Should edward snowden be allowed to travel to the uk ???

[boofta]

Mainland China already has perfect democracy and full freedom
of speech. China allows anyone to say whatever they want about
any country, release all secrets of governments and now will
defend these rights for Mr Snowden in Hong Kong.
Just don't say anything against the Chinese govt. and you
won't get executed !

[Trafalgar]

Quote of the year from Julian Assange:

...It is getting to the point where the mark of international distinction and service to humanity is no longer the Nobel Peace Prize, but an espionage indictment from the US Department of Justice....

[Basil]

BBC News - Edward Snowden leaves Hong Kong 'on Moscow flight '

The South China Morning Post quoted "credible sources" as saying he was due to arrive in Moscow on Sunday evening.

Now Putin has an asset to trade with the US at some future date. I wonder what they can get for him?

[Ocean Person]

Good Outcome:

If Edward Snowden elects to stay in Russia he could have an OK life. When Kim Philby living in Moscow was asked by an interviewing media correspondent if there was anything he missed about life in the West he (Phiby) said "Yes only one thing Lea and Perrins sauce". The reporter replied "When I get back to London I'll send you a bottle". Philby then said: " just address it Kim Philby Moscow and I'll get it."

O.P.

[parabellum]

If Edward Snowden elects to stay in Russia he could have an OK life.

Which he, a traitor, doesn't deserve.

At least, by being in Russia, Snowden's output will be monitored to ensure it doesn't reflect badly on Russia either directly or by being turned around against them, which, from now on, means he is more or less mute.

[freightdog188]

Obama, the NSA and the magic of "cannot la"

HKSAR Government issues statement on Edward Snowden
***************************************************


The HKSAR Government today (June 23) issued the following statement on Mr Edward Snowden:

Mr Edward Snowden left Hong Kong today (June 23) on his own accord for a third country through a lawful and normal channel.

The US Government earlier on made a request to the HKSAR Government for the issue of a provisional warrant of arrest against Mr Snowden. Since the documents provided by the US Government did not fully comply with the legal requirements under Hong Kong law, the HKSAR Government has requested the US Government to provide additional information so that the Department of Justice could consider whether the US Government's request can meet the relevant legal conditions. As the HKSAR Government has yet to have sufficient information to process the request for provisional warrant of arrest, there is no legal basis to restrict Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Government has already informed the US Government of Mr Snowden's departure.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has formally written to the US Government requesting clarification on earlier reports about the hacking of computer systems in Hong Kong by US government agencies. The HKSAR Government will continue to follow up on the matter so as to protect the legal rights of the people of Hong Kong.


Ends/Sunday, June 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:05

[Ejector]

Is that last post, the raising of the middle finger or what by he HK Gov !

I am a little surprised actually. As if they did not already know.

Anyway, is a big moon tonight.

[Yonosoy Marinero]

Moscow is just a stopover. He's being picked up there by one Julian Assange's gang. Off to Iceland on a private jet. I hope he likes ice and Volcanoes. He's bound to stay there for a while.

Still. Good for him. Takes balls to stand up against the inquisition.

[Yonosoy Marinero]

Oops. Little change of plans. He's off to Caracas via Cuba now.

Much nicer choice of destination.
The Bolivarians will love him. The enemies of our enemies and all that.

[Ejector]

How does he travel when his passport has been revoked, the USA claims ?

How does he get there from Moscow without going through USA airspace where he can be ordered to land?

Why didn't they charter a biz jet from HK to his final destination?

Food for thought !

[neville_nobody]

Snowden is a man who will have had a security clearance to handle highly sensitive information and will have signed agreements with the CIA and his employer not to disclose that information, in return he was highly paid. Snowden chose to breach both agreements and go public, he knows what he is doing, his offences are criminal. The nature of the information he is disclosing is irrelevant. Can't do the time? Don't do the crime.

What if what he was doing was unconstitutional?

What does he do then? Who is the higher authority? The NSA or the Constitution of the USA?

NSA tried to shut this guy down too but are unable to.

