Two of the New York Times' most high-profile columnists, David Brooks and Thomas Friedman, have sort of taken the Obama administration's side in the controversy over whether Edward Snowden helped or hurt the U.S. by disclosing government spying programs.

The Times itself, however, has sided with Snowden.

From Wednesday's editorial:

Whatever his crimes — and he clearly committed some — Mr. Snowden did not commit treason, though the people who have long kept the secrets he revealed are now fulminating with rage.

The Times says that should Snowden be caught (he's in hiding at the moment) and convicted of a crime, he'll have done so in the name of "civil disobedience."

@eScarry