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By now you know about the NSA interwub spying program known as PRISM.
You may also know that the person responsible for leaking its existence is a former NSA contractor named Edward Snowden. And given Presidente Obama’s current policy on govt whistleblowers, you can pretty much imagine that US authorities are eager to make him Bradley Manning’s new roommate.
Which is why Snowden is currently here in Hong Kong, in the hopes that it will complicate extradition proceedings, as HK is “a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent”.
As a US citizen, a permanent resident of Hong Kong and someone with a blog, I am obligated to comment on this. And all I really have to say is: good luck with that, Ed.
This Venturebeat article explains the complications involved in the US-HK extradition process, and Beijing’s ability to step in if it sees a need to do so.
I’d also add that HK isn’t quite the bastion of free speech and dissent Snowden imagines it is. Compared to China, sure. But there are a few things you can’t openly protest about – like, say, advocating independence for Taiwan or Tibet. Granted, “the US govt spying on citizens” probably isn't on the topic blacklist. Still, the point stands that free speech only gets you so far – especially when HK and the US have signed a bunch of extradition agreements in recent years.
Which is why a number of legal experts – as well as HK’s former security chief, Regina Ip – have said if you want to dodge US extradition, HK is one of the worst places you can pick. The only thing going for him is that the process takes a really long time.
FUN FACT: When The Bride heard the news that Snowden was staying here, this is what she said:
“Excellent, now the US will bomb us if we don’t give him back.”
Which is comic exaggeration, of course. On the other hand, it's not like Obama has a problem with ordering a drone strike on US citizens overseas.
The bombing begins in five minutes,
This is dF
You may also know that the person responsible for leaking its existence is a former NSA contractor named Edward Snowden. And given Presidente Obama’s current policy on govt whistleblowers, you can pretty much imagine that US authorities are eager to make him Bradley Manning’s new roommate.
Which is why Snowden is currently here in Hong Kong, in the hopes that it will complicate extradition proceedings, as HK is “a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent”.
As a US citizen, a permanent resident of Hong Kong and someone with a blog, I am obligated to comment on this. And all I really have to say is: good luck with that, Ed.
This Venturebeat article explains the complications involved in the US-HK extradition process, and Beijing’s ability to step in if it sees a need to do so.
I’d also add that HK isn’t quite the bastion of free speech and dissent Snowden imagines it is. Compared to China, sure. But there are a few things you can’t openly protest about – like, say, advocating independence for Taiwan or Tibet. Granted, “the US govt spying on citizens” probably isn't on the topic blacklist. Still, the point stands that free speech only gets you so far – especially when HK and the US have signed a bunch of extradition agreements in recent years.
Which is why a number of legal experts – as well as HK’s former security chief, Regina Ip – have said if you want to dodge US extradition, HK is one of the worst places you can pick. The only thing going for him is that the process takes a really long time.
FUN FACT: When The Bride heard the news that Snowden was staying here, this is what she said:
“Excellent, now the US will bomb us if we don’t give him back.”
Which is comic exaggeration, of course. On the other hand, it's not like Obama has a problem with ordering a drone strike on US citizens overseas.
The bombing begins in five minutes,
This is dF
