Donald Trump Thinks The Extradition Process Is Too Slow, Suggests Just Killing Edward Snowden

from the oh...-so-that-hairdo's-called-an-'asshat' dept

Tue, Jun 25th 2013 4:42am — Tim Cushing

I'm not sure at which point Fox News' "Fox & Friends" decided Donald Trump held a valid opinion on anything beyond bankruptcy proceedings and divorce settlements, but the hosts went ahead and let the man talk (about current affairs, no less).

Trump has no time in his busy life for due process or anything else we Americans take for granted in our justice system. There's only one way to deal with a "spy" like Edward Snowden.

"You know, spies in the old days used to be executed," Trump said. "This guy is becoming a hero in some circles. Now, I will say, with the passage of time, even people that were sort of liking him and were trying to go on his side are maybe dropping out… We have to get him back and we have to get him back fast. It could take months or it could take years, and that would be pathetic."

At this point, we're still dealing with the rhetorical. Trump thinks swift justice is the best justice and allowing Snowden to roam the earth somewhat freely is "pathetic." The severely wounded pride of the Republic can't bear the weight of another leak. Trump goes back against his first statement with his followup.

"This guy's a bad guy and, you know, there's still a thing called execution," he went on. "You really have to take a strong… You have thousands of people with access to material like this. We're not going to have a country any longer."

It no longer sounds like Trump wants Snowden taken into custody. It sounds more like he'd prefer someone to put out a hit on him. Again, Trump's concern for this glorious nation of ours drives his soulful plea to kill an American citizen who's only been charged with ~~embarrassing his betters~~ espionage and "theft" of government property.

Of course, Trump doesn't have the power to see this action carried out. But, then again, neither does the government. Snowden isn't a "spy" and hasn't been charged with treason, one of the few federal crimes that includes execution as a punishment option. So, this is just Trump fantasizing about putting Snowden down because he doesn't like what he's done.

As for "not having a country any longer," does this mean Trump is happy with the status quo? The country we have currently is the country we want? Snowden's leaks exposed the government for what it is: a complicit entity that carries water for security agencies and g-men. This is a country whose citizens' rights are being sacrificed on the cross of safety. We hardly have a "country" as it is -- at least not one that would be easily recognized by the founding fathers. And this is what would be saved by the death of Edward Snowden? This is what would be preserved by spilling blood in order to stem the flow previously suppressed information?

If so, who wants it? I know I don't. But if Trump feels this sort of thing is necessary to "protect" the nation, then it's certainly the country he deserves.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: donald trump, ed snowden, edward snowden, execution

93 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Ninja (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 4:26am

Sadly we could assume that this was probably considered already in the secret service as Snowden is still leaking stuff in the future. The Government may not be legally allowed to execute the guy. But not being allowed by laws or the Constitution never stopped the US Govt as the leaks have shown quite clearly.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- The Real Michael, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:03am
  
  Re:
  Michael Hastings.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:05am
  
  Re:
  >The Government may not be legally allowed to execute the guy
  
  Um, yes, they are. It's called targeted killing.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Howard (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:10am
    
    Re: Re:
    Just drop a nuke on him and call the +1M non-targeted victim "collateral damage"
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Chris-Mouse (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:15am
    
    Re: Re:
    >>The Government may not be legally allowed to execute the guy
    
    >Um, yes, they are. It's called targeted killing.
    
    United States Bill of Rights, Amendment V
    
    No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
    
    The government cannot simply decide to kill someone without violating the constitution. Not that that seems to bother them very much these days.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:28am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      The US government seems to think that the Constitution and Bill of rights only apples to US citizens while they are on US soil. Any foreigners, and any US citizens in foreign countries are outside the protection of the these documents. This is one of the driving forces behind foreign opposition to the US, and a cause of terrorism against it, its sheer hypocrisy on human rights especially when ignoring them benefits US corporations.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - The Real Michael, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:39am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "The US government seems to think that the Constitution and Bill of rights only apples to US citizens while they are on US soil."
        
        Really? Explain the NSA.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Ninja (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:20am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        And Apple, don't forget the Bill of Rights apples to US citizens only!
        