[bigjames]

SCMP Photo

Is the photo on the front page of today's SCMP a stock photo or were some people in the know early on so as to be there to snap it leaving. at least the type (A330) is correct. but i thought the announcement was made around 3pm...

[Ocean Person]

parabellum;

By what right do you have to call Snowden a traitor.? Traitors' normally don't have a conscience but it would appear that Edward Snowden has a very big conscience indeed.
I've read your post number 20 and the whole thing is sheer supposition.

O.P.

[parabellum]

You haven't been following the whole story have you Ocean Person?

Snowden has admitted everything he is accused of and revealing state secrets, having signed and agreed not to, is treachery, no supposition involved.

Traitors' normally don't have a conscience but it would appear that Edward
Snowden has a very big conscience indeed.

Now that is pure supposition!

[Yonosoy Marinero]

Snowden has admitted everything he is accused of and revealing state secrets, having signed and agreed not to, is treachery, no supposition involved.

Yup, no doubt. Just like Olbricht was definitely guilty of attempting to assassinate Hitler. The bastard...

Why do people feel the urge to defend their government without ever questioning their actions?
The day the people stop taking a critical stance on their leaders is the day these leaders start stepping on their liberties.
Why Americans tolerate their private lives being openly scrutinized by the NSA, under dubious excuses, is beyond me.

But try and take away their guns, and they'll be shoving their holy 'freedom' down your throat... Fascinating people.

[neville_nobody]

Snowden has admitted everything he is accused of and revealing state secrets, having signed and agreed not to, is treachery, no supposition involved.

And in that has admitted to breaching the 4th Admendment!

[asianeagle]

I must e lost, came here looking for some rumours about aviation stuff, instead found spy vs spy.

[Shutterbug]

@Bigjames

Some spotters mulling about the airport that morning. Fortunately for them, the SCMP managed to screw them over royally as a heartfelt thanks for their small efforts supplying the SCMP with the photo. It seems screwing people over is Hong Kong's latest and best trick. Must be some fancy managerial savvy they're all acquiring at those big name US MBA schools.

@parabellum

In fact sir... it seems to be YOU who is not quite paying attention to the miscellaneous goings ons.

The nature of the information he is disclosing is irrelevant. Can't do the time? Don't do the crime.

Mr. Snowden has not once, but repeatedly stated he makes no illusions about the intentions and capabilities of the US government to shut him up one way or the other, and that it was his only intention to buy enough time so that the information he intended to disclose could be released in a proper manner. He has REPEATEDLY stated this. He seems therefore but all TOO aware of the consequences of his actions. By your own indifferent qualifier then, you seem to agree he _can_ do the crime since he is prepared to "do the time."

And although I grasp your callous point all too well, the fine art of nuance seems to completely lost on your military mind. The nature of his disclosure is in fact VITAL to the continued survival of our societies as we have been able to enjoy them for the last few hundred years. Secret courts? Secret edicts? Secret judgments? Have your cockpit checked for cracks in the windows next time. It seems the rot spilling out of China is getting to you.

Trawling the entire internet for personal information on the entire population beyond the scope and sanction of governmental authority just because they can? FOR SHAME. It's a bloody outrage. The secret court charged with overseeing this whole shambles stated no less in a secret opinion. How do we even know this? No thanks to you, that's or sure.

We've known for years these sorts of shenanigans were going on... now we've been handed tangible proof and more. The Nixon White House was sent packing in two short years after the Watergate scandal exploded in its face. To wit... a handful of ex-CIA contractors sifting through desk drawers in the middle of the night. Now the nation's intelligence services have been found with their tentacles in all the world's cookie jars at once.... who exactly should be doing time for what crime again?

Thank you Ed for your sacrifice. And good luck to you.

[Ocean Person]

Shutterbug:

Well said; our colleague parabellum should really take look at the big picture.
I like your reference to "military mind" as an appendage to a nom de plume sometimes says a lot.

O.P.

[Pucka]

The best of luck Edwardo and enjoy that retirement in Ecuador!!