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Eric Holder Says DoJ Could Strike Deal With Snowden; Current AG Takes Hard Line
cold fjord writes with the report at Yahoo that Former Attorney General Eric Holder said today that a "possibility exists" for the Justice Department to cut a deal with ... Edward Snowden that would allow him to return to the United States ... Holder said "we are in a different place as a result of the Snowden disclosures" and that "his actions spurred a necessary debate" that prompted President Obama and Congress to change policies ... "I certainly think there could be a basis for a resolution that everybody could ultimately be satisfied with. I think the possibility exists."
A representative of current Attorney General Loretta Lynch, though, said that there has been no change in the government's position ("This is an ongoing case so I am not going to get into specific details but I can say our position regarding bringing Edward Snowden back to the United States to face charges has not changed."), Holder's musings aside. As the article points out, too, "any suggestion of leniency toward Snowden would likely run into strong political opposition in Congress as well as fierce resistance from hard-liners in the intelligence community."
Especially when the queen of asset forfeiture is in charge. If I was Snowden, I wouldn't take any deal from this administration, because you can't trust them. No honor among thieves, as the saying goes.
Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
'As the article points out, too, "any suggestion of leniency toward Snowden would likely run into strong political opposition from the corrupt backroom-dealing lying scum in Congress as well as fierce resistance from hard-liners in the unconstitutional criminal voyeur community."'
So, which policies did they actually change? And were any of the changes for the better?
Frankly, I can't think of any off the top of my head....
"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
People get into the "hero" vs. "traitor" camps, but actually he looks like a bit of both.
Hero for revealing the illegal activities of the NSA and its stooges both inside and outside the USA.
Traitor for (allegedly) revealing information about agents, assets etc. active in "hostile" countries.
If he'd kept back the latter, he *might* have had a chance of bargaining his way back into the US, (if he wants to come; discuss).
Unfortunately, it was probably a requirement of Putin giving him shelter in Russia, despite denials from everybody to the contrary.
So, can't see this happening anytime soon.
The only reasonable deal would be for the US government to drop all charges, award Edward Snowden the highest national honours and hire him as a consultant to help them gain useful intelligence without the immoral and illegal practices that were revealed. At the same time, everyone directly responsible for any of the fundamental breaches of human rights committed should be put to trial, as should everyone who had the power to stop it but did not.
Anything less would be an insult to Edward Snowden and a huge missed opportunity for all victims of data theft by the American government, in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Snowden might belong in a prison cell for some of the things he's done but that "hardline opposition" definitely deserves life in prison at minimum for what they've done.
A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."