        /GrammarNazi
        
        Also, agreed. The US couldn't care less about the Bill.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Vincent Clement (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 9:10am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "The US government seems to think that the Constitution and Bill of rights only apples to US citizens while they are on US soil."
        
        Actually, the US government doesn't seem to care much about the Constitution. Period. If it did, you wouldn't have CBP checkpoints 20 miles from the US-Mexico border and you wouldn't have CBP officials inspecting vehicles and asking for documentation when leaving the US.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        MondoGordo, 25 Jun 2013 @ 11:50am
        
        Constitution free zone
        Actually the Constitution Free Zone extends one hundred miles from the national borders not 20 almost half of the US population lives in the CFZ.
        http://simplefactsplainarguments.blogspot.com/2013/02/dhs-establishes-constitution-free-zones. html
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Monkey (profile), 27 Jun 2013 @ 12:24am
        
        Re: Constitution free zone
        and yet the 'constitution free zone' is IN AND OF ITSELF UnConstitutional...
        
        DHS
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Monkey (profile), 27 Jun 2013 @ 12:25am
        
        Re: Re: Constitution free zone
        gah ... html ate the last of my post:
        DHS ... Hypocrisy much? o_O
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:19am
    
    Re: Re:
    Legal == some words on paper,
    written by lobbyists,
    rubber stamped by elected officials,
    withheld from the general public.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:46am
  
  Re:
  But that would mean that Trump just revealed a top secret US government plan to the public! D:
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:48am
    
    Re: Re:
    A drone strike on Donald Trump would be a public service.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Gwiz (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:25am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      A drone strike on Donald Trump would be a public service.
      
      Probably wouldn't work. It would just bounce harmlessly off of his hair.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:21am
  
  Re:
  "But not being allowed by laws or the Constitution never stopped the US Govt as the leaks have shown quite clearly."
  
  Thanks to the Republican-initiated Patriot Act.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:35am
    
    Re: Re:
    Because the patriot act didn't have broad, bi-partisan support and everything didn't stay the same and or get worse once the democrats regained control...
    
    You are fucking nuts to think this is RvD issue where one party is 'better' than the other.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
miatajim (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 4:53am

He just thinking of the beauty contestants that might be asked the question, "Where is Snowden now?."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Ninja (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:33am
  
  Re:
  Newest Govt game it seems ;)
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Ninja (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:33am
    
    Re: Re:
    Fail linking? https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/bd41c5f4348f059be93ff7de17a3af0e/tumblr_mlwrg fCpfm1riljbgo1_1280.png
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 4:57am

Yeah - murder is one of the more ethical methods of dealing with the situation. Donald, what an ass.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:03am
  
  Re:
  I think it would be perfectly ethical for someone to take out Trump.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
techflaws (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 4:58am

Personally I think Donald Tump and his hair have done more damage to America('s reputation) than any whistleblower ever could.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:05am
  
  Re:
  And Trump actually has the power to see that action carried out. But I guess he just doesn't love his country enough.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Neal, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:01am

This shows that Trump doesn't think before he speaks
Trump hasn't bothered to stop and think about all the business deals he's been in on or the variety of people he's been in on them with. Without a doubt there's been both direct and indirect contact with people and organizations who have ties to terrorists. Without a doubt there's been varying degrees of immorality and illegality involved in some of those deals and most definitely a lot more that skirts those lines.

Does Trump really want the government having all those records on hands so that, some day when someone in power takes aim at a new person or threat, it can follow a trail back to him and accuse him of supporting terrorists?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Richard (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:01am
  
  Re: This shows that Trump doesn't think before he speaks
  A government that doesn't care about due process might well treat Trump the same way that the Russians have treated
  Khodorkovsky
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
PaulT (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:01am

"This guy is becoming a hero in some circles... there's still a thing called execution"

Yeah, if you have a dissident causing problems for you, the solution is state-sponsored summary execution! That will stop anyone from agreeing with what he did!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- 1% tippers, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:55am
  
  Re:
  He has made clear the position of the oligarchy on both welcoming the surveillance state and disregarding the constitution.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:03am

Breaking News
The Donald proposes new reality show where contestants are branded as spies and then terminated, literally.

