Thread: Edward Snowden and his stay in Russia

Originally Posted by Hanna

BTW, Putin's lack of enthusiasm about Snowden being in Russia seriously makes me wonder what the deal is.

Is he under pressure from his "American partners"?
Does he have his own spy program of internet usage and secretly fears a Russian Snowden?
Or is he annoyed that Snowden doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about being in Russia, instead preferring South America.

IMHO he ought to say that Snowden's done the world a favour and is obviously welcome to stay and get some protection. I guess it says something about Russia and Putin that doesn't make me feel very enthusiastic.

American spy asks for asylum in Russia
It's so much a cliché that no wonder nobody wants to be a part of it
Thingerpointing is on the way

Originally Posted by Doomer

American spy asks for asylum in Russia
It's so much a cliché that no wonder nobody wants to be a part of it
Thingerpointing is on the way

Well, fair enough, I guess. But a lot of people and a lot of countries would have admired Russia for taking a stand.
If I was Snowden I'd pick Russia any day over South America.
The situation in South America seems so unstable. I mean, they are liberals one day, socialists the next... Then a pro USA military regime. One day a democracy, the next day next.

Snowden might find that just as he settled into Ecuador, Venezuela or Bolivia there is a military coup... Or in light of these countries practically being the playground backyard of the USA, he might simply get kidnapped or executed, even without a coup. He's safer in Russia! Or possibly China.

At least in Russia, there is more stability in the politics. (As people like to point out here.... it looks like the current government is here to stay, for better or worse) hey would not let themselves be caught out by a coup or allow Snowden to be kidnapped or executed.

Originally Posted by Deborski

American propaganda is the best in the world, in my opinion. Because Americans, by and large, still believe their country is the "land of the free" and even as their freedoms are being taken away in the name of "security" and this contrived "war on terror" they support the government, practically in lockstep.

Precisely my opinion. Congrats to you on not having drunk the kool-aid (to use an American expression, lol. The meaning being: Deborski did not believe the propaganda/hype. Such a good expression. )



And I wasn't going to rant anymore about this, but I just read in the paper today that Swedish fingerprints (which you have to leave to get a passport!!!) and DNA registers will be shared with the USA "in the fight for terrorism".
Yeah right.

Plus, when I questioned the need to give my fingerprint they told me "We added this to the new Biometric passports at the request of the USA. But your fingerprint will never be shared with anyone; it's just for security to identify that you are the rightful owner of your passport". At least they don't have my DNA yet, since I didn't commit any crimes.

How would you guys like it, if your country demanded your fingerprint, before they give you a passport allowing you to travel abroad. Then they make your fingerprint available to another country! http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/usa...-fingeravtryck.

Ed Snowden is fighting this absolutely grotesque global Big Brother state. I am 100% behind him. As far as heroes of the internet are concerned, he is Number 1!

Originally Posted by Hanna

How would you guys like it, if your country demanded your fingerprint, before they give you a passport allowing you to travel abroad. Then they make your fingerprint available to another country!

You need to move to Russia, Hanna
Russia doesn't care about your fingerprints
Yet

Originally Posted by Doomer

You need to move to Russia, Hanna
Russia doesn't care about your fingerprints
Yet

Yeah, I think people are slightly freer in Russia, for the moment. Less invasion of privacy.
I've noticed here on MR and elsewhere that Russian people are just very cynical and sceptical, and probably wouldn't stand for too much invasion of privacy.

Plus, I think the society is a little more "old fashioned" in the bureacracy. It's easier to spy on people if you are using the very latest technology for everything and keep it in databases that can be cross-referenced between different authorities.

One thing I like about the UK though: You basically don't need an ID. I particularly like that for medical treatment.

But the creepiness is coming. For example when I wanted to buy a monthly train ticket I had to tell them my address. I asked them why and they couldn't respond. Just read in the paper that Oyster cards (smart travel cards in London) have been used 8000 times to catch criminal, because the police can pull out the record of where the person travelled.

Basically, privacy is dead and Snowden is the one who confirmed it.
You'd better have very mainstream opinions and behave within the norms of the "normal". Or you'll get picked up by data mining bots soon enough, and they can focus in on you.

And as for Russia: Well, the FSB was aware of the Tamerlan Tsarnaev's anti-West/pro-islam comments on social networking sites, right? So unless they stumbled across that by chance, they've got something going to keep an eye out for people.

Originally Posted by Hanna

...At least they don't have my DNA yet, since I didn't commit any crimes. ...

If any samples of blood for ANY reason have been drawn (hospital, dentist, clinics..etc) then guess again... The tentacles go way beyond what is generally known.

Originally Posted by Hanna

How would you guys like it, if your country demanded your fingerprint, before they give you a passport allowing you to travel abroad. Then they make your fingerprint available to another country! USA och Sverige byter fingeravtryck - DN.SE.

Ed Snowden is fighting this absolutely grotesque global Big Brother state. I am 100% behind him. As far as heroes of the internet are concerned, he is Number 1!

I think we are headed in that direction. DHS agents are already asking for blood at checkpoints on our highways so that they can record our DNA and save it in their extensive databases. For now, their requests are voluntary, but a few more years and who knows how voluntary it will be?