Germany's Greens say Snowden should get safe haven in Europe

[temmer]

Source: Reuters


BERLIN (Reuters) - The leader of Germany's opposition Greens suggested on Monday that Europe provide a safe haven for former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, whose revelations about the extent of U.S. surveillance programs have infuriated America's allies.

Juergen Trittin, parliamentary leader and candidate for chancellor of the Greens, Germany's third biggest party, told German television it was an outrage that the 30-year-old former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor should be seeking asylum in "despotic" countries.

"It's painful for democrats that someone who has served democracy and, in our view, uncovered a massive violation of basic rights, should have to seek refuge with despots who have problems with basic rights themselves," said Trittin.

"Someone like that should be protected," he said. "That counts for Mr Snowden. He should get safe haven here in Europe because he has done us a service by revealing a massive attack on European citizens and companies. Germany, as part of Europe, could do that."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/germanys-greens-snowden-safe-haven-europe-080014894.html

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German media pressure on Merkel to tell off Obama has rapidly increased during the last two days. Never seen such disrespectful behavior towards the big trans-atlantic brother.

Just look here: http://www.spiegel.de/

[Summer Hathaway]

1. I must say I admire

your enthusiasm in bringing this news to all and sundry.

[temmer]

2. the news is not always comfortable to all and sundry

and there is no enthusiasm on my side. Just a little bit hope that things change.

[Summer Hathaway]

3. Uh-huh, yeah

I'm sure.

[cantbeserious]

4. Thank You For Sharing

eom

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. knr

Edward Snowden is a modern day Paul Revere with a thumb drive full of the news that Tyranny is coming!

[flamingdem]

12. Paul Reveresky rides to a new life in civil liberties paragon Russia!

[liberalgunwilltravel]

6. My prediction

I predict that this whole flap, as wrong as the data gathering is, is going to die quickly. If it is true that the U.S. has been very efficient in spying on it's "allies" it is then also very knowledgeable of the domestic spying of each of the EU member states on their own populations. This will be clearly articulated, behind closed doors, and the EU leaders will go quietly into the night. However, it remains to be seen if the EU populous will follow that lead.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Never seen such disrespectful behavior towards the big trans-atlantic brother ?

Forget the sarcasm thingy did you ?

[Hubert Flottz]

8. Germany knows another Reich when they see one...

The only thing missing here are the fancy military uniforms.

[truth2power]

9. Tell it, Herbert!! n/t

[truth2power]

10. I can see it now...

Snowden ends up somewhere in Europe, trying to live a normal life. The CIA, of course, knows his whereabouts.

Eventually, Obama, vexed to distraction, takes him out with a drone which, in the process, kills a half-dozen or so British/French/German women and children. The US claims it was an accident, er....collateral damage, and the sh*t hits the fan.

Yes, this is some sort of twisted farce. But then, isn't that true of much of what the US is trying to foist on its citizens these days in the interest of "National Security"?



* * * *

Ya' know...A DUer, I don't remember who, used to have a sig line that said, "Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints". That's kind of how I feel.

[frylock]

11. how DARE they take offense to our surveillance program!

fucking ingrates. don't they know we're just protectin their freedoms?

[Catherina]

13. Germany is killing me!

U.S. informant Edward Snowden received a mention in an unlike place: a German lingerie ad.

The execution, above, is a pretty juvenile play on the word "uncover." If you're looking for clever commentary on PRISM or the NSA, you'll have to look elsewhere. (Blush Lingerie's Facebook Page goes a bit further, adding: "Dear Edward, take good care! We are with you!")

mashable.com/2013/07/01/edward-snowden-lingerie-ad