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MR. CARNEY: Let me say this about that question, which is that Mr. Snowden’s claim that he is focused on supporting transparency, freedom of the press, and pro
by uvdiv 13y ago
MR. CARNEY: Let me say this about that question, which is that Mr. Snowden’s claim that he is focused on supporting transparency, freedom of the press, and protection of individual rights and democracy is belied by the protectors he has potentially chosen -- China, Russia, Ecuador, as we’ve seen.
His failure to criticize these regimes suggest that his true motive throughout has been to injure the national security of the United States -- not to advance Internet freedom and free speech.
I think that with regards to the first part of your question, I’ve made the point that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information -- the kind of information that has already been disclosed -- has an enormous negative impact and there are ongoing damage assessments being done. But, certainly, it would be our assumption that any information -- any further classified information that he has that has not yet been divulged publicly would be compromised, or has been compromised.
- LoganCale 13y agoWhat idiotic logic. Because he is hiding in countries with imperfect track records on the issues he is bringing up about the U.S., and has not openly criticized the regimes of those countries, that somehow, by their logic, renders moot any claims he has about opposing similar things in the U.S.
- anigbrowl 13y agoIt's not idiotic at all. There are many countries which don't have this sort of issue, eg Iceland (where many were expecting him to go a week ago). Julian Assange seemed quite happy with Sweden until he found himself at odds with the laws on sexual conduct there (and recall that it is to Sweden, rather than the US, that Britain wants to extradite him). Russia doesn't have an 'imperfect track record' in this area. It has a pretty poor one, and I'm guessing you're not going to see a wave of libertarian idealists heading there any time soon for just this reason. It's not unreasonable to question Snowden's motives based on the company he keeps.
- rhizome 13y agoIs he really "keeping their company?" Seems more that he's using the US foreign policy apparatus for protection.
- LoganCale 13y agoIt's tremendously idiotic. It makes sense for him to go to countries likely to push back on the U.S. extradition request. He went to Hong Kong for reasons which made sense, then left while they temporarily resisted extraditing. He went to Russia with plans to meet with ambassadors from at least one other country, and that plan was arranged by Wikileaks. Now it's not publicly known where he is, and it may not be in Russia anymore. I'm not supporting these countries at all as having great governments, but to say that he is a supporter of them because he isn't openly criticizing them while they're helping him is just stupid.
- anigbrowl 13y agoYou've missed the point that there are other countries likely to push back on the US extradition request that don't have bad human rights records or an antagonistic stance towards the US. Like Iceland and Sweden, as I explained above.
- LoganCale 13y agoI didn't miss that point, it was just irrelevant to my point, which was that it's absurd to say his point is moot simply because he doesn't criticize the countries he's in as being as bad as he alleges the U.S. is.