Posted on 04/11/2019 6:06:25 AM PDT by a little elbow grease
LONDON (AP) — Edward Snowden, the former security contractor who leaked classified information about U.S. surveillance programs, says the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a blow to media freedom.
"Images of Ecuador's ambassador inviting the UK's secret police into the embassy to drag a publisher of--like it or not--award-winning journalism out of the building are going to end up in the history books," Snowden said in a tweet. "Assange's critics may cheer, but this is a dark moment for press freedom." Snowden was charged by the United States in 2013 of violating the country’s espionage act. He was granted asylum by Russia that year and the asylum has been extended until at least 2020.
(Excerpt) Read more at cleveland.com ...
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.... I tend to agree.
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From FReeper, LS:
"Just guessing, but I’m thinking they want to bring Assange in, offer him a deal in exchange for everything Wiki knows on the Deep State Coup."
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Seems feasible.
There were news reports of his imminent arrest all week. Drudge had it up all week. How it surprised anyone, I don’t know.
How can he be a 'traitor'? From what I understand, he's an Australian citizen.
I don’t know about that... POTUS has tweeted the below in the past:
Snowden is a spy who has caused great damage to the U.S. A spy in the old days, when our country was respected and strong, would be executed.
Well, he is a criminal anyway. Just because he did once something that you liked doesn’t mean he is a good guy. He did it for different reasons. He is some sort of commie-anarchist, who wants the Western Civilization to burn down and that’s what he thought he’ll achieve when helping Trump.
Current indictment is for what he did in 2010, when he received classified information from Bradley Manning and urged Manning to break further into DoD systems and provided assistance for that. Then he released the information including the famous doctored helicopter video and that caused damage to the US reputation and put US friends in danger.
Snowden is a spy who has caused great damage to the U.S. A spy in the old days, when our country was respected and strong, would be executed.
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remember this is Assange
That whole bunch deserves the harshest punishment. Britain has said that they don’t extradite if Assange gets the death penalty and that is fine with me. Just give them the assurance that he’ll get life in prison.
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Possibly.
Also: --
About a half hour ago Rush Limbaugh was making a case that someone like SETH RICH may have used a thumb drive to copy the info/data and pass it along to someone (Assange).
If you ask me, something is about to blow up very soon. There is too much happening all of a sudden. There are too many Democrats acting like their world is coming to an end.
Indictments within days? These seem to be dangerous times for some in the SWAMP!
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I think you are being a little harsh on Snowden.
Did you happen to see the movie, "Snowden"? I recommend it.
During the Bush years, the New York Times published leaked classified information. Nothing happened to them.
“Assange is a mixed bag - if he released military info that put troops in harms way he’s a traitor too...”
He can’t be a traitor since he’s not a US citizen or even a resident. He had no loyalty to our country to betray.
Best you can argue is that he committed espionage or violated our national security laws.
Yes, Snowden wanted to go through the proper channels but saw that all the previous people who tried to do that or take advantage of the “whistleblower” protections were getting bent over by the powers that be. The system was broken.
or so he says....so working with Chinese & Russian intelligence was the solution! What a guy? Let’s indeed make him a hero!
He could have gone to the NYT as others did! Still bad but more honorable!
“so working with Chinese & Russian intelligence was the solution!”
Meh, he already released everything to the public before he got sanctuary in Russia. I’ve never seen anyone give any evidence that there was some quid pro quo with Russia either, it just seems to be the usual talking point of those who want to denounce Snowden.
As for going to the NYT, the crime would still be the same in the eyes of the government. They’ll prosecute whistleblowers whether they go to wikileaks or traditional media.
You are next, Eddy
How long did he stay in Russia?
Before that Hong Kong!
Who paid his bills?
The Russians & the Chinese aren’t like us! You pay your way!
He only had one thing to sell!
And yes violation of the Espionage Act is violation of the Espionage Act! NYT would be a more honorable violation.
So you support Hellary huh? She did nothing wrong then!
Eddy Snowjob is one of, if not, the biggest traitor in modern times and should be shot on sight - no trial, just put down. He released Methods and Means which exposed many people overseas and many where likely shot as a result. Not to mention that he took everything he had access to and gave it to to the Chinese, then to the Russians, and then perhaps it was disseminated to AQ and others.
The American public only heard about the stuff already in the public domain and had been for decades. The MSN made a big deal about it but that was not the story.
His damage is incalculable, long lasting and the US may pay an additional tremendous price down the road for what he stole.
I'm pretty cynical when it comes to conspiracy theories but I couldn't help think the same thing. Assange has been laying low in an embassy for seven years and is arrested not 24 hours after Barr's spying statement.
Very well said!
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