It will be called "You're Terminated" and will feature a different weapon each week. Brought to you by the NRA and a bunch of other douche bags.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- yaga (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:38am
  
  Re: Breaking News
  Has the NRA said that Snowden should be executed or are you just trying to mix up a whole bunch of different issues that have no relevance to each other?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Rob, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:21am
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    There's a reason advertisers sponsor the things they sponsor. They play to the same demographic. Gotta know yer audience.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:49am
  
  Re: Breaking News
  oh wow Donald exercise his right to FREE SPEECH, you want to make sure you are all over that !!!!.. Can't have free speech or an opinion that differs from your own or there will be trouble right.. after all... you have a gun !!!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Howard (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:00am
    
    Troll
    You are one
    
    Barfing all over the place again
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:41am
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    Donald Trump, just like any American has the right to free speech (at least technically anyway), he can say what he wants, as long as it is not slander. We also have the same right to call him out for making such a ridiculous suggestion.
    
    Nonetheless, its been such a long time since the bill of rights (and its 1st amendment) actually meant something. There's no point to having a constitution if nobody abides it, or even knows what it says... the days when people actually cared are becoming a distant memory.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2013 @ 9:24am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Breaking News
      Yes he has the right to free speech but when you hint that if 'someone' murdered someone else they'd gain a financial reward from it....thats just a wee bit illegal.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:45am
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    No one is saying that he shouldn't be allowed to exercise the right to make dumb comments to the press. In fact we welcome his making of those dumb comments. It's just everyone else also has the right to call him on those dumb comments publicly when he makes them.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:15am
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    So are you saying we can't criticize people with stupid opinions because they have a right to free speech?
    
    Man Darryl...do you even try to think before you speak?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:48am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Breaking News
      He doesn't.
      
      Getting away with stupid opinions without criticism is his lifeblood.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 10:23am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Breaking News
        When has he gotten away with it? He gets called on it EVERY TIME and has nothing to come back with.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:32pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Breaking News
        I never said that he was even remotely successful at it.
        
        He's horrible at it.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:38am
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    Donald spouts off dangerous idiotic nonsense about summary executions - free speech.
    
    People mock him relentlessly for it - also free speech.
    
    I feel like your last line has to be a joke. It is right? I mean Donald is the one literally suggesting that we have guns so people like snowden should watch what they say so that has to be an intentionally humorous juxtaposition... right?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Rikuo (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 3:42pm
    
    Re: Re: Breaking News
    Okay, I'll exercise my right to free speech. You should be shot, not Snowden.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:05am

Why is Trumpy there not being prosecuted for advocating violence, terrorism and other charges?

The guy is clearly saying he want to solve issues by force.

Maybe the people should put a hit of the fucker.

What would happen to anybody who tried to raise money to "kill Trump Kickstarter" or "Trumps must die" campaign?

If he was hit by and IED I wouldn't care, you know there is always the IED option to deal with fuckers like that.

I fully expect my comment to raise concerns and if I ever get traced, I would be treated as a terrorist but D. fucker Trump apparently is above the law and can say that crap on live air with no consequences?

That shit ain't right, it isn't right at all.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
  
  Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:51am
  
  Re:
  yes, you cant have people running around willy nilie exercising their right to FREE SPEECH !!!.
  
  maybe you should just shoot him..
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:57am
    
    Re: Re:
    Ah, what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander, Darryl?
    
    Your colors are showing.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:08am
    
    Re: Re:
    Hey, guess what darryl?
    
    Australia dropped plans for snooping. Yeah, snooping like the NSA would have done!
    
    First George Orwell's works are in the Australian public domain, and now this. Infuriates you to live in a country of filthy thieving freetards, doesn't it?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:39am
    
    Re: Re:
    Woosh.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- John Fenderson (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 4:20pm
  
  Re:
  Why is Trumpy there not being prosecuted for advocating violence, terrorism and other charges?
  
  It isn't actually illegal to advocate violence, etc. as such. You can advocate violence in such a way that it becomes illegal (assault, starting a riot, etc.), but the context is critical.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:23am

You guys should execute Trump for bringing shame to your nation while you're at it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:24am

So, would Trump be fine with the same treatment for him?
So, would Trump be okay with the same treatment for him as a suspected criminal? If say people started to accuse him and his company of committing massive amounts of fraud that cost tax payers millions of dollars?

