"Edward Snowden welcome in Venezuela? Not so much."

"CARACAS, Venezuela -- Does Edward Snowden know what he'd be getting into if he ends up gaining asylum here? Many Venezuelans doubt it."

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-76811105/

I understand why he did what he did. But I don't understand why he went public about it before he had somewhere safe to go.

He thought he was safe in Hong Kong, but Beijing thought differently.

Duh.

Edward Snowdens father says he still cant communicate directly with his son

http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/31/edward-snowdens-father-says-he-still-cant-communicate-directly-with-his-son/

Reuters India @ReutersIndia

Fugitive Edward Snowden has left Moscow airport and entered Russian soil - Airport representative tells Reuters

WSJ Breaking News @WSJbreakingnews

Snowden has received asylum for a year in Russia and has left Moscow airport, his lawyer said. http://wsj.com

WSJ Breaking News @WSJbreakingnews

Snowden has received asylum for a year in Russia and has left Moscow airport, his lawyer said. http://wsj.com

WSJ Breaking News @WSJbreakingnews

Snowden has received asylum for a year in Russia and has left Moscow airport, his lawyer said. http://wsj.com

Haha. Did anyone actually view this momentous occasion reported by lawyer? I have no doubt he is not at airport, but when did he leave and where is he now.

[Lawyer] added: 'I have just seen him off. He has left for a secure location. Security is a very serious matter for him.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2382495/Snowden-finally-leaves-Moscow-airport-Russia-grants-asylum-country-year.html#ixzz2aifhspGV

Security is a very serious matter for who and why no direct communication with even his father?

Edited August 1, 201312 yr by F430murci

Ah. The story of the father and the missing son.

"Have we forgot what happened on September 11?

Mike Rogers

House intelligence committee

Ah. The story of the father and the missing son.

"Have we forgot what happened on September 11?

Mike Rogers

House intelligence committee

there are only heroic individuals. There are never any heroic governments.

Ah. The story of the father and the missing son.

"Have we forgot what happened on September 11?

Mike Rogers

House intelligence committee

there are only heroic individuals. There are never any heroic governments.

Fair point.

Got a better solution?

A post violating fair use has been deleted.

Like to say respect for Putin has just gone up from zero, but in reality he's not doing it for the man. And if the boot were on the other foot, would the Americans send one of back over to Russia?

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

Edited August 2, 201312 yr by Jingthing

A lot could happen between now and the Olympics,so let's keep speculation focused on the issue of this thread.

The issue of gay rights is related to this whole situation, but I am afraid it's a little too far off-topic to discuss in this thread.

Putin is a petty minded man and his pal, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is another who's only concerned about himself. Edward Snowden has done everything wrong so now finds himself trapped in Moscow with both. The U.S Government has forced the three together to reveal their alliance and interdependency.

It's just ironic that the U.S. Government has trapped Snowden in Moscow where Snowden effectively has begun to serve out his punishment.

Why Did Putin Grant Edward Snowden Asylum? Revenge.

http://thediplomat.com/the-editor/2013/08/06/why-did-putin-grant-edward-snowden-asylum-revenge/

It is highly likely that a primary reason Putin offered Snowden asylum was to take revenge against the U.S. for its constant concern about human rights violations in Russia. One of the most recent examples of this was the sanctions the Congress enacted against certain members of the Russian government over the case of Russian lawyer and whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. Magnitsky, of course, was a whistleblower and outspoken critic of the Putin regime, who was detained in Russia over alleged tax evasion.

*Edited for Fair Use*

Edited August 7, 201312 yr by Scott
Edited for fair use

Obama has snubbed Putin (cancelling a summit) obviously directly linked to the Snowden affair.

Here is a humorous take on the news:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-7-2013/leader-s-digest---russia

Edited August 8, 201312 yr by Jingthing

I'm seriously concerned about Putin tbh.

Wouldn't want to meet Mrs Putin on a dark night either.

Good example for the kids President Obama

If we don't get our way we just say I am not talking to you & I am not going to be your friend anymore

sheesh

Good example for the kids President Obama

If we don't get our way we just say I am not talking to you & I am not going to be your friend anymore

sheesh

What a silly thing to say.

Good example for the kids President Obama

If we don't get our way we just say I am not talking to you & I am not going to be your friend anymore

sheesh

What a silly thing to say.

Exactly....That is my point

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

No the Russians would not need to arrest members of an Olympic team that wore Pussy Riot tshirts etc.

The Olympic committee would kick them out and the athletes would suffer severe sanctions because any form or political protest etc is banned by the Olympic committee.

So Putin (the Leader) need not worry or get involved.

Putin has done nothing to the US, it is the US that has inflamed the situation. Do you think Snowden is a Russian spy? If Snowden hadn't been forced to flee the 'free' US of A then he wouldn't have ended up in Russia.

None of this is of Putin's doing.

Good example for the kids President Obama

If we don't get our way we just say I am not talking to you & I am not going to be your friend anymore

sheesh

What a silly thing to say.

Exactly....That is my point

You miss the point.

Obama and Putin were never friends.

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

No the Russians would not need to arrest members of an Olympic team that wore Pussy Riot tshirts etc.

The Olympic committee would kick them out and the athletes would suffer severe sanctions because any form or political protest etc is banned by the Olympic committee.

So Putin (the Leader) need not worry or get involved.

