I'm in two minds about this. Focussing on this issue is obviously important but I think the general public gets bored of it after a few days. They are much more interested in the human story. Keeping them hooked on that with the obvious regular explanation of who Snowden is and why he's in the news might get people to want to look into the actual story more. And if there is a big 'break' in the story (Snowden captured, makes it to Ecuador, etc.) people will be hooked and then the story of the spying will hold their attention. People (and I include myself) are much more interested in a story about other humans than a computer hacking/spying story that doesn't really involve many specific people directly.
Not sure if you're using sarcasm[1] or not, but Echelon is accepted fact and has been for many years.
The European Parliament held reports on the capabilities of Echelon. Industrial espionage has been linked to Echelon.
The purpose of Echelon (intercept communications data) is the stated purpose of GCHQ. Really, it's on their website and in their recruiting material. They monitor all communications, anywhere in the world, from DC to light.
Echelon isn't fantastic weird conspiracy theory.
[1] Sarcasm is not useful in text and it's especially not useful on a forum like HN, where there tends to be a higher number of users who are more literal than the regular population.
For the majority of the population, they have either never heard of echelon, never took it seriously or have outright dismissed it as a crazy conspiracy irrespective of the previous proof.
I think of all these things are coming out now as an opportunity to have a serious discussion about wtf the US (and humanity) is doing.
It's time to work as a global civilization. Our resources are squandered on creating truly a prison planet (no reference or credit to Alex jones).