Sure we COULD try to get Trump arrested for alleged fraud, but Trump with all his millions could drag a trial out for years with all the lawyers he'd hire. It would be much easier and quicker to avenge the people he defrauded if we executed him with an armed drone, regardless of if he's in America or some foreign country on a supposed 'business' trip.

I'm sure Trump would have no problem with that once so ever! After all, if due process isn't for Snowden why should it be for anyone else?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:31am

Oh now we know where all that good advice the White House has been taking is coming from, is just Dr. Donald Strange Trump advices.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
mariush (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:42am

It's not the first time Trump called for some people to be killed.

In 1989 he financed a full page ad in a newspaper calling for death sentence for 5 kids who supposedly raped a woman in a park.
Turned out they were innocent...

Here's an article about it:

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/01/nyregion/angered-by-attack-trump-urges-return-of-the-death-pen alty.html

http://thegrio.com/2013/04/23/donald-trump-tweets-then-deletes-what-were-central-park-f ive-doing-in-the-park/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:47am

sounds just like the sort of person people would want in charge of the country, eh?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Zakida Paul (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 5:56am

I hope this is a joke like Jeremy Clarkson's 'joke' about shooting public sector strikers. If not, Trump can go do one.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
DannyB (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:08am

It is sad for our country
It's truly sad that the prior election didn't give us a president with Trump's decisive instant harsh, rash and irreversible knee jerk reactions.

It is a gift to instantly deduce or intuit all of the facts and to instantly know the answer to everything and to instantly act accordingly.

That is a man I would trust with a big red button. To facilitate access, they should get rid of that football, and launch protocols and just give Trump a remote he can carry in his pocket. (It would be important that the remote has a large "Trump" label on it.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Niall (profile), 26 Jun 2013 @ 5:49am
  
  Re: It is sad for our country
  Then when he goes "you're fired", he means the whole world...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:24am

Well, there's a reason Patrick Bateman likes the guy ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bengie, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:27am

Trumped
Seems as if Trump is supporting the anti-USA terrorist organization known as NSA.

The USA is its Constitution. Any government organization that tries to skirt our basic rights is committing treason. No Exceptions.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
beech, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:28am

Of course trump is happy with where the country is. He has made millions off of the status quo, therefore any threat to the status quo must be eliminated.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 6:48am

As for "not having a country any longer," does this mean Trump is happy with the status quo? The country we have currently is the country we want?

What kind of out of the blue assumption is that, do you feel because you do, that ALL AMERICANS ARE NOT HAPPY, or at least accepting of how your country is run ?

I doubt everyone is 100% happy all the time, and some are unhappy most of the time, but to make a claim that Trump is "happy with the status quo" or NOT happy with some particular things.. Is just stupid, overreaching tripe..

Just what we expect from Masnick and his ilk.

We hardly have a "country" as it is -- at least not one that would be easily recognized by the founding fathers.

that's your opinion Tim !!! it might be true it would not be easily recognized by the founding fathers, after all they lived at a different time than us, but even in their day there was spying, terrorists and knowing "things change" the founding fathers in their wisdom created the Supreme Court, to do that recognition for them.

So NSA as phone companies for your phone bill, and you feel that gives you cause to state We hardly have a "country" as it is

What a freaking joke..

But well done for keeping Snowman in the news and not his message, (whatever that was!!!)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:05am
  
  Re:
  Allow me to remind you: The message is that the USA is doing a lot more than its citizens would like, in the name of national security, which is not what anyone asked for.
  
  the government is making it about the messenger and not the message. and apparently, you are trying to do the same exact thing..
  
  your colors keep showing, darryl.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Lowestofthekeys (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:11am
  
  Re:
  "But well done for keeping Snowman in the news and not his message"
  
  You're obviously not concerned about it.
  
  Though if I remember correctly, you're willing to accept a subpar government.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:42am
  
  Re:
  Because leaks like this are totally the existential threat to the nation that Donald et al have suggested they are right?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- John Fenderson (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 9:23am
  
  Re:
  What kind of out of the blue assumption is that, do you feel because you do, that ALL AMERICANS ARE NOT HAPPY, or at least accepting of how your country is run ?
  