Putin has done nothing to the US, it is the US that has inflamed the situation. Do you think Snowden is a Russian spy? If Snowden hadn't been forced to flee the 'free' US of A then he wouldn't have ended up in Russia.

None of this is of Putin's doing.

As this saga draws on we forget the historical facts.

Snowden went to Hong Kong thinking he was safe. Beijing kicked him out.

Anything Snowden reveals to Putin which is detrimental to the US is treason.

Correct. Not a Russian spy. A traitor to the US.

You miss the point.

Obama and Putin were never friends.

Oh I don't miss much

This is childish plain & simple a tantrum

That is all this is a tantrum & unbefitting America. Sadly once elected we do not seem to have much input of how we are represented or perceived by the free world.

Snowden may be wanted by the US but he applied for & was granted asylum by Russia for reasons period.

It is not befitting the USA to throw this tantrum & act like there is nothing left in the world to discuss between two major super powers.

Rather embarrassing for America/Americans IMO actually & sorry our elected representative cannot be more adult about it.

up to you buddy.

Good evening.

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

No the Russians would not need to arrest members of an Olympic team that wore Pussy Riot tshirts etc.

The Olympic committee would kick them out and the athletes would suffer severe sanctions because any form or political protest etc is banned by the Olympic committee.

So Putin (the Leader) need not worry or get involved.

Putin has done nothing to the US, it is the US that has inflamed the situation. Do you think Snowden is a Russian spy? If Snowden hadn't been forced to flee the 'free' US of A then he wouldn't have ended up in Russia.

None of this is of Putin's doing.

Actually, everything that has happened to Snowden since being allowed to board that plane in Hong Kong destined for Moscow has been Putin's doing.

Everything up until that time was Snowden and US doing. US needs to go after its own people and revamp systems that allowed Snowden to happen.

Oops, even more security and surveillance will happen now thanks to Snowden. Funny how such actions when done the wrong way lead to an unintended result of making the situation to be addressed much worse than it was before.

Edited August 8, 201312 yr by F430murci

Again, this thread is about his asylum claim. There is another thread that has more general discussion of the NSA and Snowden.

Posts have been deleted and will be deleted without further notice.

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

No the Russians would not need to arrest members of an Olympic team that wore Pussy Riot tshirts etc.

The Olympic committee would kick them out and the athletes would suffer severe sanctions because any form or political protest etc is banned by the Olympic committee.

So Putin (the Leader) need not worry or get involved.

Putin has done nothing to the US, it is the US that has inflamed the situation. Do you think Snowden is a Russian spy? If Snowden hadn't been forced to flee the 'free' US of A then he wouldn't have ended up in Russia.

None of this is of Putin's doing.

Actually, everything that has happened to Snowden since being allowed to board that plane in Hong Kong destined for Moscow has been Putin's doing.

Everything up until that time was Snowden and US doing. US needs to go after its own people and revamp systems that allowed Snowden to happen.

Oops, even more security and surveillance will happen now thanks to Snowden. Funny how such actions when done the wrong way lead to an unintended result of making the situation to be addressed much worse than it was before.

Care to provide any evidence that this is all Putin's doing?

I'm curious about this.

If U.S. agents in Russia were able to seize Snowden and escort him to the U.S. embassy, would that be seen as an act of war?

Putin (the dictator) has already poisoned Russia-USA relations. Shouldn't there be a tit for tat?

If not that, I'd like to see all the U.S. athletes at the Sochi Olympics wear Pussy Riot logos on rainbow flag motif uniforms ...

Would the Russians dare arrest all the members of the USA Olympics team?

Yes, conflict has been inflamed.

Maybe not the cold war, but at least the Pussy Riot war.

Any sympathy Snowden may have among some Americans will be overcome by reaction against Putin's massive insult to America.

Even liberal MSNBC describes Putin's rude move as a massive MIDDLE FINGER to the USA. Will Obama take this sitting down? I doubt it and I doubt most Americans want him to.

No the Russians would not need to arrest members of an Olympic team that wore Pussy Riot tshirts etc.

The Olympic committee would kick them out and the athletes would suffer severe sanctions because any form or political protest etc is banned by the Olympic committee.

So Putin (the Leader) need not worry or get involved.

Putin has done nothing to the US, it is the US that has inflamed the situation. Do you think Snowden is a Russian spy? If Snowden hadn't been forced to flee the 'free' US of A then he wouldn't have ended up in Russia.

None of this is of Putin's doing.

Actually, everything that has happened to Snowden since being allowed to board that plane in Hong Kong destined for Moscow has been Putin's doing.

Everything up until that time was Snowden and US doing. US needs to go after its own people and revamp systems that allowed Snowden to happen.

Oops, even more security and surveillance will happen now thanks to Snowden. Funny how such actions when done the wrong way lead to an unintended result of making the situation to be addressed much worse than it was before.

Care to provide any evidence that this is all Putin's doing?

Read everything I have written with cites. Ask an Russian living in Russia right now. They pretty much snicker at comments such as yours.

Putin controls everything. Russians laugh at how Bama gets smacked around in media because Russian TV and media says nothing but how great Putin is, Putin did this, Putin did that.

If you defy and speak out against Putin publicly, very good chance you will be arrested, regardless who you are.

In car last night, my wife had conference with one of her large BofA clients in Moscow regarding macro or political implications of last 48 events for her BofA clients with huge global investments at stake.

My Russian is poor, but they did laugh at US media reports and say US seemingly has no clue.

If you understood Putin, you would not have to ask so a question.