You are being watched

[Cyborg Girl]

More shit just keeps rolling in.

[FZR1KG]

More shit just keeps rolling in.

Ah, memories of the Coalition Of the Willing.

[/quote]
By 2010, two years after the project was first trialled, it was able to boast it had the "biggest internet access" of any member of the Five Eyes electronic eavesdropping alliance, comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
[/quote]

Maybe we should rename them, COC, the Countries Of Cunts.

[The Supreme Canuck]

Here's another little bit of data: the Canadian communications intelligence agency, the CSE, was until a few years ago a small office operated out of the Department of National Defence. Then they spun it off into its own agency... and they're building a huge $900 million HQ for them here in Ottawa. I've seen it. They're expanding in a big way.

[Cyborg Girl]

Hey, at least it creates jobs.

[Rommie]

And Snowden is off- enroute to Moscow though that's not his final destination (I guess he's connecting through).

It's still not entirely clear to me if the guy was thinking of asylum in Iceland or Ecuador just why he'd not go there first, or at least to the same hemisphere.

[SciFiFisher]

And Snowden is off- enroute to Moscow though that's not his final destination (I guess he's connecting through).

It's still not entirely clear to me if the guy was thinking of asylum in Iceland or Ecuador just why he'd not go there first, or at least to the same hemisphere.

I think he did something he knew was a really stupid idea and then panicked. Now, he is trying to find someplace "safe". Of course, if we really wanted him that badly the drone strike would have already happened.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I think he did something he knew was a really stupid idea and then panicked. Now, he is trying to find someplace "safe". Of course, if we really wanted him that badly the drone strike would have already happened.

Great, that depresses me even more. To quote the Material Defender from Descent 3: "Great, Ruthless Corporate Psycothics on one side, Amateur Do-Gooders on the other"

All the hoopla about this nincompoop keeps triggering the bullshit alarm in my head.

[Rommie]

And Snowden is off- enroute to Moscow though that's not his final destination (I guess he's connecting through).

It's still not entirely clear to me if the guy was thinking of asylum in Iceland or Ecuador just why he'd not go there first, or at least to the same hemisphere.

I think he did something he knew was a really stupid idea and then panicked. Now, he is trying to find someplace "safe". Of course, if we really wanted him that badly the drone strike would have already happened.

Actually thinking of the population density of Hong Kong this is now the first seriously compelling reason I've heard for going there first. Unlike rural Pakistan you couldn't do one there without killing a few hundred Chinese citizens.

[FZR1KG]

And Snowden is off- enroute to Moscow though that's not his final destination (I guess he's connecting through).

It's still not entirely clear to me if the guy was thinking of asylum in Iceland or Ecuador just why he'd not go there first, or at least to the same hemisphere.

I think he did something he knew was a really stupid idea and then panicked. Now, he is trying to find someplace "safe". Of course, if we really wanted him that badly the drone strike would have already happened.

Actually thinking of the population density of Hong Kong this is now the first seriously compelling reason I've heard for going there first. Unlike rural Pakistan you couldn't do one there without killing a few hundred Chinese citizens.

What's a few hundred in 600 million?

[Cyborg Girl]

A lot, if it happens in a country with as much economic (never mind military) clout as China.

[Rommie]

GJ, I think that was FZ's attempt to be a bit tongue in cheek.

Rumors abound as to his next destination- I find it interesting that many seem to think he'll be heading to Havana for his next connection, and the second that happened there was a rush by reporters to buy tickets for the flight. Makes sense I suppose.

I did hear many speculate however that from there he wants to connect via Venezuela to get to Ecuador. Sigma, looks like the fun might be heading your way!

[Sigma_Orionis]

If I get to see him, I'll kick him in the nuts.

Not for you damned gringo imperialist infidels (TM), I'll do it because the SOB made more money than me.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Since rumor has it that one of the places that offered asylum to Snowden was us, you might find this article amusing:

Airstrip One Proud To Welcome Data Freedom Fighter (Updated)

[Sigma_Orionis]

Uhhhh, what is this?

Edward Snowden's father proposes return conditions

[Sigma_Orionis]

Hmmm I think Pooty has decided that Snowned is becoming a liability...

