snowden and putin

[exploited]

Incorrect. You are simply reducing everything to a principle and going "Well in principle they are the same, therefore..."

That is actually the less intelligent position.

In principle, killing a human being is just killing another animal, specifically a mammal, that is capable of having conscience desires of its own. Should killing a dolphin and killing a person therefore be considered equal crimes?

In reality, nobody would argue that killing a dolphin should be punished the same as killing a person. And if they did, they'd immediately be recognized as stupid.

Similarly, in principle, what Bundy did and what Snowden did are the same. In reality, they spawn from a completely different set of circumstances, were motivated by very different ideas, and had very different consequences.

[Philly]

[exploited]

Sure, they should face consequences. Snowden should be charged and convicted in absentia, and Obama should immediately pardon him for his crimes, and welcome him back to the United States. Whereas Bundy should have his assets seized to pay back his debt, and face jail-time if he fails to cooperate.

These consequences are arrived at not by analyzing the principle behind each situation, but the specifics.

[Indy]

[Philly]

[uebermann]

I think its a crock of shit to say that Russia doesn't have some level of surveillance of its citizens (or even other countries) going on, but I don't find it very hard to believe that it was nowhere near the scale the US is/was doing. Russia has other goals and interests going on at the moment.

I wouldn't believe much coming out of Putin's mouth, regardless. The man was ex-KGB and they pretty much perfected the art of lying.

[Indy]

[uebermann]

Stay on topic and cut the insults. -u

[exploited]

[Philly]