U.S. Letter Says Leaker Won’t Face Death Penalty [Obama to Putin: "Trust Me" Ha!]

New York Times ^ | 7/26/13 | MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and STEVEN LEE MYERS

[SoFloFreeper]

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said in a letter sent to the Russian minister of justice this week that the United States would not seek the death penalty against Edward J. Snowden, and would issue him a passport immediately so he could travel back to the United States.

The letter also offered reassurances that the United States would not torture Mr. Snowden, the former intelligence contractor who faces criminal charges of disclosing classified information and has been hiding in an airport in Moscow in order to evade the American authorities.

“We believe these assurances eliminate these asserted grounds for Mr. Snowden’s claim that he should be treated as a refugee or granted asylum, temporary or otherwise,” Mr. Holder said in the letter, which was sent to Justice Minister Aleksandr V. Konovalov.

[SoFloFreeper]

Yeah, because Obama and Holder have REALLY proven themselves to be trustworthy.......

[Bernard]

Well, he did tell Putin that he could be more flexible after the election. No news update on whether Larry Sinclair’s ears picked up after that comment.

[Diogenesis]

General Kimsey: “I wouldn't trust liars Holder or Obama with a potato gun.”

[GOPJ]

Putin’s too smart to trust either Obama OR the New York Times... the guy wasn’t born yesterday.

[Texas Fossil]

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, restated Russia’s refusal to extradite Mr. Snowden, citing the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries. “We have never surrendered anyone,” he said in a statement reported by the Interfax news agency, “and we will never do so in the future.”

Translation: Not only NO, but H NO! hee hee hee

[PowderMonkey]

A bear, a wolf, and a lamb sit down to decide what’s for lunch. Guess which two are focusing on a good recipe right now.

[Sacajaweau]

Obama doesn't get it. Russia recognizes defection just as we do.

I'd say Russia is the safest place on earth for Snowden.....Russia will shoot down any drone.

Why would we even say we won't torture or kill Snowden. Of course we're gonna kill him....and ASAP.

[my small voice]

What a joke. Does he really think Putin gives a crap??? Yeah, Putin is concerned for Snowden’s rights.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Putin thinks Obama is a buffoon and he treats Obama as such!!! I agree!!!

[Mercat]

I would really sort of like for a big high powered lawyer to go over there with this newly issued passport and escort Snowdon back with all the cameras running for a big show trial in the venue of Snowdon’s choosing. It could get very very interesting.

[TomGuy]

That sounds too eerily like:

Alex Flood: “We'll hang him tomorrow right after the trial.”-Dean Martin in Rough Night in Jericho

and

"Cobb: We're gonna give you a fair trial, followed by a first class hanging." Brian Dennehy in Silverado.

==

The charges Mr. Snowden faces in the United States do not carry the death penalty, the letter said, adding that the United States would not seek the death penalty “even if Mr. Snowden were charged with additional death penalty-eligible crimes.”

No guarantee, however. Mr. Snowden might trip and fall down a flight of stairs or some similar accident or even attempt suicide. [Russians know about strange suicide cases -- like 2 shots to the back of the head or chowing down on a dose of polonium or thallium.]

[21st Century Crusader]

Would YOU bet YOUR life on the word of these two?

[jonascord]

It’s a hell of a note that I trust the KBG agent more than the President of the United States...

[Caipirabob]

Why would Putin trust Obama? Putin can recognize Taqiyya when he sees it.

[Iron Munro]

[Hotlanta Mike]

Putin is shaking in his boots that Obama is going to send in Seal Team 6 or launch a drone strike inside Russia against Snowden.

[txhurl]

The only real reason for friendship Putin had for the US was our common hatred of terrorism... with MB-lovin’ poshitus that’s aaallll gone.

Therefore, Putin should assist in ridding us of him and let Snowden release things to that end, in the meantime bringing Snowden’s family and girlfriend over until Cruz is inaugurated.

[molson209]

Obama will put him in chains and take him along on another Speech Tour

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yeh Putin has figured out what the rest of us already knew. Obooboo ain’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.