I think the US government is engaging in a massive overreach, and I think that other countries have an opportunity to develop sane data protection laws. Normally, when you want data on one person, you get a warrant for data on that person. The US government, however, has decided that the rational move is to demand indiscriminate access to the records and communications of over 400,000 Lavabit customers.
I skimmed these pages as well, and it seems obvious now that you can no longer trust a legal system to protect your privacy. We (hackers) need to combat this with a technical system.
I would also note that it seems incredibly clear that Ladar Levison knew what was at stake: for himself, for Snowden, for his company, and for his users. His decision to shutter his doors was his last option to protect their 4th amendment rights and I'm absolutely amazed he made the right call here.