Russia's Putin tells Snowden to stop US secrets leak

[Parrothead]

I agree with his father, treason could be going far (though I guess stealing gov't documents could be classified as such), but Snowden did break US laws by releasing classified info.

I was amused reading or hearing on the radio, kinda ironic that it is Ecuador where asylum is being seeked/offerred, for both Assange and Snowden. Apparently, Ecuador's gov't recently passed some legislation that makes it a criminal offence to criticize the gov't. So basically, if they acted the same way in the future, leaking info about Ecuador, as they have against the US, they likely would be arrested.

[Rommie]

Snowden requests asylum in Russia- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23138073

You know, in case this wasn't Cold War enough!

[Sigma_Orionis]

From Rommie's link

Vladimir Putin: "He should cease his work aimed at damaging our American partners"

President Barack Obama, speaking earlier in Tanzania, said Washington and Moscow had held "high level" discussions about Mr Snowden.

According to Russia's Interfax news agency, Mr Snowden's application for asylum was handed to a consular official at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport late on Sunday evening.

The application was delivered by Sarah Harrison, a member of the Wikileaks legal team acting as Mr Snowden's representative, Kim Shevchenko was quoted by the news agency saying.

Russia's Federal Migration Service has denied the report, which appeared in the New York Times earlier.

I smell a deal

[Sigma_Orionis]

And now, direct from Moscow, brought to you by Wikileaks:

Snowden accuses Obama of blocking asylum requests

[SciFiFisher]

I agree with his father, treason could be going far (though I guess stealing gov't documents could be classified as such), but Snowden did break US laws by releasing classified info.

He has not been charged with treason. He has been charged with two counts of espionage and one count of theft of government property. Depending on how the sentence was served the maximum time he would spend in jail is probably only going to be about 10 years unless it is "without parole". If he actually had to serve the maximum time without parole or good behavior reductions he is looking at 30 years.

A far cry from treason most foul.

[SciFiFisher]

Uhhhh, what is this?

Edward Snowden's father proposes return conditions

An idiot who thinks that by demanding impossible conditions be met he can later claim that the US was rigid and dogmatic and refused a "reasonable solution" to getting Snowden back.

[Cyborg Girl]

So unveiling a load of corrupt nanny-state absurdity will get you called an idiot... Even with a Democrat in the Oval Office. Huh. I'll have to remember that.

(And yeah I know this isn't really nanny-state. Nanny-state would be helping people out. This is about hunting down evildoers, so it must be okay, right?)

[SciFiFisher]

So unveiling a load of corrupt nanny-state absurdity will get you called an idiot... Even with a Democrat in the Oval Office. Huh. I'll have to remember that.

(And yeah I know this isn't really nanny-state. Nanny-state would be helping people out. This is about hunting down evildoers, so it must be okay, right?)

The conditions listed for Snowden to agree to return are idiotic.

1. He gets to pick the venue where he is tried - No criminal gets that one. Judges decide venues. His attorney can make a motion just like any other plaintiff does who thinks he can't get a fair trial where he is being tried.
2. He is not to be jailed while waiting for trial - Really? He has already proven he is a flight risk. And now he wants to walk around without bail?
3. No gag order - Highly unlikely condition. Cases like these are so controversial that judges often impose gag orders on EVERYONE involved.
4. Ironclad guarantee that his rights will be honored - Already happening. We didn't use rendition. We haven't sent a drone. We are negotiating with every country this rat runs to and using the agreed upon international process to request that he be extradited to face the charges against him. His rights haven't been violated. He was formally charged in accordance with the laws of the U.S.

Essentially, he is making idiotic conditions with the intent to say "see I tried, but they are tyrants who are persecuting me".

If he really believed he was a whistleblower who did the right thing he would be eager to return and exonerate himself.

[Sigma_Orionis]

All I have to say is that if he wanted to play "whistleblower" he sure lacked foresight.

[Cyborg Girl]

If he really believed he was a whistleblower who did the right thing he would be eager to return and exonerate himself.

I think that is completely ridiculous.

a) He is undoubtedly scared shitless, as anyone of his age and (lack of) experience would be in this situation. Hell, make that anyone, period. You don't piss off a major government and get away with it.

b) You know damn well he has no chance of exonerating himself, and could be subject to indefinite imprisonment and torture without a trial. You're welcome to think that he ought to make himself a martyr; I think that's daft.