Ellsberg is in many ways to mold from which modern day whistleblowers were cast. Edward Snowden said in an interview recently that when he was debating internally about whether or not he should become a whistleblower, knowing the ramifications it would have for his life, Ellsberg was what gave him the courage to do so. It was nice to learn that while in exile Snowden was able to get connected with Ellsberg and develop a friendship with him. Unfortunately Snowden and other modern day whistleblowers seem to have suffered more than Ellsberg who got off on something of a technicality.