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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSnowden welcomed in Russia, great job offer too
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/world/europe/edward-snowden-russia.htmlMembers of parliament and human rights activists welcome Snowden's arrival as a legal Russian resident with his shiny new asylum passport.
In addition, billionaire Pavel Durov the founder of Vkontakte, the mega Russian social networking site has offered Snowden a position in the company to protect the privacy concerns of the millions of members.
Oh yeah, I don't want to look for old DU threads about how miserable Snowden's life would be in Russia...
At the time I offered the opinion that he'd do very well there and I was ridiculed. So let me gleefully say:
Hahahahaha!!!
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ProudToBeBlueInRhody
(16,399 posts)Chan790
(20,176 posts)
I want to draw particular attention to that first picture though, not only because it's the one least recognizable to those outside Russia. That's Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, best known for her work documenting Russian war crimes in Georgia and Chechnya but also for her relentless pursuit of the corruption and criminality of the Putin regime; its ties to organized crime; and its use of Russian law enforcement and intelligence services as a "secret police" for the benefit of the ruling oligarchs and regime to crush opposition. She was fearless, smart and aggressive.
She was the closest thing Russia had to a Glenn Greenwald (if Greenwald had to work while living under the cloud of constant vigilance against attempts on his life by his own government, travel with armed bodyguards, never disclose his current location and not dare show his face in public) until she was assassinated in an elevator by former law-enforcement personnel loyal to Putin, under suspicion of government involvement...a suspicion which unfortunately still remains unprovable due to a show-trial and politically-driven plea deal given to gunman Dmitry Pavliutchenkov with the interference of Russian organized crime and the Putin regime all over it. She is just one of the 56 journalists assassinated in Russia since 1992, most for reporting on actions of the government that they would like to conceal.
These are the acts of the nation Edward Snowden ran to for protection. This is what they do.
tridim
(45,358 posts)
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)
HipChick
(25,612 posts)and I hope he doesn't turn out to be gay...
Cha
(318,866 posts)john miller @deaconmill
If Snowden had been Russian and done the same thing to them, he would be dead already, no matter where he fled to.
5:20 AM - 1 Aug 2013
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/08/01/rise-and-shine-568/#comments
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)and set them up. A two second search found this guy as an example
His defection caused a lot of damage to the Soviet Union Air Force.[1] Belenko was granted asylum by U.S. President Gerald Ford, and a trust fund was set up for him, granting him a very comfortable living in later years. The U.S. Government interrogated and debriefed him for five months after his defection, and employed him as a consultant for several years thereafter.
from wikipedia
He did not end up dead in Russia.
A quick search finds many many others. Now in the UK with some radioactive material... all bets are off.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)with no internet access? Ermahgerd!
(I've stayed out of these threads, but these latest developments are highly amusing...)
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts):shakes-head:
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)You need to understand the difference between concern about potential abuse of power and ACTUAL oppression.
Name one US citizen who has been convicted of anything on the basis of evidence illegally obtained by the NSA. Name one.
Yes, we need to be concerned about that power being abused.
However, in Russia, they will and do lock your ass up for even saying gay people should have the same rights as anyone else.
You have completely missed the point on what Constitutional rights are supposed to guard AGAINST.
And, no, I see no reason for the DoD to be in the Internet business.
But, hey, we're just talking about gay people here - not anyone who matters.
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)You spread disinformation on another thread under the guise of being against gov spying, and then bash the whistleblower who actually done more than anyone yet to curtail their illegal, totalitarian spying.
:shakes-head:
SidDithers
(44,333 posts)/Crocker
Sid
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Yo, could you setup some basic static routes on this Cisco 7304
Snowy, Uh...
Russian dudes, WTF did they give us
reusrename
(1,716 posts)Yo, could you set up a database query system that would be compliant with all of the legal requirements laid out by the secret courts?
Sure, not a problem.
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)They can not permit this narrative to stand, or they are RAT FUCKED!
Their whole system can not survive this kind of precedent as others will no doubt begin to follow the P A T R I O T ' S example.
