After approaching more than 20 countries, NSA leaker Edward Snowden has at last found a nation willing to grant him political asylum. The presidents of Venezuela and Nicaragua today announced that Snowden would be welcomed in their countries. Many couldn’t help but notice that Snowden, a critic of U.S. government surveillance, was apparently headed from Russia to a nation that only recently cracked down on Internet speech that “challenges legally established authorities” and “promotes unrest in the population.”
Nicaragua and Venezuela might have their own human rights challenges, but Snowden’s contact at the Guardian, Glenn Greenwald, was quick to point out that the United States isn’t perfect either. Did you know that President Obama called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2010?
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/353330487424581633
Others, including left-of-Left actor John Cusack, are anticipating the United States government to ramp up its “smear campaign” of Venezuela and Nicaragua to make hero Snowden appear as a sell-out willing to compromise his principles.
Let the smearing of #Nicaragua and #Venezuela begin #Snowden
— Natalie (@InfernoJourno) July 6, 2013
Has it ever stoped? its perpetual in South America – RT @InfernoJourno Let the smearing of #Nicaragua and #Venezuela begin #Snowden
— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 6, 2013
Becouse there is actual independence from Washington RT @InfernoJourno Let the smearing of #Nicaragua and #Venezuela begin #Snowden
— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 6, 2013
@johncusack @InfernoJourno Especially against countries that stand up to US bullying & abuse.
— Eva Golinger (@evagolinger) July 6, 2013
@evagolinger @NicolasMaduro Here comes the smear campaign visited onto Venezuela complements of the United Strokes of America!
— Jay Wolf (@jaywolf83) July 6, 2013
Here we go with the latest WH smear campaign “@jaketapper: Human Rights Watch on Venezuela > http://t.co/KDkhuCHW3y”
— D'Pen (@gr8tale) July 6, 2013
Those raising same knee-jerk criticisms of #Venezuela rights abridgments over Edward Snowden are willfully blind to its legitimate democracy
— Daniel Pneuman (@Dannymander) July 6, 2013
https://twitter.com/nikhilgoya_l/status/353293733934018560
But …
@nikhilgoya_l His fleeing to adversary authoritarian governments also undermines critique of genuine domestic abuses.
— Harold Pollack (@haroldpollack) July 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/nikhilgoya_l/status/353298718226784256
Dear #Venezuela & #Nicaragua: Thank you for upholding the rights America no longer does! http://t.co/XGtNRIxuh2 #NSA #snowden @restorethe4th
— Occupy New Mexico (@0ccupyNewMexico) July 6, 2013
Venezuela doesn't have a perfect track record on human rights, but the US' record may actually be worse. #Snowden
— Left-Wing Teen (@TeenProgressive) July 6, 2013
So fuck every idiot making snide remarks about Venezuela, Russia or China w/r/t human rights, just to snipe at Snowden.
— AKA Fusilli Gigante (@BuzzfeedGDebord) July 6, 2013
Expect any country to offer Edward #Snowden asylum to be demonized. My country only supports human rights when it benefits its interests.
— Anthony Papillion (@CajunTechie) July 6, 2013
Only time will tell how Snowden adjusts to his new life in Central America and the freedoms it affords.
Freedom from incarceration while being restricted on the Internet to only watching cat videos is probably a good deal, all things considered
— Robert (@bobbymacReports) July 6, 2013
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