Snowden resoundingly and harshly criticized the new Russian law that requires bloggers to register. You must watch it. Snowden is as tough on the Russsian excesses that he knows of as he is on the NSA's. That's my impression.

We shall see what happens in June when his permit to stay in Russia is up for review or renewal (whatever the Russians do or call it I have no idea).

or talk much to Russians yet.

He doesn't know enough Russian? Or he's too stupid to use google translate? Or get the English editions offered of every major Russian newspaper?

Come on.

Having lived and traveled in countries in which I could not speak the language well, I know what he meant. Anyone who has had that experience will understand.

In one country, I refused to let the gas-man into our apartment to connect the gas or check the meter. After we moved out, our landlord sent us a huge bill. I didn't understand the language in the country in which we lived well enough to know the strange man at the foot of the stairs just wanted to turn the meter on.

I eventually learned the language but I will never forget the huge gas bill we got -- for many, man months all in one big bill.

Google did not exist then.

Have you watched all of the hours of the interview? I haven't yet. I understand it is very long and hard to download. The portion presented on NBC was abridged to fit into the limited time.

The idea that he can't find English speakers is ridiculous. Just like he can't find English news sources?

I bet Snowden learned that bit of Russian.
Means something like:

I'm fucked.

Oh, and it's quaint that Ukraine, attempting to pass a "Ukrainian as official language" law is fascist, but Russia's "Russian is Russia's official language" is fine.

... Even when he's obviously in the wrong.

for what he should say about Russia signifies that all this NSA stuff is untrue!

The NSA only targets bad people. In no way does the NSA violate human rights or the U.S. constitution. It does not engage in economic espionage, blackmail, illegal search and seizure, or service to private corporate clientele. The NSA does not use your tax money for anything wrong. Its budget is probably published in full for everyone to review.

as he is on the US.

It is a very high bar, given the history of each country, to expect Russia to allow the freedoms that we take for granted. Snowden knows from personal experience that he, as a blogger, had far more freedom than the Russian bloggers. We have seen excerpts of his posts that are certainly not pro-government - yet he was not harassed for them and he still was able to get a job working with government secrets. This kind of flies in the face of believing that the government is watching every little thing everybody does! Some of the most embarrassing Snowden comments are those when he has praised Russia at the expense of the US - likely because he needed asylum tried to make that case.

However, I think that is to be expected. As a "guest", he really can not overtly offend his host. As to this, Snowden did not initiate it and he appears not to have answered it.

to call Mr. Snowden whatever I feel like, within the bounds of the TOS.

Hey...at least I didn't call him a "piece of shit used car salesman."

When asked why, their answer (roughly translated) was this: "It's melting."
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Birds are territorial creatures.
The lyrics to the songbird's melodious trill go something like this:
"Stay out of my territory or I'll PECK YOUR GODDAMNED EYES OUT!"[/center][/font][hr]

-yeah- I totally agree- the times are bizarre indeed.
But I thought it should be mentioned that Echo Moskvi has been a relatively independent news source in Russia, at least until recently.
(All independent media are now in trouble in Russia,of course, and I remember reading something specific about new constraints on Echo Moskvi, too, but can't remember the details)

could see the bizarroland McCarthyist posts about Snowden here.

(Well they can, it's the Internet. And they wouldn't give a shit, presumably.)

that honor.

Oops. No I won't. Look who is honoring him. Read the link in post #15. Notice the ignorance of those who is mocking this honor.

Given the crackdown on press freedom lately what do you think is the truth? You found an article from two years ago to justify a claim today. I'm unconvinced.

I mean, if they're dissenters then they must be good, right? 'cept some of them are anti-democracy and want Putin to be more fascistic.

That's cute. If mean.

so could you help us out, as in, give some evidence for your claim that "There are actual Russian dissidents honoring Snowden"

for his criticism of Putin. As the article states, when Venediktov was removed, it "sent a chill through the journalistic world here."

For some reason, you find that this person, who has taken journalistic risks in an oppressive country, bizarre for wanting to honor Snowden.

given that he is editor in chief of the radio station Ekho Moskvy.

Just as easily, the motivation for his championing of Snowden could be to gain more favor from the Kremlin.

As you have admitted, his resignation from the board had nothing to with Snowden http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/world/europe/russia-radio-shake-up-follows-putin-criticism.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1401742535-ztsXmcKzITqoFoIL8i0koA

not in relatively cushy jobs at a radio station headed by Kremlin loyalist Yekaterina Pavlova.

Respect and best wishes to Venediktov, but naming an award after Snowden is a dumb move at best and a suspicious one at worst.

should strings need to be pulled.

More so than ever, tendency rising...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/01/20/poll-nsa-surveillance/4638551/

Here's another poll from January, dated two days later than yours.

Poll: Most think Edward Snowden should stand trial in U.S.

National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden leaked information about the secret program that collected the phone and internet records of people in the U.S. and abroad – and his actions are not well-received by the public.
Most Americans – 61 percent - think Snowden should have to stand trial in the United States for his actions. Far fewer – 23 percent - think he should be granted amnesty. Republicans, Democrats, and independents all agree on this as well.

Meanwhile, 31 percent approve of Snowden’s actions, while most, 54 percent, disapprove. Majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents disapprove.

Americans are divided as to the impact on the country from making the NSA program public. While 40 percent think the disclosure has been good for the country, 46 percent think it has been bad.

When asked to come up with a word that describes Edward Snowden, nearly a quarter volunteer either traitor or a similar word that questions his loyalty to his country, while 8 percent say he is “brave” or “courageous” or “a hero”. Just 2 percent volunteered that he is a patriot or patriotic, and another 2 percent say “terrorist”.

Makes him hugely popular. That's 100 million people who aren't buying into the hate propaganda.

And of course, you're the one who introduced this topic here, duh.

Riddle me this, Jack. How much fail is too much?

You brought in the nonsense about what people think in the U.S. being the determinant of right and wrong. I pointed out that even assuming this very false standard, about half of them, depending on the poll, think the NSA is the bad guys. That number is bound to rise (and it has risen a great deal, of course).

However, I give up because you did post a macho graphic taking up our field of view, making fun of some child for some reason. (What does it say about a "fail" graphic when it singularly fails at being funny?) In any case, your use of it makes you a real winner of this argument. Congrats.

different topics. And I can't blame you for wanting to drop a subject you so obviously weren't prepared for.