Edward Snowden is a modern day Paul Revere with a thumb drive full of news that Tyranny is coming!
Edward Snowden's Dad Calls Him 'Modern Day Paul Revere'
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/edward-snowdens-dad-calls-modern-day-paul-revere/story?id=19554337
Hmmm... who knew how influential a DU meme could be 
BeyondGeography
(41,079 posts)
treestar
(82,383 posts)
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greatauntoftriplets
(178,960 posts)Mr. KGB is such a warm and cuddly person!
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)GlashFordan
(216 posts)With Snowden, Putin, Greenwald and Harrison drinking and rocking out in the topless jeep
HipChick
(25,612 posts)stealing powerpoints from a server? and if it wasn't for his clearance, he would never have got the jobs he got..
GlashFordan
(216 posts)They would give him a "No-show" job just to tell their oligarch friends that he's part if the team.
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)
randome
(34,845 posts)Methinks Eddie's 'talents' are vastly over-rated. But I'm sure Russian oligarchs behave similarly to their American counterparts -they really don't give a shit.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)As you have no clue what his tech skills were never having known or worked with him.
Though obviously he has enough skills to be gainfully employed in the tech industry, and more than enough to out wit the entire national security apparatus.
HipChick
(25,612 posts)SFTP, or an anon mode says his skills are somewhat lacking...
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)Let's not forget that
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)To discurage orher whistleblowers from following Snowden's patriotic example.
These sick fucks will go to any length to defend and carry on these blatantly illegal programs.
A patriot able to escape their clutches and successfully find sanctuary has them all shiting their collective tighty-whities.
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)Guy can't catch a break.
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)These sick fucks, and their lackies in the media think it's just fine to spy on everyone, and that we should expect it anyway as there has never been any privacy on the internet, and that is a "fact" inherent in the fundamental design of the tubes.
Don't these creeps just make you want to puke 
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)that gave him asylum.
hope you feel better
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)Are such twisted and disgusting freaks that they have made it impossible to distinguish anymore, the fucking RAT BASTARD TRAITORS have completely trashed our country's honor like a bunch of rich drunken fratboys, with daddies credit card & PIN number.
Don't you just want to run them all out on a rail for what they are doing!?
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)Last edited Fri Aug 2, 2013, 05:46 PM - Edit history (1)
go figure
HipChick
(25,612 posts)
Amonester
(11,541 posts) 
Maximumnegro
(1,134 posts) 
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)he lied about his education and other stuff that should have red flagged him. somehow he bullshited his way into a position to download sensitive information. goes to show just how lax our security is and how desperate companies are for taxpayers dollars
reusrename
(1,716 posts)And what would that have to do with databases anyhow? I have no idea if it is even relevant to the whole PRISM system. Do you know anything about that?
HipChick
(25,612 posts)I see no evidence where he has been able to run an SQL of Oracle,MS SQL ...I doubt he even knows what SQL stands for
randome
(34,845 posts)There are plenty of 'duds' in the business!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)You all are like some dr diagnosing a patient you never met.
HipChick
(25,612 posts)his clearance is the only thing had him move from security guard to a Information Analyst - which really isn't IT
reusrename
(1,716 posts)Wonder why everyone else says he was a systems software guy.
I cannot believe the crap you guys just make up. I don't think you see anything wrong with it.
HipChick
(25,612 posts)or finish a college class?
$120K base was verified by the company that employed him...we have yet to see any info on what he claimed...
I know folks who work at Booz Hamilton and the reaction was the same as mine...It is pretty easy to find out what contracting rates are on a project
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)I don't know the guy, but since he was gainfully employed in the high-tech industry, without formal credentials, i would be the was pretty damn good at what he did.
But all that is besides the main point, his patriotic whistleblowing, this distraction is more about what they reveal about his distracters then him.
HipChick
(25,612 posts)a lot of people in the govt or working for the govt are there because they have a security clearance..nothing more or less
former9thward
(33,424 posts)
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)threads about how miserable he would be, but I remember them.
randome
(34,845 posts)Funny thing he doesn't seem concerned about his 'fish out of water' girlfriend, though.
