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In calling Thomas Tamm "hero" but George Bush "law-breaker," he demonstrates that he's more interested in partisan advantage than he is in law.
Except for the not-so-small fact that President Bush has, in fact, admitted to the nation that he did indeed authorize illegal surveillance operations. Put bluntly, he admitted he's a law breaker; the fact he has (thus far) escaped prosecution for this doesn't negate the fact.
As for Mr. Tamm, we can debate his heroism all we want. Ultimately the fact he chose to follow a set of convictions which for him transcended the bureaucratic structure that employed him sets him apart from many of his fellows. I don't know if that makes him a 'hero', but certainly speaks to his bravery.
Then again, I once heard "a hero is someone who is too scared not to be a coward".
The law is the law.
So was slavery in most of the United States prior to January 1, 1863. So were the Poll Tests used throughout the southern US until after 1965.
Just saying.
Apply the letter universally, or not at all.
So say we all.