Treating him as a saint; because he revealed the NSA stuff, all his subsequent actions are justified and he should not be subject to criticism.
This is an extremely common view in some part of the English speaking internet.
I reject this approach. As far as I am concerned, I hope him and his family get to experience what they the wish upon Ukrainians in the occupied territories (getting sent to to a torture camp for speaking Ukrainian).
You’re putting words in my mouth. I’m saying his actions are understandable. He has no chance of returning to the US, his only real chance at a somewhat normal life is playing into Russia’s hand.
Whether someone thinks those actions are justified is an opinion. I’m merely stating the most likely explanation for his actions.
As far as I’m concerned, his usefulness to Americans concerned about government spying ended as soon as he exposed internal NSA docs. Everything else is merely him trying to survive. Make of that what you will.
I am not putting words in your mouth. You literally state that it impossible that Snowden made a decision to support russia for more malicious reasons. The only scenario you are even willing to consider is that he is innocent by default and he was pressured, without even a drop of nuance.
I’m merely stating the most likely explanation for his actions.
How do you know this? Can you read russian? Have you ever had any type of contact with russian officials or members of the elite (in any capacity)? What do you know about russian doctrine on foreign propaganda? What other historical examples can you cite to strengthen your argument?
You literally state that it impossible that Snowden made a decision to support russia for more malicious reasons
I didn’t say that, I said it’s the most likely explanation.
he is innocent by default
First of all, that’s what I assume by default until given enough information to assume otherwise. I don’t have that information, so why would I assume he’s not being pressuresd by Russia?
How do you know this?
I certainly can’t know for sure, but I can see how Russia treats its citizens that oppose it (e.g. Alexei Navalny). You know, the whole “committed suicide by shooting themselves in the back of the head twice” thing. His value to Russia has run its course by now. I’m not saying he was threatened with death or anything, I’m saying there’s a good chance he was made to understand that opposing Russian interests isn’t in his interests.
One does not simply oppose Putin as a public figure in Russia.
That said, I don’t think it’s particularly important anyway. He’s not really an expert on anything, certainly not Russian foreign policy.
And how does this justify Snowden promoting russian genocidal imperialism in Ukraine?
He did a good thing, so now he is an untouchable saint?
I’m guessing that was a deal Russia made with him, he gets to live as long as he’s useful to Russia.
I don’t think anyone is calling him a saint. He’s a whistleblower whose best option was to defect to Russia, after a period of trying not to do that.
Treating him as a saint; because he revealed the NSA stuff, all his subsequent actions are justified and he should not be subject to criticism.
This is an extremely common view in some part of the English speaking internet.
I reject this approach. As far as I am concerned, I hope him and his family get to experience what they the wish upon Ukrainians in the occupied territories (getting sent to to a torture camp for speaking Ukrainian).
Ah yes, an eye for an eye, certainly the way to advance humanity.
Propagandists are legitimate targets in a state of war. Your moralising is shallow and insincere.
You’re putting words in my mouth. I’m saying his actions are understandable. He has no chance of returning to the US, his only real chance at a somewhat normal life is playing into Russia’s hand.
Whether someone thinks those actions are justified is an opinion. I’m merely stating the most likely explanation for his actions.
As far as I’m concerned, his usefulness to Americans concerned about government spying ended as soon as he exposed internal NSA docs. Everything else is merely him trying to survive. Make of that what you will.
I am not putting words in your mouth. You literally state that it impossible that Snowden made a decision to support russia for more malicious reasons. The only scenario you are even willing to consider is that he is innocent by default and he was pressured, without even a drop of nuance.
How do you know this? Can you read russian? Have you ever had any type of contact with russian officials or members of the elite (in any capacity)? What do you know about russian doctrine on foreign propaganda? What other historical examples can you cite to strengthen your argument?
I didn’t say that, I said it’s the most likely explanation.
First of all, that’s what I assume by default until given enough information to assume otherwise. I don’t have that information, so why would I assume he’s not being pressuresd by Russia?
I certainly can’t know for sure, but I can see how Russia treats its citizens that oppose it (e.g. Alexei Navalny). You know, the whole “committed suicide by shooting themselves in the back of the head twice” thing. His value to Russia has run its course by now. I’m not saying he was threatened with death or anything, I’m saying there’s a good chance he was made to understand that opposing Russian interests isn’t in his interests.
One does not simply oppose Putin as a public figure in Russia.
That said, I don’t think it’s particularly important anyway. He’s not really an expert on anything, certainly not Russian foreign policy.