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US Charges Edward Snowden With Espionage

cold fjord writes "Further developments in the controversy engulfing Edward Snowden and the NSA. From the Washington Post: "Federal prosecutors have filed a sealed criminal complaint against Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked a trove of documents about top-secret surveillance programs, and the United States has asked Hong Kong to detain him on a provisional arrest warrant,... Snowden was charged with espionage, theft and conversion of government property ... The complaint was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, a jurisdiction where Snowden's former employer, Booz Allen Hamilton, is headquartered, and a district with a long track record in prosecuting cases with national security implications...it is thought that he is still in the Chinese territory. Hong Kong has its own legislative and legal systems but ultimately answers to Beijing, under the so-called "one country, two systems" arrangement. The leaks have sparked national and international debates about the secret powers of the NSA to infringe on the privacy of both Americans and foreigners. Officials from President Obama down have said they welcomed the opportunity to explain the importance of the programs, and the safeguards they say are built into them. Skeptics, including some in Congress, have said the NSA has assumed power to soak up data about Americans that were never intended under the law."""

6 of 442 comments (clear)

  1. Not News by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    We were no expecting USA to hail him as a hero obviously. It is hilarious though how he exposed Obama's lies today about the NSA not being capable of spying on citizens though.
    I hope if in this country Zimmerman can get a public and (hopefully) fair trial, then Snowden should as well.

  2. Re:Why is it a sealed criminal complaint? by icebike · · Score: 3, Funny

    That and future winners of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award, which some future President will be forced to give this guy.
    I'm betting you could run a pretty good election campaign just on that alone, because the demonizing isn't going to well except among the circle jerks in DC.

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    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  3. Re:Should Have be Charged With Treason by Spy+Handler · · Score: 3, Funny

    is that you, Dick? How's the shotgun?

  4. Re:Didn't need to be the NSA by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny

    To know that's what was going to happen.

    Still, I draped a thread over a string I saw running through the neighborhood and tied it to my own tin can and heard pretty much that.

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  5. Irony Much? by ObsessiveMathsFreak · · Score: 3, Funny

    The NSA is charging Snowden with spying?

    I suppose " the logic of their position demanded it."

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    May the Maths Be with you!
  6. Re:dude iraq is different, thats war by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The USA isnt going to do a full invasion of the UK."

    You brits keep telling yourself that....

    Now if you dont increase the shipments of PG Tips, HP Sauce and start sending us Dutchy Biscuits... We might have to go looking for WMD's in your country...

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    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.