Yeah. Funny.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]
GlashFordan
(216 posts)But have you SEEN Moscovite women??
Edward, I'd like to recommend you spend some time at Hotel National at Tverskaya and Mokhovaya streets, beautiful view of the Kremlin and walking distance to the Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton stores. Go buy a gift for Ms. Harrison.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)relationship is nor would I even try to guess, nor do I care. That is their own personal business and has nothing to do with the issues.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)Or has his girlfriend been chatting to you?
wandy
(3,539 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)innocent people. Not many countries anywhere want any more Zimmermans invading their countries. They have enough problems of their own.
uponit7771
(93,532 posts)
arely staircase
(12,482 posts)they should give him access to everything
Tikki
(15,133 posts)
Tikki
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)as Romney called them
quinnox
(20,600 posts)And we won! 
Russia is no longer our mortal enemy, folks.
Safetykitten
(5,162 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)They can throw him out at any time. They can put him in jail if they want to. There's nothing guaranteeing the continued good will. The can decide they will extradite him after all, deport him, or send him to a camp. It's up to them, not him, what he does.
MindPilot
(12,693 posts)Oh, yeah, he'd be in prison.
treestar
(82,383 posts)I don't know if you are one of those. But you've missed the point. If charged in the US, for one thing, he might have asked for bail (though now he would not get it). He has a right to speedy trial. He can only be sentenced to what the law allows if convicted. He has the right to counsel. He has the right against self incrimination. He may challenge the evidence in court. Rights of appeal. He has none of this in Russia.
For someone who did something so grand for "the Constitution" he's in a place where it's up to Putin and Co. what happens to him, not him. It's only cushy so long as they allow it.
is that different than living here?
spin
(17,493 posts)The terrorists hate us because of our freedoms. It appears they are winning the War on Terror as we are losing that freedom.
bunnies
(15,859 posts)Arent they famous for piracy? No wonder! 
pnwmom
(110,254 posts)He has lots more information he could share with them.
DevonRex
(22,541 posts)Cha
(318,866 posts)laptops and decided it was an offer he couldn't refuse?
Snowden drains his 4 laptops for Russia's FSB & GRU, gets freedom & a new job. Does Glenn Greenwald get the Hero of The Soviet Union medal?
@JeffersonObama Aug 01, 2013 19:00:18 GMT Follow @JeffersonObama
http://inagist.com/all/363011323472261120/
st snowden is putin's puppet now.
DevonRex
(22,541 posts)he's given to networks in these "jobs" he has been offered.
If it's all a show and there are no real responsibilities and he's given no independent access then he's being watched. That means he gave up his information and they're treating him like any other unaffiliated spy - with mistrust for now. Even though his life is in the balance and so are the lives of his family.
aquart
(69,014 posts)DevonRex
(22,541 posts)And very true because Putin could use all this as a public show, displaying this ring, then whisk Snowden away into some safe house in a barren place and we'll have no clue what happens to him. But Putin can keep an eye on him. Or disappear him.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)If you can find where he's hiding...
Is Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg, a Kremlin Target?
<snip>
"Since 2010, the fifth and sixth floors of the Singer House have been rented out by VKontakte.ru, the most popular social network in Russia. VKontakte, which is pronounced Vee-contact and translates as “in contact,” has more than 210 million users and is the third-most-visited site in Russia. It is a relatively small office—just a couple dozen programmers work at the Singer building—with all the familiar startup accoutrements: brightly colored couches, free soda and chocolate, and a workforce of mainly young male programmers who rarely show up before early afternoon.
When I visited one day in June, Georgy Lobushkin, VKontakte’s 25-year-old spokesperson and the only employee of the press-shy company to have much contact with the outside world, met me as I walked off the caged elevator. We passed rows of empty cubicles. At the end of a hallway was an office with its door open. Houseplants blocked a window; a pair of black, very expensive Bowers & Wilkins speakers sat on the floor. This, said Lobushkin, was the office of VKontakte’s founder and chief executive officer, Pavel Durov."
