A reader writes:
You’re overplaying the Snowden matter. After all, the Russians only gave him a temporary permit on the basis of him receiving asylum in another country – this isn’t such a big deal in the overall scheme of things. But that Putin is trying to push Obama’s buttons – no doubt about it. I think it’s right that the U.S. should do something to respond, but not because of the Snowden nonsense. The U.S. should act because of the conviction of Navalny, the absurd posthumous conviction of Magnitsky (a victim of extreme cruelty by the Putinistas, and a direct reaction to U.S. legislation punishing the perpetrators by placing them under a travel ban), and the ridiculous anti-gay legislation that Putin has championed. Plenty of good reasons to do something symbolic. Snowden? Not so much, actually.
Another reader:
“I cannot see how it benefits Snowden.” What? He’d be better off living in an airport the rest of his life? Coming back to the U.S. with no guarantee that he’d see a fair trial or avoid torture? If the U.S. didn’t prevent his traveling to Venezuela or another country that offered him asylum, Snowden wouldn’t be in Russia now at all.
Torture? I’d dismiss the idea out of hand if it were not for the disgraceful, sadistic abuse of Bradley Manning by the US military, as he waited trial.
The Dish 