"If we 'consider' this, it's because the most important information is still not out there, yet."
So it's basically counter-productive, unless your goal is to get the public behind the NSA in order to hang Snowden one way or the other.
My opinion is that this is exactly it. Once Snowden is here, the "amnesty" will end just as soon as they can hang a false statements charge on him, then parade him in handcuffs or on trial to discredit everything associated with him, including Greenwald et al stories, after which they can continue their business as usual. Make no mistake that Clapper, Alexander and Holder would LOVE to make a Rosenberg out of him.