"Puttin’ the Pressure on Putin" by Ray McGovern

[Catherina]

It's a brilliant article. I recommend people read the whole thing. Ray McGovern rightfully points out how our death penalty earns us "the dubious distinction of joining a list with China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia as the leaders in executing people"

Puttin’ the Pressure on Putin
July 28, 2013

Exclusive: The Obama administration continues to compound the diplomatic mess around former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. The latest blunder was announcing that the U.S. wouldn’t torture or execute Snowden, a reminder to the world how far Official Washington has strayed from civilized behavior, notes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern.

By Ray McGovern

...

It is no secret that Putin is chuckling as Attorney General Eric Holder and other empty-shirts-cum-corporate-law-office-silk-ties – assisted ably by White House spokesperson Jay Carney – proceed willy-nilly to transform the Snowden case from a red-faced diplomatic embarrassment for the United States into a huge geopolitical black eye before the rest of the world.

...

Holder’s strange promise may have been designed to undercut Snowden’s bid for asylum, but it also reminded the world of America’s abysmal behavior on human rights. And, even if the United States promises not to torture someone, government lawyers have shown how they can play games with the definition of the term or just outright lie. Holder’s reputation for veracity is just a thin notch above that of National Intelligence Director James Clapper, who admits he has chosen to testify under oath to the “least untruthful” things.

...

Holder’s high-profile push to get the Russians to hand over Snowden damages the United States in other ways, too, such as reminding the world how the U.S. government has violated the privacy rights of people everywhere, including in allied countries. There is a reasonable argument to be made that the smartest U.S. move would be to simply leave Snowden alone.

...

Vladimir Volokh, head of the Russian Migration Service, seemed to welcome a chance to retaliate in kind. Rubbing in the awkwardness of Snowden’s present status because of actions by Washington, Volokh told the Interfax news agency Friday: “We know that he is Edward Snowden only from his words. The passport he has has been canceled. … He is under protection in the transit area for his safety. He is an individual being pursued and his life is in danger.”

The Russians, and pretty much everyone else, are smart enough to realize that, given Washington’s transparent motives, there is nothing to be gained by serving Snowden up to American “justice,” such as it has become. Russia is no banana republic, so it beggars belief that President Putin will follow the supine example of Panama. Nor is the fawning example of Italy, France, Spain and Portugal something Putin would wish to emulate.

...

http://consortiumnews.com/2013/07/28/puttin-the-pressure-on-putin/

[ProSense]

1. "Russia is no banana republic"

What will Russia, Snowden's paradise, do?

When It Comes To Extraditions, Russia Often Cooperates
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023356456

[xocet]

2. How will the Minister of Truth further elaborate on that which is the paradise of Snowden? n/t

obl. bl. lnk.

[ProSense]

3. How will Russia's new cheerleaders react if Putin fails them? n/t

[sabrina 1]

4. Care to point out 'Russia's Cheerleaders' so we may know them by their own words?

[ProSense]

5. You should be able to spot them on your own.

Start with Snowden: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023321370