NYT: In unexpected bid for coveted prize, US gov't makes move Tuesday to "out dick" rest of world

[JDPriestly]

3. Insulting South America.

I wonder to how many people from South and Central America the US has granted asylum in spite of grave protests from the countries from which the people fled. The number probably isn't that small. We consider the Cubans seeking asylum in the US because of repression of their speech rights and their giving us Cuban secrets to be heroes. Cuba no doubt is laughing at us right now. This is pitiful.

We may object to the fact that another country might grant political asylum to someone we consider to be an enemy of our state, but we should respect the sovereignty of other nations enough not to take drastic retaliatory measures against a country that does that. Fact is that Snowden has not killed anyone. He has committed a political crime, a crime against our state, and he claims to have done it out of conscience. You can question is view on what he did. There are arguments on both sides. But let's face it, he is a political fugitive. He is not a violent criminal. He did not rape anyone or kill anyone or even assault anyone.

If another country wants to grant him asylum, that is that country's business.

We have to respect the national sovereignty of other nations. That's just the way the world works. We are an independent nation. So are other nations.

We have granted asylum to all kinds of people who were wanted in the countries they were from. And some of them brought secrets and handed them to our government. That is the way the world works. Grow up, please. We are not the kings of the earth. What is more, we are not always right.

In the marketplace for ideas, let the best ideas win.