What information does Snowden have that the NSA is so concerned about?

[Savannahmann]

15. I'm leaning towards your line of thought.

If the case is as it appears, that once you're in the Top Secret Network, that is to say the dedicated military/intelligence network that handles the Top Secret Data, you have access to everything. Then it would appear that they failed to properly compartmentalize anything. Snowden could have as you say, the crown jewels. (Interesting side note, the report on the CIA conducting illegal operations in the 1960's was called the Family Jewels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Jewels_(Central_Intelligence_Agency) )

It's an interesting read, if you like long reports about a decade of violations of the law that were never punished. (Where are the law and order types on that kind of thing)

If the Government was so unwise as to put all the eggs in one basket, as seems to be the case, then you are left with little option but expecting the very worst to come true. Every dirty trick, every illegal operation, every infiltration of progressive groups would be out there in the light of day if Snowden has them.

But if you are aware of that kind of illegal operation, then you have to assume that Snowden does have it.

The peace during the Cold War was maintained by Mutually Assured Destruction, or so the story goes. We could not attack the Soviets, because while we would destroy them, they would certainly return the favor. Apparently Snowden thinks he can set up a similar scenario. One where if he gets nicked, killed, or just vanishes (I wonder who does that sort of thing and if that is some of the information they are worried he has) then it is likely that this secret information would be dumped.

If you were a friend of Snowden, a confidant, even an associate. I'd be very careful right about now. If the Government is willing to violate the Vienna Conventions to search President Morales' plane, then who knows what they would do if they had reason to suspect that a friend of his was holding the information, or the key.