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U.S. Entitled to Edward Snowden’s Proceeds From His New Memoir, Judge Says

posted 4 years ago by Satan2016 (23319)
11 replies | jump to latest

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/us/politics/snowden-book-lawsuit.html

The federal government is entitled to the former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden’s proceeds from his new memoir and from several of his paid speeches because he did not submit the material, which referenced intelligence activities, to federal agencies in advance, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Judge Liam O’Grady of the United States District Court in Alexandria, Va., said in his ruling that Mr. Snowden, who disclosed top-secret documents in 2013 about National Security Agency surveillance programs, had previously signed agreements with the C.I.A. and the N.S.A. allowing them to review disclosures about certain intelligence-related work before he made them public.

[–] footlegger (1462) 4 years ago

Haha... they couldn't get him to shut up about their assholery, so now they want his money. How typical.

[–] Redsfan001 (6003) 4 years ago

He is a divisive figure in the USA, but most of Trump supporters view him as a traitor.

A deal with Russia to extradite him to the USA would be a big win for Trump in a election year.

If I we're Snowden, I would be worried about this prospect and be thinking about leaving Russia to another country W/O a extradition treaty with the US.

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 4 years ago

"leaving Russia to another country W/O a extradition treaty with the US."

lol. What country? If you take a look there just aren't any countries outside of Russia and China with the geopolitical power to withstand the long reach of US Justice. And he already tried China when he originally bailed to Hong Kong and learned to his chagrin that they weren't interested in harboring him at the expense of US diplomacy, although they did allow him to escape out the backdoor.

Sure there are 3rd world countries without extradition treaties, but none are particularly well positioned politically or economically to withstand a full court press by the US DOJ to extradite a high profile fugitive like Snowden. We saw what happened to Assange as soon as Ecuadorians elected a more US friendly administration.

The US just has too much economic and diplomatic power to make life miserable for any third world country without an extradition treaty that harboring Snowden would be untenable and simply not worth the cost. Nicaragua maybe? Possibly Iran? The options are severely limited. They all fear US sanctions when they're all forced to do business with US banks since the dollar is the reserve currency of the world.

[–] Redsfan001 (6003) 4 years ago

Cuba. That country seems to be immune to US sanctions, and really likes to thumb its nose at the US. Russia is to high profile, they want a new nuclear deal and can use Snowden as a bargining chip.

He would really be a feather in the cap for Trump, he could crow about the weak Dems and how they coddle such a traitor.

Of course Snowden isn't going anywhere, Russia is watching him 24/7/365, a bird in a guilded cage.

He is probably reading the political wind correctly, not sleeping well, knowing any second he could grabbed by Russian spooks,taken to prison and used as trade bait.

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 4 years ago

Great point, I'd forgotten about Cuba. You're right, they might be most insulated to withstand US pressure. Plus they'd probably like the chance to stick it to Trump after he reneged on Obama's rapprochement. They also have a history of granting asylum to US dissidents seeking to evade persecution.

Does Russia really want a new nuke deal? I'm not so sure. My understanding is that they were already breaking the terms of the START treaty that Trump backed out of, as the Nyonoksa radiation incident exposed their active development of mobile ICBMs. Plus I don't see Trump backing out of START if Putin really had a problem with it given how obsequious and deferential he is to Putin on every other issue.

[–] Redsfan001 (6003) 4 years ago

Putin does want Trump re-elected, given the Presidents seeming apathy toward NATO.

The gift of Snowden sometime near election time would boost Trump's prospect for a second term. It would also make Putin look smart. It would be 'election interference' of a different kind, one that would be hard to criticize. It would warm relations with the West.

Also, I have read that Russia is trying to cleave America on various hot topics;race, religion, politics etc...using social media.

Snowden is a very divisive figure. Russia's media infiltrators could get great milage out of such a gesture.

Still...it probably won't happen, leaving Snowden in Russia will let other future 'traitors' know that they have a safe haven, but it is a possibility.

[–] beavis (3249) 4 years ago

I was unsure if i wanted to buy his book for that reason, i watched his interviews. If I had more money I wouldve bought it anyhow.

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 4 years ago

Snowden mentioned this as a realistic possibility in his Rogan interview just prior to the publication of his book. But it didn't bother him too much since he'd already deposited his publisher's advance in his bank account. That's the risk his publisher took for paying out his advance.

[–] beavis (3249) 4 years ago

oh , i don't remember that part, was a long interview or just snowden talking the whole time

[–] eYeDEF (5050) 4 years ago

Yeah it was a long interview and Joe gave him lots of space (a little too much imo) to just ramble unimpeded.

[–] Satan2016 (23319) 4 years ago

Rand Paul is the only politician I know of who would grant Snowden whistleblower protection:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/06/politics/rand-paul-senate-vote-whistleblower-protection/

The far-left along with libertarians support Snowden. Doesn't seem like The Squad do.