Snowden has ticket to Cuba, may go to Venezuela: Russian reports

[cali]

He's got a ticket to ride.

Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden is booked on a flight from Moscow to Cuba on Monday, Russian news agencies Interfax and Itar-Tass cited sources at Russian airline Aeroflot as saying on Sunday.

Itar-Tass cited its source as saying Snowden would fly from Havana to the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.


The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was looking into the situation and confirmed Snowden may be planning to travel through Moscow as a transit passenger en route to another destination.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/23/us-usa-security-russia-cuba-idUSBRE95M04E20130623

[cali]

3. More like they spit in the eye of the U.S

Last edited Sun Jun 23, 2013, 07:07 AM - Edit history (1)

saying that their extradition request was for shit, and let him go.

I'm sure Mr. Snowden will enjoy Caracas.

[cali]

5. well,

<snip>

In Caracas, the weather is fantastic. It’s never too hot, and it never gets cold. Venezuela itself is gorgeous with pristine mountains and beaches. And despite their reputation for being murderous thugs, Venezuelans are actually friendly people.

<snip>

I would also be remiss if I failed to mention that single people will be absolutely delighted down here, especially men. There seems to be a beauty pageant every other weekend with no shortage of gorgeous women vying for the title.

So if you’re expecting that proverbial knock-knock at the door from Big Brother… think about heading down to Caracas while you consider your options.

Read more: http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/if-you-had-to-disappear-where-would-you-go/#ixzz2X2DvwyCC

Many parts of Caracas are evidently lovely and safe.

Looks like a good gig.

I know that's a disappointment to you.

One other note, I'm always amused by denizens of the U.S. going on about "shit hole" countries. Go to detroit, Take a look around the inner cities. Think about the number of poor people in this country.

[newthinking]

10. Stereotype much? You show your ignorance of other cultures

Everything is not "Politic". You just slighted the people of those countries.

Care to differentiate your crass comments about other cultures so it doesn't appear zenophobic?

[dipsydoodle]

6. Nothing shithole about Cuba.

As you'd know if you'd been there. I assume you have been there ?

[peacebird]

2. Safe travels Mr. Snowden, safe travels!

I personally think he is a patriot, and the powers behind the NSA are the traitors.

There were 4 whistleblowers who followed proper channels and got nothing but their careers destroyed. His approach has shed much needed light on this.

[randome]

16. Those 4 whistleblowers all say Snowden is also a traitor. Don't 'forget' that part.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[Cirque du So-What]

11. Shithole or Paradise notwithstanding

If Snowden seeks asylum in either Cuba or Venezuela, his credibility will be bupkus with a large segment of the US population. With the possible exceptions of Iran and North Korea, he could not have possibly picked destinations more damaging to his reputation, casting a pall over his stated intentions.

[bemildred]

12. Mr. Snowden has shot down our spooks' deniability, is what he has done.

And the international audience is the one that is important in that regard. This will make the situation such that when the State Dept. spouts some sanctimonious drivel about freedom and liberty and democracy, everybody is going to laugh.

[Cirque du So-What]

13. Well, he hasn't done himself any favors either

By seeking asylum in either Cuba or Venezuela, he has given ammunition to prosecutors who will portray him as a traitor of the worst sort: finding sanctuary with either a communist regime or a socialist one - both at odds with the US government. Personally, I believe he's gotta do what's necessary to survive, but the lurid headlines practically write themselves.

[bemildred]

14. Thanks for explaining that Nostadamus.

It appears to me that the US government is the one that has not done itself any favors here, and the UK government too. This is some of the dumbest shit I have ever seen from our security apparatus.

You are quite right the the government is freaked out, they have just been pantsed in public, and appear to be impotent to do much about it, and they HATE being seen to be impotent worse than just about anything.

[Cirque du So-What]

15. No need to get snotty with me; I'm merely the messenger

If the government is as freaked out as you insist, then doesn't it seem likely that they will attempt to portray Snowden in the worst possible light - and what better way than to place special emphasis upon the location where he seeks refuge? Remember, a rat is most dangerous when cornered.

[bemildred]

18. And wrong, too.

Mr. Snowden has already stated that he EXPECTS them to do what you describe.

[Cirque du So-What]

19. So I guess there's a general consensus then

I'll be traveling today, so I can't reply any further.

[bemildred]

20. There is going to be a consensus that the people behind this are incompetent fools.

And if the US government protects them, it will deserve the resulting humiliation.

[Catherina]

17. Godspeed Mr Snowden n/t

[FSogol]

21. Don't worry, he'll be back in the US in time to kick off the Rand Paul for President campaign!

[Daniel537]

22. Good.

The people of either country will welcome him with open arms. I wish him nothing but the best.

[roamer65]

23. As long as Maduro is in power, he'll have asylum.

If the right wing parties ever win a election down there, he will need to leave.

[carolinayellowdog]

24. Wiki leaks statement said he was going to a democracy

which would rule out Cuba but not Venezuela; but either destination would make the "traitor" label stick, a lot more than if he went to Iceland

[FarCenter]

26. They have elections in Cuba, so technically it is a democracy.

It is not a multi-party democracy.

[FarCenter]

25. "as a transit passenger en route to another destination" -- No visa required?

Does this mean that he sleeps in the airport?

Otherwise, wouldn't the Russian have to issue a visa or waive the requirement for a visa?

[Purveyor]

27. Russia Today has indicated that indeed he will be spending the night at the airport in Russia.

BTW, if you can watch Russia Today...it is most interesting this morning.

[graham4anything]

28. I don't get something, what is the fascination of following a slow moving world wide plane chase?

These so called reports have him zigzagging over tens of thousands of miles in all sorts of different directions.

Talk about that cult of personality that I thought everyone hated so much.

It's a whole cottage industry now. Where in the world is ?????



In one hour, I am going to the beach. It's gonna be 90, and well, I don't get the fascination.

This is so celebrity like.

[cali]

29. why am I surprised that you don't understand why this is a huge story?

and no, the story isn't about the cult of personality.

[graham4anything]

31. it is about the cult of personality. Rand Paul indicated his side just today.

There are 1000s of people at the beach, and not one is talking about this.

I bet, if you ask 1000 people today on the beach in NJ, what is the name of Kim/Kanye's baby, more Americans would tell you the babies name than know about this story.

and come Monday, Ralph Nader's supreme court is going to make some important rulings, which is all anyone would be talking about next week.

It's what it is.
and the choice is stark- because Al Gore would not have nominated Alito and Roberts and that is the court that shall rule on Monday or Tuesday.

and we know who the President Nominated and got passed. It wasn't Alito and Roberts

and the next 2 justices will be democratic replacements. Sorry, but I do not stand with Rand.

And we know where Rand stands are and I can't stand Rand.

[leveymg]

30. They'll let him go. But, first, a little debriefing.

Why didn't he just fly directly to wherever from HK? Why didn't he just hop a ferry to the Mainland? I suspect he really doesn't know much, which is why China also let him go.