  Every poll is showing that most Americans are not happy with the direction the country is taking, so Tim is on solid ground here.
  
  knowing "things change" the founding fathers in their wisdom created the Supreme Court, to do that recognition for them.
  
  That's not the role of the Supreme Court at all. The issue of changing circumstances is addressed with the process to amend the Constitution.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
ReallyEvilCanine, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:06am

You're not helping matters, Tim
Because you felt compelled to write about that idiot, too, he's getting even more attention. Good job, Slick.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:12am
  
  Re: You're not helping matters, Tim
  And you're adding comments to the article, which will only boost it's rating on Google.
  
  *slow clap for you*
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
DiFiasco, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:29am

On that logic, how about just killing Donald Trump?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
jupiterkansas (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:50am

Why does anyone listen to that ass?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:00am
  
  Re:
  Yes, don't feed an IRL troll like Trump. He's one of those guys who truly believes that any attention is good attention, and uses it as a platform.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 8:09am

Killing him won't destroy the information about USA spying on every country.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Vincent Clement (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 9:17am

I'm amused by the people saying that Snowden is a traitor and should be executed. I'm fairly certain that is exactly the same thing the British thought about the 'Founding Fathers'. It was okay for those guys to fight against British tyranny but not okay for Snowden to show the true nature of your government.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- MondoGordo, 25 Jun 2013 @ 11:01am
  
  just to play devils advocate ...
  Yes but the founding fathers didn't run to France to avoid the repercussions of their actions ...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - wthoutadbt (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 11:10am
    
    Re: just to play devils advocate ...
    You actually think Snowden would receive a fair trial in the U.S.? I think he's done all of us a big favor by staying out of their cross hairs. And I firmly believe that Snowden wouldn't even be alive to make it to trial. Someone would definitely see to that.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - MondoGordo, 25 Jun 2013 @ 11:37am
      
      Re: Re: just to play devils advocate ...
      No ... I don't. The very suggestion that he would face trial at all for performing a public service is ludicrous; the fact that he would most definitely be prosecuted is a travesty.
      
      What I am saying is that he falls short of hero.
      A hero stands, he does not run.
      
      And if the hero falls to tyranny it's our responsibility to ensure that the tree of liberty does not wither ....
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - wthoutadbt (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 11:59am
        
        Re: Re: Re: just to play devils advocate ...
        Actually I think it's the other way around, the tyrants are firmly entrenched in Washington, D.C.
        
        Up until someone can convince me, show me without a shadow of a doubt, that Snowden committed an unpardonable and heinous act, what he has just uncovered) in my book, is an act of patriotism and heroism and it took a hell of a lot of courage to do it.
        
        I refer you to: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-23/u-s-surveillance-is-not-aimed-at-terrorists.html
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - John Fenderson (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 1:03pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: just to play devils advocate ...
        A hero stands, he does not run.
        
        A hero runs when running is the best way to further his goals. I don't know if this was Snowden's calculus or not, but as soon as he's in the hands of the US authorities, then all of the attention will be focused on him, the messenger, and away from the real problems that he revealed.
        
        It would accomplish the exact opposite of what he said he wants to accomplish. Therefore running is the right thing to do.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - JMT (profile), 26 Jun 2013 @ 4:27am
        
        Re: Re: Re: just to play devils advocate ...
        "A hero stands, he does not run. "
        
        A stupid hero stands and takes a fall for no good reason.
        A smart hero gets the hell out of town.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - jupiterkansas (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 12:14pm
    
    Re: just to play devils advocate ...
    Wasn't our ambassador to France a founding father?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - jupiterkansas (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 12:15pm
    
    Re: just to play devils advocate ...
    Wasn't our ambassador to France Benjamin Franklin a founding father?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 2:16pm
  
  Re:
  Determination of treason is tricky, it depends on who wins as to who committed treason.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 9:22am

like all those with power and wealth, he just gets gob in motion before brain is engaged! he didn't like when the Scots blew him out from building his golf course and thinks that only the highest thought of people should give opinions. maybe if he was on the receiving end of similar ridiculous statements he would feel a bit different!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
gorehound (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 9:51am

Snowden is a Hero ! Trump is the Scumbag who should be aaaaaaaaaaah............."put down to pasture" .
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bergman (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 10:13am