<snip>
"Durov had not been seen since early April, when he fled the country after investigators opened a case against him for allegedly running over the foot of a traffic policeman in a white Mercedes. There were rumors he was in Italy, or maybe Switzerland, though the U.S. was also a possibility. Wherever he was, he wasn’t in his office, and with every day he stayed invisible, the future of the social network he built became more precarious.
It had been a tumultuous year for Durov and his company. Around the time he disappeared, two original VKontakte investors and longtime friends of Durov’s sold their shares—worth 48 percent of the company—to an investment fund with reported ties to the ruling clique around President Vladimir Putin. Irina Levova, a senior analyst at the Russian Association of Electronic Communications, said the purchase of a stake in VKontakte resembled the “standard Russian method” of a “legitimized raider attack with the help of the Investigative Committee and administrative pressure.” It appeared the Kremlin might have launched the beginnings of a hostile takeover."
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-01/is-pavel-durov-russias-zuckerberg-a-kremlin-target
But hey...free soda and chocolate! Rockstar!!1! 
Cha
(318,866 posts)"Edward Snowden, man of Liberty and Internet Freedom, afraid of losing access to a computer in prison, was granted asylum in Russia on the same day the country enacted it’s own version SOPA according to The Washington Post."
http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2013/08/russia-grants-snowden-asylum-implements-sopa-on-same-day.html
st snowden: "good russia 
bad USA "
great white snark
(2,646 posts)Only on the DU Cha.
Cha
(318,866 posts)or so they fucking claim. they look stupid.
I wish they would be able to live in Russia and post on DU from there and let us know if they're still feelin' it, snark.
GlashFordan
(216 posts)And feel no more or less free there. Where the fuck do people get these impressions about Russia? TV? Movies lol?
There's an old expression among American expats in Russia, "You live in the US to make money, you live in Russia to LIVE."
The sense of community and the friendliness is stunning. If anything... Russia today feels like the US a couple generations ago.
Without all the hormone pumped food in the US and the walking that ALL Russians do, you just don't see many fat, unhealthy looking people. Here in the US when you see that 17 year old young man or woman with 50 year old looking ass and thighs you understand that something is seriously wrong here.
Cha
(318,866 posts)the internet's word that life is good under Putin whose shilling for snowden.
And, fuck it all if one happens to be GAY.
GlashFordan
(216 posts)In all honesty life is good for the 99%, things get a bit iffy when you are wealthy or trying to screw over other oligarchs.
The healthcare is great and nearly all families have a free house.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)...brawahahahahahha.
Freakin' bootlickers are stunned and their owners are livid.
Too bad, so sad.
Brawhahahahahahahahhahahhaha.
I have to admit I am feeling some "schadenfreude", about this whole Snowden thing. I remember how these hardcore Snowden haters would post articles on a daily basis saying the noose was tightening, and basically rooting for him to be captured ASAP. Now that Putin and Russia has granted Snowden asylum, and freedom, however temporary, it appears these Snowden haters are freaking out and angry, while I have a big ol' grin on my face.
Cha
(318,866 posts)
St Snowden has you babbling about "bootlickers" while you're busy licking putin and snowden's boots. 
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)Who can do what he wants now with Snowden, on a whim.
Cha
(318,866 posts)into pretzels.
Putin must be laughing at all his little new found american worshippers on the bad ol USA intertubes.
great white snark
(2,646 posts)So awkward. So hypocritical. Enough though you're starting to give me douchebumps.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)Made up "loyalist" bullshit. So stupid and desperate.
Brawhahahahahahhahahahh.
Harmony Blue
(3,978 posts)the view outside of the U.S. on Snowden is very positive.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)Laughable.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)authoritarian assholes forever. 40 years from now we will be reading(?) about this god damned traitor and how he is to blame for their hemorrhoids or something.
GlashFordan
(216 posts)
gulliver
(13,952 posts)If Russia gave him to us, they would play it up and ask for authentic asylum seekers (Russian ones) to be returned by the United States.