The White House has struggled to find its voice on Edward Snowden, at times insisting that they are simply asking Russia very nicely to hand over the whistleblower, and at other times railing at Russia for not complying with demands to immediately capture him.
Today was one of the later cases, with White House officials angrily threaten Russia, insisting they must immediately capture Snowden for them, and warning of “long-term problems” if they don’t do so. Russia has no extradition treaty with the US, and says they have no grounds to hassle Snowden so long as he is in the International travel section of the airport.
“He is not a human rights activist, he is not a dissident,” insisted press secretary Jay Carney, suggesting that there should be no consideration of asylum for him because the US government doesn’t view him favorably.
As to what the US can realistically do for “long-term problems” with Russia, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R – SC) has an idea, urging the US to announce a full boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics just to spite Russia for not capturing Snowden.
Lindsey Graham is a shameless miserable worm.
No, Lindsey Graham is a shameless, miserable asshole — along with every employee of the NSA, CIA,….. — what a festering swamp of misery Washington is
Graham should hold his breath and pout untill Snowden is returned , the end of this would be a favour to all
Edward Snowden must be an outlaw dissident. Edward Snowden must be a leper. Edward Snowden leaves Gofer Carney struggling for moral relevance. God bless Edward Snowden.
Obama suddenly has a lot bigger problems than Russia holding Snowden. Half the nations on earth are angry about collecting their communication records. Obama is going to be kind of a lame duck with all these countries in the foreign policy arena. Syria is a complete disaster. And the courts and Congress are beginning to come after him at home.
What Snowden have showed is the true face of vulture capitalism warning the world about the system illegal activities, that alone makes him a human rights activist, a truth teller, antiwar activists and every other aspects regarding his revelation.
So, far Russia has adopted a very balanced approach, while the U.S. Administration and mainstream media have been shooting themselves in the foot, while most Americans, whom the Administration should be representing, value Snowden's disclosures and applaud his courage. Perhaps the pollsters should not only evaluate Snowden but also compare him and his deeds with the Administration and its efforts to strong arm and prosecute.
True he is not primarily a dissident. He is a true patriot who has exposed the gangster empire for what it is. He tried to put a halt on the war of attrition being carried out against the constitution by the real traitors. They swore an oath to protect the constitution of the United States of America from enemies within and foreign. Obama and the NSA have made a mocquerie of this oath!
They accuse Snowden of espionage. Read the espionage act! For what enemy did he spy? The American people? I hope they are worthy of his self-sacrifice forsaking his comfortable life to become an international pariah to protect their constitutional rights.
Perhaps he should have taken care of welfare and not give a damn about his fellow citizens.
Jay Carney: shut up
Few things are more entertaining than watching a big cry baby throw a temper tantrum.
USA is no longer a buggy man, everything it dose or have done is backfiring to its face. People as Lindsay Graham or rest of the three stooges are nothing but stooges with a title as senators which doesn't change anything.
it is my heartfelt hope and desire that Vladimir flips the US government and Carney the bird.
The world MUST BOYCOTT WARMONGER AMERIKA–NOW
I was thinking the same thing evreybody go to the 2014 olypics but the United States is not invited becuase they have bombed Yugoslavia Iraq Lybya and supported all kinds of evil revolutions No longer go home Yankee but stay home
Perhaps the Russians should demand the return of some Russians who have actually spied for the United States:
http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-…
Maybe Obama will also send back to Russia several Chechens enjoying asylum in the US, including Ilyas Maskhadov, and Khassan Baiev, whose political asylum was sponsored by the George Soros-funded Physicians for Human Rights after both Chechnya and Russia viewed his actions as treasonous … http://www.wnd.com/2013/04/u-s-gave-asylum-to-acc…
Judging by the number of tantrums thrown by Carney on behalf of the regime, Snowden really has struck a major nerve. I hope Greenwald and The Guardian continue to apply steadily increasing pressure to that nerve. Until the surveillance system abomination is annihilated beyond any hope of recovery and serious safeguards implemented to prevent it ever arising again, the job is not done.
Lindsey Graham and the US Government may not view Edward Snowden "favorably", but the American people do! He is, like many other "whistleblowers", our hero.
Yes Lindsey, like the rest of the world is really going to be upset by the perv who reads their mail threatening not to come to the big game.
If Putin believes caving in to US government demands and threats about Snowden will avoid "long-term problems" with the US government,
then Putin would be an incredibly stupid fool.
Is Putin aware of the encircling missile bases, the incitement and arming of the nation of Georgia, Kosovo, or the attacks on his Syrian ally?
I'am sure he is , Georgia is where Russia drew the red line and Medevedev told NATO to come right on in to the black Sea we have been waiting for you ever since you destroyed Yugoslavia
Puffed up politicians are a silly spectacle. I hope Mr. Snowden finds peace, and a nice safe place to hang out.
Lindsay Graham would punish Sports Teams for political gains ?
But it is americas usual practice to punish the innocent.
Graham, shame on you and anyone voting for you.
Graham, we the people need to boycott your lousy state for them electing a war criminal and a Bill of Rights hating Senator. Snowden has exposed a major crime being committed by the NSA and you go after Snowden and defend the major crime? His logic is about as warped as Carney.
we should boycott all american made products ,,, oh !… wait a minute !!…there aren't any american made products LOL
I hate long-term problems. They need to step back a hundred plus years and settle this quickly as Buffalo Bill did when 'Indians' were threatening the US Gov. Give Mr. Carney a Bowie knife and Mr. Putin can surely find a representative in his spokes-corp to meet him. Make it pay-per-view to help pay for support for the aggrieved family afterwards. Might even provide enough to reduce the respective deficits. Best yet, maybe Putin and Obama could represent their organizations personally for a really big box-office draw. Just a thought.
Wouldn't be the first Olympics America boycotted.
Do they think the rest of the world won't show up, screwing their athletes over who have worked so hard to get there? Just to make a point?
Petulant idiots.
Lindsey Graham is a closeted tinkle fairy who has had his job for too long. Time to go.
As soon as all politicians and NSA bureaucrats involved in this massive violation of the 4th amendment are arrested and indicted, I think it is reasonable to ask Snowden to come back as witness for the prosecution.
Well well well. In 1980 the USA boycotted the Olympic Games because the USSR had invaded Afghanistan (even though they had been asked by the government of the day). Lindsey Graham must not know.
It's amusing to see spineless cowards like Obama pretending to be tough. He'll be back to his Rodney King can't we all get along self if Putin gets irked. Dance Barry, dance.
Lindsay Graham, a man who believes that a Lawyers written opinion is in fact LAW, Does that give you an idea of the intelligence of the man! As Forrest Gump would say "stupid is as Stupid does!"
I thought the USA was all about democracy? If Washington loves democracy so much, shouldn't they be representing the people and calling Snowden a whistle blower? Or is all the democracy talk from Washington really just an obvious, tooth-skin thin facade for fascism? Hmm. This is a real thinker. I'm going to be up all night contemplating this.
WH threaten Russia?? You should stop posting funny article this type! I hurt myself laughing so much, that I have fallen from my chair!
Putin will never expel Snowden. Russia is not afraid. It shouldn't be.
For this, I praise Russia for defying the wimp in the Whitehouse. Maybe he will throw a tantrum, crawl under the Lincoln bed and pout, or pound his head against floor in the Rose Room. One can only hope.