Obama promised to protect whistleblowers and what a surprise, the reality is Obama has shown you yet another lie. Snowden fears going back to the USA since he feels he won't get a fair trial and worse outcomes.

Snowden case: Has Obama broken pledge to protect whistleblowers? - World - CBC News

RE: Putin topic related to this.... I am not asserting Putin has to suddenly adhere to some sort of 'human rights' principle but to just follow the process of the asylum request. But, he made excuses so he doesn't have to challenge the USA. He took the easy road so to speak. I never stated that these Latin American countries are 'innocent' freedom-loving entities either. Their decisions to consider the request is probably (if not entirely) political but at least they didn't cave. Even with the threats of the USA, they tried to maintain some sense of sovereignty and they are not as influential as Russia supposedly is. If Putin thinks he 'won't play that game,' that doesn't change anything. It just re-affirms my assertion that he is spineless. He picks his spots when he 'disagrees' with the U.S..

National Whistleblowers Center - Obama's Hardest Promise: Protecting Workers Who Blow The Whistle

Edward Snowden live web chat: Whistleblower slams Obama on broken promises over civil liberties | Mail Online

Glenn Greenwald: Remember When Obama Vowed to Protect Whistleblowers? | Alternet

Obama’s War on Whistleblowers

Obama's New "Zero-Tolerance" of Whistleblowers Betrays Promised Protection

Obama and the USA cannot be trusted. The lies and total reversals after promises and assurances mean you cannot trust the U.S. Government. The deceptions, the violations of the Constitution and the infringements on Americans mean they cannot be trusted and is further proof the USA is going down the slippery slope (and things are getting worse). This is NOT about acknowledging they are using Facebook info of some stupid kids posting pics and telling how their day went. Anyone who wants to overlook it and shrug their shoulders about this is an idiot. The U.S. Government relishes the population who have their heads in the sand or ignore what's going on, though. They love you!