Posted on 12/19/2013 10:48:20 AM PST by kronos77
"I envy Obama because he can spy on his allies without any consequences," said Putin when asked about how his relations had changed with the US following Snowden’s espionage revelations.
During an annual question-and-answer session with journalists, Putin praised Edward Snowden’s actions, saying that he was working for a “noble cause.” At the same time he accepted the importance of espionage programs in the fight against global terrorism, but said the NSA needed guidelines to limit its powers.
“There is nothing to be upset about and nothing to be proud of, spying has always been and is one of the oldest professions,” said Putin.
Referring to the vast amounts of metadata gathered on citizens by the NSA, Putin said it is impossible to sift through all of that information. It is “useless” to look at the analysis of spy agencies because it is the opinion of analysts and not facts and as such can be misleading.
“You need to know the people who analyze them, I know, I did it,” said Putin, harking back to his career as a KGB agent.
The Russian president described Snowden as a “curious character” and said it was not clear why the former CIA contractor had decided to blow the whistle on the NSA’s international espionage program at such a young age.
Russia is not working with Snowden and has not received classified documents from him, Putin said. The whistleblower has been allowed to reside in Russia but only on the condition he does not “engage in anti-American propaganda.”
(Excerpt) Read more at rt.com ...
Hasn’t gotten out of the KGB mindset, I see. Mr. Putin, you can spy on people . . . you just can’t give them the polonium-treatment.
When a “former” communist strongman who was a career KGB officer says you’re more of a dictator than he is, what does that tell us? WAKE UP, SHEEPLES!!
I beg to differ with you. He radiates good will, as it were, compared to BHO.
This says more about us than Obama.
Putin is shocked that Americans, the great liberators, would have allowed it.
Putin is right on. I agree.
I’m liking Vlad more every day.
That Putin would say such a thing and have grounds to be completely sincere is both amusing and terrifying to most (thinking) Americans.
Am sensing a putin lie.
Well Vlad, now you know what he meant by having “more flexibility” after the election. Then, he had to endure some scrutiny; now he can do whatever he wants to.
Internet venting diffuses our outrage to do anything.
Our parents would have handled this by now already.
We type about it, instead.
Why would anyone believe what this KGB operative says? Believe the opposite.
Guess that is why dhs continues to deplete the shelves of ammo.
That implies that the NSA is going to sift the data rather than go directly after enemies of the state like tea partiers, right wing talk show hosts and opposition politicians.
As I posted on another thread. I don't know what is more disconcerting: fat women fainting at Obama rallies, or FReepers fainting on Putin threads.
Hey, Putie, don’t envy him.
You may be an old-style KGB guy at heart, but you are a MANLY old-style KGB guy, unlike the stylized wimp in the White House.
Sense a really good chance putin is covering for zer0 and his crowd while putin licks his chops at the feast placed before him ... thanks to zer0 and his crowd. Snowden is starting to look like a pawn which was being thought of prior. Hey putin ... bet you have a lot of misinformation and zer0 tried to shaft you. Bend over putin! zer0 thinks you are reggie.
Smelling an end run. putin thinks Snowden was right up the middle.
Who would you put your trust in? Putin or Obama? Which do you think would rescue you from a burning building. Which would you rather walk down a dark street with? If you only had those two to leave your kids with, which one? Silly questions, perhaps, but I’m going with Putin and you can go with Obama.
I blame a general ignorance of Russia, and Russian politics.
I'll go with Netanyahu, thank you very much.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.