Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden wants to come back home to the United States, but U.S. officials said the fugitive whistleblower would have to stand trial for leaking details about the NSA’s secret mass surveillance programs, Reuters reported. “I won’t keep it secret that he … wants to return back home. And we are…
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Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.
Carla Akins March 4th, 2015 at 08:38
And people in hell want icewater…
NW10 March 4th, 2015 at 09:09
Kissing Putin’s ass isn’t as delightful as you thought is it Mr. Snowden?
AmusedAmused March 4th, 2015 at 12:27
As the fate of some of the Cambridge Five exemplifies, Russian authorities tend to treat Western defectors pretty shabbility once their usefulness is all used up. Then again, Lokshin has made out allright — maybe because he’s a true believer.
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 23:07
Previously I posted here the sort of miserable lives that Philby, Maclean and Burgess had after they defected (the other two members of the Five, Cairncross and Blunt did not defect and neither was tried. Cairncross was pressured into resigning from a job at the treasury and got a teaching job in the US).
I also included in the post the lives led there by the other defectors I could find, about 10 in all. Once they were milked of all the intelligence they had to offer, they were cast aside and lived pretty miserable lives. They typically sank into alcoholism and died after being there 10-12 years.
I recall one of them, a guy who worked at the NSA who was one of a pair who defected in the early 60s tried to come back. He approached a U.S. diplomat about it and was given the stiff-arm.
AmusedAmused March 5th, 2015 at 09:20
I thought it would have been amusing, if it weren’t so sad, how Philby thought they were gonna make him a colonel in the KGB or something. Instead they didn’t even let him in the building. And put him under permanent surveillance. I think worse than being cast aside, combined with the dreary reality of Russian life, was these people knowing that their every move was being watched and cataloged; all their letters opened and read; all their phone conversations recorded; and KGB goons always knew the contents of their fridge and their book shelf, and the pattern on their undies. Seems to me, if you’re gonna be in prison anyway, it’s better to do the time at home.
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 01:27
* Donald Maclean died after alcoholism rotted out his guts (and he got to have his pal Philby steal his wife).
* Anthony Burgess hung on for about 12 years but likewise died of alcoholism.
* George Blake’s easygoing nature was said to have made the change to trying to live in the USSR easier, but his treachery ate at him and he lived a life full of regret until his demise.
* Former NSA cryptologist Bernon Mitchell was the one who hated it so much he wanted to come home, even if it meant being tried for treason. His request to a State Department official to come back was turned down.
* I haven’t found the fate of Mitchell’s lover and fellow defector, NSA cryptologist William Martin, but both discovered to their dismay that homophobia was worse in the USSR than in the U.S. and had miserable existences.
* Edward Lee Howard tried to get along with a consulting business, but became an alcoholic and died in 2002 after allegedly falling down in his home.
*
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 01:28
“And so, early in 1972, I found myself heading to the apartment of Harold Adrian Russell “Kim” Philby, a living legend in the espionage world. I had read reports and heard rumors about Philby’s life in Moscow – his drinking, womanizing, bouts of depression and squalid existence. Driving to his flat, located on Yuzhinsky Pereyulok, just off Gorky Street in the very center of Moscow, I had butterflies in my stomach, not knowing what to expect. I entered the faded, pre-Revolutionary building and was assaulted by the smell of urine. A dark, rickety elevator haltingly carried me up seven floors. I got out, walked up one flight of stairs to the top floor, and rang the buzzer next toPhilby’s reinforced steel door. Nothing had prepared me for what I was about to see.
Someone fumbled with the lock. The door opened, and I stepped inside. There, in the twilight entrance hall, was a wreck of a man. The bent figure caromed off the walls as he walked. Reeking of vodka, he mumbled something unintelligible to me in atrocious, slurred Russian.
