Laptops Snowden took to Hong Kong, Russia were a 'diversion'

[JonLP24]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The four laptop computers that former U.S. spy contractor Edward Snowden carried with him to Hong Kong and Moscow were a "diversion" and contained no secrets, according to an ex-CIA official who met with Snowden in Russia this week.

The classified documents that Snowden had downloaded from the U.S. National Security Agency were stored on smaller devices, such as hard drives and thumb drives, and they have not been turned over to the Russian or Chinese authorities, said Ray McGovern, a former Central Intelligence Agency analyst.

On Wednesday, Snowden held a six-hour meeting in Moscow with McGovern and three other former U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials who have all become critics of government surveillance programs.

Snowden, 30, is living in a secret location in Russia, beyond the reach of U.S. authorities who want him on espionage charges because he leaked the details of top-secret electronic spying programs to the media.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/11/us-usa-security-snowden-idUSBRE99A0LK20131011

[karynnj]

1. If true, why is McGovern saying how he carried the material - given he is still in Russia

The story of taking 4 laptops never made much sense - and I would imagine the Russians and Chinese were smart enough to ask for other devices. There were MANY posts here that he could have info on thumb drives - do you think that we are that much smarter than the KGB?

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Yep, mailing a thumb drive...

to a co-hort (or multiple) would make much more sense then lugging around laptops.

[AverageJoe90]

5. I don't think so either. In fact, I think McGovern's either full of shit or has been misled......

We KNOW for a FACT that Snowden stole secrets and gave info to these two countries. That in itself is espionage, and treason to the United States. But some people around these parts STILL don't get the memo.

[PSPS]

6. LOL. Another #13. Sorry, but we don't "KNOW for a FACT" any such thing.

Worshiper/Apologist Hit Parade:

1. This is nothing new
2. I have nothing to hide
3. What are you, a freeper?
4. But Obama is better than Christie/Romney/Bush/Hitler
5. Greenwald/Flaherty/Gillum/Apuzzo/Braun is a hack
6. We have red light cameras, so this is no big deal
7. Corporations have my data anyway
8. At least Obama is trying
9. This is just the media trying to take Obama down
10. It's a misunderstanding/you are confused
11. You're a racist
12. Nobody cares about this anyway / "unfounded fears"
13. I don't like Snowden, therefore we must disregard all of this
14. Other countries do it

[AverageJoe90]

7. Not even close.

Again, if Snowden was so concerned about us, why make the trip to Moscow? Why give information to our enemies? We know he did; no ad-hominems can change that.

[reddread]

8. maybe the Republican congressman who "considered" adding him to the kill list?

could that be why?

[AverageJoe90]

10. Well, Teathugs do sometimes eat their own.....Snowden may not be an exception. nt

[reddread]

11. so do Americans

sometimes because they sport a different color or religion.
sometimes just because someone slapped a label on them.
works like a charm.

[muriel_volestrangler]

15. Because Moscow had a flight going to Cuba

and he thought he had documents that would get him there.

Going back to your shouty "We KNOW for a FACT that Snowden stole secrets and gave info to these two countries" - link, please.

[reddread]

9. where is the full list?

obviously
"because I know better than some idiot CIA (and several other categories that come up) whistleblower"
belongs on there.

[longship]

2. Interesting. My opinion of Snowden increases. nt

[rhett o rick]

3. Now who saw that coming.

[arely staircase]

12. I still wonder if Snowden isnt working for the CIA right now nt

[Turborama]

13. Russia let in 4 "former U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials" to come & talk to Snowden?

Including at least 1 ex-CIA agent? Even though they are cracking down on foreign and local NGOs?

Hmmmm....

[1000words]

14. But Snowden gave secrets to the Chinese and Russians

I read it here on DU. To think otherwise means you love Putin.