8 ms·

I don't think it makes sense. Like he said in his interview, he could have just sold the stuff he already leaked. Why then would he bother with the whole troubl

I don't think it makes sense. Like he said in his interview, he could have just sold the stuff he already leaked. Why then would he bother with the whole trouble of very publicly becoming America's Most Wanted? He sounded pretty sincere about doing this for the good of the American people. He claims he made a concerted effort to not reveal any information that could harm individuals, which appears to hold up. I would think (hope) he has some cards up his sleeve to protect himself, but at this point I think all the double-agent/working with China talk is wild conjecture.

macspoofing 13y ago
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing to go on. Edward's disclosure was responsible, and certainly served a public good, and so far he should be lauded for it. It was a brave act. I understand him fleeing and seeking asylum in another country given that there is little chance he would get a 'fair' trial here (as has been shown by the way Bradley Manning and Aaron Swartz have been treated)... but of all places ... China??!? He's not an idiot, so he must have thought this through but it makes no sense.
- slygent 13y ago
  HK != China. How many times should we do this?
  - macspoofing 13y ago
    China can veto any extradition. HK and US have a mutual extradition treaty for actions that are illegal in both countries. Presumably leaking state secrets is illegal in HK. Furthermore, HK is quite willing to extradite to US and does so on regular basis. So the question of why China (or HK if you prefer), remains.
    - dlitz 13y ago
      I think it's been answered here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5853901 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5853901 Hong Kong currently has a moratorium on extradition of asylum seekers.
- seclorum 13y ago
  It makes all the sense in the world. Who else would benefit from keeping America's crimes in the public light, by granting asylum to one of its citizens with the courage to reveal those crimes to the world?

macspoofing 13y ago

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing to go on. Edward's disclosure was responsible, and certainly served a public good, and so far he should be lauded for it. It was a brave act. I understand him fleeing and seeking asylum in another country given that there is little chance he would get a 'fair' trial here (as has been shown by the way Bradley Manning and Aaron Swartz have been treated)... but of all places ... China??!? He's not an idiot, so he must have thought this through but it makes no sense.

slygent 13y ago
HK != China. How many times should we do this?
- macspoofing 13y ago
  China can veto any extradition. HK and US have a mutual extradition treaty for actions that are illegal in both countries. Presumably leaking state secrets is illegal in HK. Furthermore, HK is quite willing to extradite to US and does so on regular basis. So the question of why China (or HK if you prefer), remains.
  - dlitz 13y ago
    I think it's been answered here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5853901 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5853901 Hong Kong currently has a moratorium on extradition of asylum seekers.
seclorum 13y ago
It makes all the sense in the world. Who else would benefit from keeping America's crimes in the public light, by granting asylum to one of its citizens with the courage to reveal those crimes to the world?