Under North Korean law, Trump himself would be a criminal. I wonder if he would be so keen on extra-judicial assassinations of criminals were the North Koreans to indict him in absentia?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 10:26am

I am sorry for joking about it in an earlier threat. I honestly thought there was a limit to stupidity. Somehow, the hair seems more intelligent than the man.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
wthoutadbt (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 10:56am

I Used to Like Donald Trump
Thanks for your website and a well-written article. During the Cold War and before, no one questioned their government, government could do no wrong, wave the flag, don't question, just accept what they tell you, etc. But today, something has changed. We have people who are siding with Snowden (as opposed to the government) and concluding that what he did was right. Why would this be so? I can't put my finger on it but I believe a new awareness, an awakening is taking place. The shackles and blinders are falling of. The putrid, stinking slime that are government deception and lies that have been ongoing for years are finally being exposed. People are taking sides and the numbers are frightening especially when they conflict with the lame excuses coming from the government regarding why this massive spy program PRISM was created in the first place. I used to like Donald Trump and respected him. But after the remarks he made regarding Snowden, no more. What drove Snowden to release this information in the first place? How was he able to access it? Did he have any idea how much peril he would be putting himself in? And what other data does he still have that has not been made public? These are still questions that beg answers but at the present time, I believe Snowden is someone to be heralded as coming forward, exposing the most massive spying operation on the American people ever. Then they say that it is all for our benefit as it was put into place, after 9-11, to catch terrorists. Okay, then, answer this question...How is it that we will not secure and protect our southern border? The Constitution mandates that our borders be secured by our military, in order to protect the American people. We have Mexican drug cartels in bed with Hezbollah who are freely traveling back and forth. And the government continues to look the other way. Instead, they paint the ones raising the alarm as the bad guy and ignore the real enemy right in our own backyard. And how can we call ourselves free men and women when we learn about what's been going on behind our backs, by our own government? Time to take the country back.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
wthoutadbt (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 12:27pm

Yes. Benjamin Franklin was the only one to sign all four documents that created our Republic: The Declaration of Independence (1776); The Treaty of Alliance, Amity and Commerce with France (1778); The Treaty of Peace between England, France and the United States (1782); and the Constitution (1787); he also wrote parts of the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stephan (profile), 25 Jun 2013 @ 2:57pm

Well, people like trump were sooner or later beheaded or poisoned in the good old days. Maybe we should get back to that standard as well, hm?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 25 Jun 2013 @ 7:35pm

"Snowden isn't a "spy" and hasn't been charged with treason"
I think you midded the word "yet" at the end of that.
The wording they've been using is "Aiding enemies of the USA", this wording is a direct reference to the charge of treason, so they may be keeping their options open.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2013 @ 9:18am

Isn't threatening to have people murdered slightly illegal in the US?

This means that Donald Trump should be arrested then bailed, and if (I hope not) something happens to Snowden, then Trump would be a suspect in possible paying someone to have him assassinated.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
wthoutadbt (profile), 26 Jun 2013 @ 10:55am

Trumped Up
Has anyone even figured out what to charge Snowden with?
How can you charge someone with a crime when we don't even know what crime he committed other than to let us all in on a massive government spying program that they've kept under the radar for years?
Have you heard anyone in the media speak out, on behalf of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, that the NSA trampled all over?
We're all focusing on Snowden and forgetting the government just overstepped its bounds, on a massive scale.
This should be the real story.
-------------------------------
The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. It was adopted as a response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, which is a type of general search warrant, in the American Revolution. Search and seizure (including arrest) should be limited in scope according to specific information supplied to the issuing court, usually by a law enforcement officer, who has sworn by it. The Fourth Amendment applies to the states by way of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Contents
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
hopponit (profile), 29 Jun 2013 @ 7:20pm

trump
Thrump would be okay with a drone attack on Snowden. That might take the sights of him. He has to worry about the target circle tattooed on top of his head, didn't you know that's why he wears a dead badger on top of his head?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Jul 2013 @ 11:05pm

one would assume that with all the information snowden is sitting on that he would have created a dead mans drop, ie if he dies all the damning evidence would be released. it would be the only logical thing to do to ensure he wasnt assassinated.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]