Or any of the third-party partners. They work closely with a number of other nations. Or they could pay off the Triads. Any of their agents or assets.

The only thing I fear is the harmful effects on my family, who I won’t be able to help any more. That’s what keeps me up at night.

You can’t wait around for someone else to act. I had been looking for leaders, but I realized that leadership is about being the first to act.

I don’t see myself as a hero because what I’m doing is self-interested: I don’t want to live in a world where there’s no privacy and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.”

Why Shouldn’t I Work for the NSA? (Good Will Hunting)