Hunched over me was one of the great spies of the twentieth century. Philby, along with four Cambridge University classmates, had decided in the 1930s to devote his life to the Communist cause, and he concluded that he could best serve it by becoming a Soviet spy. Philby and his cohorts infiltrated the British Army, the Foreign Ministry, and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), where, for more than a decade, they passed along invaluable information to the Soviet Union and exposed scores of agents within the USSR. …
[135] Many KGB officials remained – idiotically and utterly without proof – suspicious of Philby. I had readPhilby’s file before visiting him, and discovered an analysis by one intelligence officer who argued that Philbywas actually a British double agent seeking to misinform the Soviet Union. …
By the time I ascended the stairs to Philby’s rundown apartment, the famed spy, who had risked his life to serve what he believed was a noble Communist cause, had been driven half-mad by the paranoia and idiocy of the KGB. No doubt he also was driven to despair as he saw the cause to which he had devoted his life transformed into the shabby reality of modern-day Soviet life. … It was a miracle he was still alive.
As the gray-haired, puffy-faced, but still handsome, legend stood swaying in the hallway, a wave of pity swept over me. And then, realizing I was from the KGB, Philby began wildly cursing the secret police, the Soviet government, and the world at large.”
– former KGB officer Oleg Kalugin, “The First Directorate,” (St. Martin’s press, 1994), page 133, 135.
William March 4th, 2015 at 09:37
I’m sure the GOP will welcome him home with open arms. I bet they’ll let him address congress. After all the GOP and Snowden have much in common
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 10:06
What’s the matter, Snowy? Are you as affected by the sanction as the locals there and you can’t handle it anymore? Or was the recent assassination of Putin’s opposition leader worries you now? Have you run out of secret information to hand over to the russkies and they are de-friending you now, which means you finally reached your Use By Date? Why don’t you try Iraq or Syria, ISIS needs IT savvy guys like you.
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 11:41
dumbest thing you have ever written.
ben March 4th, 2015 at 12:42
agreed.
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 13:43
Please give us your opinion to show how smart you are.
AmusedAmused March 4th, 2015 at 10:06
I just can’t understand why he isn’t happy in Russia, that undisputed bastion on human rights, freedom and transparency.
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 11:40
ever been there?
AmusedAmused March 4th, 2015 at 11:58
I was born there, and lived there until the age of 12. I still have acquaintances and relatives there. And I am fluent in Russian. Satisfied?
ben March 4th, 2015 at 12:41
Putin literally kill’s or throws his critics in Jail, i’d say for a man who values transparency it’s not the most ideal place.
AmusedAmused March 4th, 2015 at 13:29
Don’t forget, they also torture people to death in an oubliette (for uncovering government corruption) and then put them on trial after they are dead (to exonerate the implicated government officials). See Sergey Magnitsky’s literal Cadaver Synod. To the regime’s credit, however, the judge in Magnitsky’s trial ruled against incarcerating his corpse, which conclusively proves that Russia is a shining example of human rights, kaythanxbi.
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 13:39
I don’t think they get your points nor appreciate your facts. You answered them well and you put them at the end.
ben March 4th, 2015 at 13:46
your English is so bad, i can’t understand your point. Are you saying Russia is a shining example of human rights?
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 13:55
I believe it’s sarcasm.
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 13:59
what the hell is your problem, oh I see a troll from baggervile
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 04:03
He said Snowden didn’t steal anything.
On one hand, it could be fun toying with this guy, at least for a little while.
On the other hand, it may be difficult to not be cruel while doing so….
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 12:50
just a neighbor but otherwise, all the same irrelevant history that you have.
AmusedAmused March 4th, 2015 at 13:25
My history is irrelevant? I beg to differ. That said, as I suspected, there was no way that I could have answered that question in a way that you would find satisfactory. If I said no, I’ve never been there, you’d say I’m the typical ignorant American spouting right-wing propaganda. Since I answered yes, I am actually Russian, and I lived there — why, then, my experience and upbringing are “irrelevant”. And had I said that I am Russian FROM there, and have lived there all my life, you’d say I’m one of Putin’s enemies, and therefore biased. Amirite?
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 03:51
It seems the point being made is that someone who lives near Russia knows more about Russia than a Russian…..
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 13:29
Why don’t you give a proper answer?
ben March 4th, 2015 at 13:48
i’m not sure an opinion section of an article warrants qualifications.
jybarz March 4th, 2015 at 16:23
I’m sure she doesn’t mean academic qualifications. I think it’s about time for you to get it. Gawd!
