Deadline Looms for Snowden (the noose tightens)

[arely staircase]

what if Snowden decides that he wants to stay in Russia?

It is unlikely Snowden will be welcomed. Alexei Pushkov, a lawmaker believed to have Putin’s ear, posted several comments on Twitter along the lines of the old saying “Hate to see you go but here’s your hat and coat.” One tweet implied that Venezuela would be a good choice for Snowden because that country’s relations with Washington were already so bad that his presence there could not make things any worse.

...

‘‘Right now, for example, there’s an intensified relationship between U.S. and Russian security services focused on Dagestan and counter-terrorism, leading up to the Sochi Olympics, “ explained Lukyanov. ‘’The Kremlin and the Russian security community wouldn’t want to derail everything because of this Snowden guy.’’...

And he will need an itinerary that avoids U.S. or European airspace, otherwise he may find himself grounded. That's what happened to Bolivian President Evo Morales when he was forced to land in Vienna, Austria last week and his plane was searched for Snowden....Snowden has lived like an invisible man for more than two weeks. But he may be about to make his presence truly felt for Putin – the world leader who most wants to see the back of him.

[hrmjustin]

1. If Russia really wants to get rid of him can't they just put him on a boat?

I understand he has yet to be processed in Russia but can't they just take the bull by the horns and put him on a boat and say have a nice trip.

[arely staircase]

2. I think Putin wants to maintain the veneer of having stuck it to the Americans

or at least not having given in to US pressure. However, Putin has bigger fish to fry (like security cooperation for the Olympics, Chechens, etc.) And thus, wants this guy out of his hair. Now should Snowden not take the Venezuelans up on their offer, Putin may reach the point he's willing to put him on a boat.

[hrmjustin]

4. It will be very hard to get a pilot to fly a flight plane that avoids US allies.

A pilot is not going to want to spend to much time over the ocean that they will have to to avoid the US or her allies.

[MineralMan]

3. Russia could put him on a plane heading for the US.

Countries do that from time to time. It's called "repatriation." If Snowden doesn't make a decision soon and carry it out, that's a real possibility.

[morningfog]

11. Russia indicated they are willing to give him stateless status and let him travel on his way.

[MineralMan]

15. Yes, that's a possibility, too.

I think Snowden will finally have to make up his mind.

[cali]

5. I must say

I found your choice of the use of the phrase the noose tightens, pretty interesting. And the admission that what happened last week with Morales' plane was an effort orchestrated by the U.S. to get its hands on Snowden, even more interesting.

[arely staircase]

7. time is running out for the nerd on the run

it would seem

[former9thward]

20. "the noose tightens"

You would really love to see him lynched. Of course the British did that to Nathan Hale, another 'traitor'. Too bad you weren't around to cheer that on.

[arely staircase]

21. yes, his options and time to chose between them are rapidly diminishing

it think there is a better than average chance he will be exercising his rights under the 6th Amendment soon.

[cali]

30. so would you support actions like those used to search Morales' plane?

would you support forcing down a commercial airline to get him? How about rendition? Just where do you draw the line? Or do yu have a high tolerance for breaking the law as long as the administration is the doing it? Curious minds and all.

[arely staircase]

34. i have a low tolerance for lawbreakers like Mr. Snowden

I draw the line at giving intel to the chinese. Your questions are red herrings. There will be no forcing down of a commercial jet. There may very well be an unscheduled stop in Atlanta or Miami for mechanical reasons - agreed upon in secret by the US and Russian governments ahead of time. Rendition is not even a remote possibility in this case (but I would be against it, just as I would be against a firing squad, which is just as likely.)

[CakeGrrl]

31. It's called "a figure of speech"

as you probably well know.

Cheer him on to South America. Deliberately stealing then sharing U.S. information with China and Russia was a stupid move and had nothing to do with claiming to be the harbinger of increasing surveillance against U.S. citizens.

Fugitive status in a country with a far-left government is a fitting punishment for a documented Social Security-hating data thief.

[former9thward]

35. They smeared and slandered Daniel Ellsberg also.

He had to go into hiding. But now he is a hero. So the same will be with Snowden despite your hatred.

[morningfog]

8. I just have to wonder how long until more charges are filed and he is labeled

a terrorist or an enemy combatant.

[arely staircase]

12. I think there will definitely be more charges.

I don't think they have even charged him with the Chinese thing - potentially the most serious crime he has committed. I doubt there are any applicable terrorism statutes. But if there are, he will surely be charged with them.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. The "noose?"

[arely staircase]

9. a metaphore for running out of options

there is no literal noose.

[NoOneMan]

17. Seems like the noose is also tightening around the necks of American citizens (and others)

They are running out of options while being distracted by bullshit

[Le Taz Hot]

27. Yes, I'm familiar with the term.

Your choice of it's use was what I was commenting on.

[CakeGrrl]

32. With so many Snowden supporters convinced that

The US (Obama) will kill him, it's funny that people are taking offense to this term. I guess if it had come from a supporter/well-wisher, the reaction might have been different. Just a wild guess.

[Le Taz Hot]

33. Where did you get that I took offense?

I thought the use of the term was interesting. As is the use of projection in this exchange.

[Octafish]

18. It's a symbol, like.

NPR reporter mockingly said Snowden thought CIA might send the MAFIA after him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022982793

[arely staircase]

19. Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

Lot's of people get killed every day there and it has nothing to do with the mafia. That is something else that must be weighing heavily on Mr. Snowden's mind as he tries to decide what to do with the Venezuelan offer - that and an unscheduled stop in Miami for whatever reason.

[Octafish]

22. I've never been there.

I do know a lot, and I mean lot, of Venezuelans, however.

They are great people.

Do you know people from Venezuela, arely staircase?

[arely staircase]

23. Yes. I had several friends from there when I lived in Mexico.

nt

[Octafish]

24. Chévere.

¿Quién sabía?

[morningfog]

10. He'll head out soon. Ireland says they won't arrest him, Cuba has signaled they support Venezuela

and Nicaragua. As far as I know, the only deadline is the one given from Venezuela. He has options and will likely use them soon. It's in everyone's interest for Snowden to get to a country that will respect his asylum claim as soon as possible.

[arely staircase]

13. There is that tricky business about US airspace nt

[morningfog]

14. He won't necessarily have to enter it, and evenso,

Obama said he wasn't going to scramble jets, so it should get safe passage. I'd go on a public commercial flight, if I were Snowden.

[arely staircase]

16. Unscheduled stop in Atlanta or Miami do to mechanical problems

of course in no way shape or form agreed upon between the US and Russia ahead of time.



That should be a big concern for Snowden - backroom deal.

[flamingdem]

25. Snowden took the offer to leave Moscow pretty seriously

He'll be happy down there in Nicaragua, I hope he likes 95 degree weather!

It's cheap to live there, that's a plus.

[arely staircase]

26. I have always wanted to go to Nicaragua. Been to Honduras

and Belize but that's it for C.A. I would think the danger for Snowden in either Venezuela or Nicaragua is that you are potentially only one election away from deportation.

[flamingdem]

28. I didn't think of that. Don't know much about the opposition in Nicaragua

The USA is not far away. Maybe just hours by road to a US base in Honduras.
He may still feel pretty paranoid there.

PS you wrote zimmerman, understandable that

[arely staircase]

29. lol on the zimmerman

i get the two villians confused.