Edward Snowden now has reportedly sought asylum in the former Evil Empire, the one-time communist menace, the enemy of the Free World … and of free expression.
He wants to live in Russia. The irony is getting even richer with this guy.
Russian President Vladmir Putin reportedly has agreed in principle to asylum for Snowden — the former National Security Agency contract worker who spilled the beans to the world about some sensitive information pertaining to our security. But Putin has put a caveat on it: Snowden can stay only if he ceases attempts to damage Russia’s new “partners” in the United States.
How do you like that?
I guess Snowden, who’s been on the lam since fleeing Hong Kong about two weeks ago, gave up on asylum in Ecuador, which also is no champion of free speech and expression.
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, another Internet outfit that relishes releasing sensitive material, said the U.S. revocation of Snowden’s passport is a “disgrace.” No it’s not. It merely represents the U.S. effort to bring this guy into a courtroom, where he could be tried for espionage, which the federal government has charged.
It is amazing to me, though, that Snowden would seek asylum in a country that still punishes people far more severely than the United States does for doing what Snowden is alleged to have done.
This story has a long way to go before it plays itself out.
Stay tuned.