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 13:57
you are wrong on this Fahvel and owe her an apology, she has far better knowledge and experience then you will ever have and you chose to go snark and dismissive
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 17:06
T , when you live on this very old continent, speak. But until then consider yourself wrong – there’s no snark (what is snark?) and never anything dismissive.
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 17:23
you are wrong, by your own comment since you do not live here you have no business speaking about MY country, untill you have lived here as long as me do not speak.
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 03:45
Even if an apology is not forthcoming, it was pretty funny to read:
fahvel: “Ever been there?”
AmusedAmused: “I was born there, and lived there until the age of 12. …”
fahvel: “… I am a close neighbor to russia …”
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 16:52
far too sensative A. I am a close neighbor to russia and am prbably older than you. I was not diminishing your heritage, just commenting that we all have a serious history that americans don’t really understand. Your background and mine are very similar. Although my family was not quasi aristocratic – just a small minority who had to run like hell to get out of russia – pre soviet – just to have my dad who made me with mom. I hope you enjoy the absurdity of the right wing of the usa (irony). But do have a fine life.
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 13:56
she was being sarcastic
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 22:51
It’s the worker’s paradise!
Boehner-Monkey March 5th, 2015 at 07:59
I hear the pot in Russia sucks.
illinoisboy1977 March 4th, 2015 at 11:22
I have no problem with him exposing the NSA’s spying on American citizens. However, to expose surveillance operations against Angela Merkel is an act of espionage. She’s the leader of a foreign power and a viable intelligence target, regardless of our “official” relationship with her country. Snowden went too far, by releasing information on foreign intelligence-gathering operations. He should be tried on those indiscretions, at least.
fahvel March 4th, 2015 at 11:40
why?
illinoisboy1977 March 4th, 2015 at 11:57
Are you asking why he should be prosecuted? The answer is clear. He exposed our intelligence operations against a foreign target. A completely acceptable and lawful use of our intelligence gathering apparatus. He lumped our surveillance of Angela Merkel, in with the government spying on citizens. They are very different situations and not comparable in any meaningful way, under the law.
ben March 4th, 2015 at 12:36
Actually she was an “Asset” according to the Documents not a target. Also she is not just a foreign target shes the head of the EU,and to say it isn’t comparable is absurd, if the head of the EU doesn’t have the right to privacy why do you think you do? Also this isn’t just about the US there is a whole world out there that deserves the same right to privacy you do. It was a necessary statement to show the extent to which they are breaking the Law. The US has as much of a right to spy on the head of the EU and they do to spy on you. The collection of Data is the most classic form of control in the history it has no place in the USA and directly challenges the principle of liberty for not just US citizens but the entire world. Also the law “the espionage act” dates back to the 1930’s, the Law is out of date and would essential condemn the man to life in jail, the idea that he would get a just trial is absurd because the law itself is unjust. If he comes back here under the current Laws he would be sentenced to 10 years for every piece of information he released.
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 22:50
It doesn’t matter. Neither I, nor you, nor Snowden has the authority to declassify classified information.
Please justify the allegation he stole tasking orders for our intelligence agencies that exposed our priorities, strengths, vulnerabilities, capabilities and intentions to the red Chinese and the Russians.
Then let us know why it is a good thing to steal intelligence we have on al Qaeda, including that which would allow them to evade our surveillance efforts against them; or details of our efforts to counter IEDs so they could blow up more Americans.
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 23:35
Good grief.
Just about all spying is illegal in the country we are spying in. Spies by definition break the laws of the countries they are spying in.
That’s why it has to be kept secret, otherwise spies get sent to prison or experience the fate of Adolf Tolkachev, for example.
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 22:31
The domestic spying was just a small percentage of what Snowden is alleged to have stolen.
Among the things he is alleged to have stolen are tasking orders for our intelligence services that would inform an adversary what priorities we will have for intelligence collection over the next 5 years or so. It gives them our game plans and informs them of our blind spots, weaknesses, strengths, capabilities and intentions. These are not the kind of things that can just be changed once they get out.
If reports are true, Snowden took a gold mine of intelligence to communist red China and Russia and deserves to have his day in court to answer the charges and to defend himself.
