Snowdon is a dummy

You already mentioned that.

Spying is a crime here also, Walter. And people who have been caught here spying have been prosecuted...some convicted have served long prison terms and some have been executed.

So...bring on the charges. Bring on the prosecutions.

I thought so.

Just wanted to be sure.

Alzheimer is a bitch.

I'll take your word for it. I imagine early onset is particularly bitchy.

As far as I know, exactly that's the problem:
a) the USA is an ally,
b) they don't let the prosecution/police enter the embassy and military facilities,
thus
c) it isn't to expect that an US-citizen will testify at the special parliamentary's meeting ...

Don't you remember how it was?

Ummm...I did mention, did I not, that laws like this are absurd.

This is one of the reasons I consider them to be absurd.

I think, Walter, we all have got to come to grips with the fact that our technological advancements have made prying...much, much easier. Keeping secrets soon will become a thing of the past.

Right now, each country should do as much as they can to keep secret what they want to keep secret (including prosecuting people charged with serious crimes of unauthorized revelation)...and see where things go.

MY GUESS: The ability to detect and uncover secrets will always win out.

Frank: If you want to consider that "spying"...do so. But since English is a second language for you, I suggest you get someone to help you with the issue.

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Cheap shot from Frank, the language boob.

I remember all sorts of things, Olivier. My mind is pretty keen for a guy 77. I do the most difficult crosswords I can find; I do Killer Sudokus; I do the Rubik's Cube...and I do these things ever day. I never miss Jeopardy!...and often get answers missed by all three contestants. I exercise; keep up with current events; and engage in lively debate and discussion with friends here in non-cyber life...and on the Internet every day.

Not sure what condition you will be in when you are my age, but if you stop being as cranky...and as willing to be lead around in senseless banter as you are...you may end up as lucky as I.

Oops. Forgot to add that I do not think Snowden is a dummy...just misguided.

Hope he gets a fair trial to clear his name.

That's great. I just hope you could remember what you have said yesterday and the day before that, and the day before. Could save you a lot of useless reposts...

I remember, Olivier.

And you realize I remember.

But you are addicted to allowing me to lead you around like a puppet. That is why you come into these things the way you do...as you did here with that silly challenge of what I had written.

It was clear...and made sense. But you want so much to mock me...and so you take the shot.

And I keep leading you to make a fool of yourself.

It certainly is fun for me.

I can't see why you engage in it so often. It doesn't seem like much fun for you.

Snowden, in my opinion, is no dummy.

I am beginning to wonder about you, though, Olivier.

Did you manage to spend a few days without insulting anyone, by the way? How did that feel?

Most of the time I am not insulting anyone, Olivier.

I am not interested in the petty nonsense that seems to be such a big part of A2K. Even with you, I would rather have a cyber-friendship develop...rather than this constant sniping that YOU initiate so often.

There are interesting things to discuss...matters that are complex and nuanced to the point where very differing opinions can exist.

The topic at hand (one you seldom address) is a case in point. Some people y think Snowden is a traitor. (He is being charged under the Espionage Act...but I think that is almost an accident of laws meant to keep classified documents safe.)

I honestly do not see him as a traitor...not even considering the implications of the charges against him.

Some people consider him a hero! That baffles me...he is so far from being heroic, in my opinion, that suggestions in that direction appall me.

But I am willing to acknowledge that some people feel that way...and to discuss the issue.

You seem to want to scorn, Olivier...not to discuss...at least not here.

I will acknowledge that your comments over in the "Atheist" thread, by the way, are some of the best in that thread...although the atheists have made it abundantly clear that they do not want non-atheists there, so except for minor exceptions, I stay away. I do follow it very closely...and your comments really do stand out in my opinion.

My question to you would be: Why all this petty nonsense with me? What is the basis for you hostility?

By the way, I think some deference ought be paid to each thread's subject during a post...even if in passing. It is the right thing to do. So I am trying to include a comment germane to the topic in each post.

I do not think Snowden is a dummy. I think he may have violated some significant laws...and I want to see him get a fair trial in an attempt to clear his name.

Thanks to Putin, the EU and the US are now friends again ...

He is doing his part, I will acknowledge that.

We all...Russia, the EU, Great Britain, China, the third world...EVERYONE...had better learn to get along.

It is one thing to have constant squabbling in a playground with kindergarteners; it is quite another when the squabbling is between nations with the kinds of capacities now available.

We may have one more great war left in us before we learn the lesson...but it would be much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much better if we learn it without that aid!


By the way: I think Putin is a pretty capable leader. Do you have any thoughts on that?

The UK is still an EU-member state, since 11973 ...

Yes. And "yes".