EDDIE, COME HOME!
ben March 5th, 2015 at 10:34
He didn’t steal anything, he had accesses to information, that the government gave him. He then saw different things that where going on that broke the law and exposed it to America the people he signed up to protect.
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 03:55
If he didn’t steal anything there can be no evidence against him and he can come on home!
EDDIE, COME HOME, BEN SAYS THE COAST IS CLEAR!
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 13:56
He should be tried for his crimes, no conditions, period. He could have handled this much better by releasing then not running to china then russia, he lives a coddled life no job but plenty of money to visit museums and whine.
ben March 4th, 2015 at 16:57
The collection of Data is the most classic form of control in the history it has no place in the USA and directly challenges the principle of liberty for not just US citizens but the entire world. Also the law “the espionage act” dates back to the 1930’s, the Law is out of date and would essential condemn the man to life in jail, the idea that he would get a just trial is absurd because the law itself is unjust. If he comes back here under the current Laws he would be sentenced to 10 years for every piece of information he released.
ben March 4th, 2015 at 16:58
Also if it’s a crime to let the public know that there 3rd Amendment is being broken, then this in no longer America it’s something else.
arc99 March 4th, 2015 at 17:13
educate us. what does Edward Snowden have to do with the 3rd amendment?
ben March 5th, 2015 at 10:32
are you serious? The right to privacy!
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 04:33
3rd Amendment:
“No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
I, for one, am glad that Snowden told us about all those soldiers being quartered in private homes in America, without the consent of the homeowners….
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 17:24
Good!
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 22:24
The “collection of data” by Amadeo Sabatini, Jones Orin York, William Weisband, William Perl, Victor Perlo, Michael K. Cham, Joseph & Leona Franey, Loren Haas, Alexander Petroff, William Pinsly, William Plourde, Harold Smelzer, Gregory Silvermaster and unidentified agents referred to by the cover names BROTHER, THOMAS, BUGLE, SPLINT and EMULSION led to the deaths of many American pilots during the Korean War.
Those I named collected information on American aircraft technology during the 40s and gave it to the Soviets. At the beginning of the war, Soviet MiG-15s outclassed the fighter planes we had there, and we only got air superiority after we rushed the new F-86 over there, and even then it was more due to better pilots than superior planes that we finally achieved any success.
If it is true that Snowden stole what he is alleged to have stolen, then a life sentence in prison would be appropriate.
It is insane to think we should let the whole world know our secrets, especially when it leads to the deaths of Americans at the hands of people not very interested in the sort of liberty you imagine comes from it.
ben March 5th, 2015 at 10:30
It’s funny that you say “Our Secrets” because in no way shape of form are they yours there the governments. If he hadn’t betrayed the Government (not America), we wouldn’t know an essential civil liberty is being taken from us. Our Liberty is what keeps us safe, not our secrets. It’s also what men throughout our history have died for.
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 01:57
I used the word “our” correctly. This is my country and my government.
Ever heard the phrase “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”?
You are responding to a post where I showed how espionage got Americans killed. Those who survived being shot down suffered torture in North Korean prison camps.
Would you mind addressing the point I made, rather than sliding aside to make a meaningless, pedantic argument that fails to address what I posted?
You are wrong in stating that Snowden was some sort of icebreaker when it comes to sureveillance by the NSA. Snowden selectively leaked some information we didn’t have before, but it had been an issue before he defected.
How willing are you to discuss the other documents Snowden stole? After all, it has been reported that over 90% of them have nothing to do with domestic surveillance.
Are you aware of Glenn Greenwald’s description of them?
tracey marie March 4th, 2015 at 22:50
Good!
burqa March 7th, 2015 at 02:25
“Gentlemen do not read other gentlemen’s mail,” eh?
So said Republican Henry Stimpson when he shut down the government’s codebreaking in the 20s.
During World War II Secretary of War Stimpson was fine with our codebreaking efforts, much of which passed across his desk. Do you think we should not have worked to break German and Japanese ciphers, and do you think our efforts should have been kept secret?
Espionage has always been a crime. Had Snowden been caught during the American Revolution doing the same thing George Washington likely would have had him hung.
By the way, the Espionage Act was passed in 1917.
burqa March 4th, 2015 at 22:09
Well come on home, then!
Please.