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jeff47

(26,549 posts)

128. You don't have to "rat" anyone out for a plea deal.

Mon Jan 27, 2014, 11:09 AM

Jan 2014

Sure, it's a common way to get a plea deal, but it's not the only way.

A plea deal would help in two ways:
1) Get him back in the country instead of talking up how exiled he is.

2) Get around the problem that it isn't actually illegal for a civilian to leak classified. UCMJ has a law about this, but civilian federal law does not. A civilian has to hand the classified over to another country, or for compensation. Snowden didn't hand over the classified for money, and he did not do it at the behest of another country. The laws regarding espionage don't actually cover publishing the information to everyone for free.

Sure, he'd have been fired and lost his clearance, but it's not clear he could be convicted....except that he fled. Now it can be argued Russia's asylum is compensation - they are feeding and housing him, after all. But he could argue that was after-the-fact and not the reason he leaked in the first place.

A plea deal cleans up that potential mess.

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US hints at Edward Snowden plea bargain to allow return from Russia. [View all] another_liberal Jan 2014 OP

ticker tape! grasswire Jan 2014 #1

It's The Guardian . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #4

Let's not forget the New York Post and Britain's Daily Mail... DonViejo Jan 2014 #12

no no I didn't mean The Guardian grasswire Jan 2014 #18

I see. another_liberal Jan 2014 #20

I am sure your summary is what is going on. Let's walk them back all the way from prosecution on point Jan 2014 #55

Why would you think a plea deal is a walkback from prosecution? nt msanthrope Jan 2014 #57

Start of negotiating position admin gave an inch on point Jan 2014 #59

Not really...have you seen plea terms? A federal prosecutor is generally obligated msanthrope Jan 2014 #69

Ha ha ha hueymahl Jan 2014 #151

Which is the point I made on another thread, and which is why Eddie has msanthrope Jan 2014 #153

Since when has the Guardian been reliable? Vattel Jan 2014 #109

The Guardian's articles tend to be well referenced... MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #117

wait. grasswire Jan 2014 #2

That is a point, I'll grant you. another_liberal Jan 2014 #9

Naa...... sendero Jan 2014 #53

Pretty good assessment Amigo Titonwan Jan 2014 #102

No, it isn't. Snowden no longer controls the info. Gerhard28 Jan 2014 #130

I know that Titonwan Jan 2014 #149

I thought everything he took was already in the hands of other individuals. Incitatus Jan 2014 #10

It is in other's hands. Titonwan Jan 2014 #33

Hey may deserve it, but I'm very skeptical that he could safely return anytime in the near future, Incitatus Jan 2014 #35

I don't doubt a lot of intel types would see it as a plus if he were whacked, even now. nt Jerry442 Jan 2014 #67

Snowden left with nothing but digital files, correct? jmowreader Jan 2014 #38

And? Titonwan Jan 2014 #41

And full allocution and cooperation. If Eddie cops a plea deal, that means he sold out. nt msanthrope Jan 2014 #56

It makes one think it might all be an elaborate ruse nilesobek Jan 2014 #64

Still waiting to hear the rest of the story. democratisphere Jan 2014 #3

Our President has had just about enough of the NSA . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #5

Judging by his actions, it's clear that he hasn't. n/t Psephos Jan 2014 #11

I think more than anything he's pissed it grew so powerful under his watch. joshcryer Jan 2014 #37

What are you talking about? Shemp Howard Jan 2014 #52

"He is not some outside observer." another_liberal Jan 2014 #100

Yeah, I remember Titonwan Jan 2014 #104

I love everything about Elizabeth Warren. another_liberal Jan 2014 #106

Boy, are you naive. The Stranger Jan 2014 #133

hardly, he got caught with his pants down. and so has now proposed relatively weak reforms. Vattel Jan 2014 #110

If I were Snowden I would stay as far away from this alleged deal and US legal authority as I Warren Stupidity Jan 2014 #6

He should stay far far away bl968 Jan 2014 #7

This. The Stranger Jan 2014 #134

+1 1000words Jan 2014 #8

What makes you so sure of that? another_liberal Jan 2014 #15

If there is one person who knows what the U.S. is capable of ... 1000words Jan 2014 #21

Absolutely true. another_liberal Jan 2014 #24

there's that grasswire Jan 2014 #17

I agree - he will be tortured. fbc Jan 2014 #39

What! But but... Titonwan Jan 2014 #42

Hopefully in a few years we'll have an Administration whose word can be trusted MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #13

It will happen, and soon. another_liberal Jan 2014 #14

LOL... I want some of that y'all are smoking/snorking... eom Purveyor Jan 2014 #16

This message was self-deleted by its author another_liberal Jan 2014 #26

Hey, Clinton voted against telecom immunity. joshcryer Jan 2014 #36

That was a cynical vote Titonwan Jan 2014 #43

She sure did. joshcryer Jan 2014 #44

Russ Feingold Titonwan Jan 2014 #47

Wish Russ would run again. joshcryer Jan 2014 #48

When did she give that speech? It wasn't before Bush invaded. karynnj Jan 2014 #75

Hopefully in a few years we still even have a planet. olddad56 Jan 2014 #65

But he must plead guilty first frazzled Jan 2014 #19

That is the message now . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #22

What does 'plea bargain' mean to you? muriel_volestrangler Jan 2014 #51

A federal plea deal means Eddie will be ratting everyone else out. I wouldn't call msanthrope Jan 2014 #58

I'm not talking about anyone 'winning'; just that the Guardian put 'plea bargain' in the headline muriel_volestrangler Jan 2014 #62

Edward hasn't ratted anyone out. Titonwan Jan 2014 #63

If he cops a federal plea, he will have to. nt msanthrope Jan 2014 #68

Edward won't cop to a plea. Titonwan Jan 2014 #72

Yeah he will. and Russia hasn't extended the asylum..it's still on the original one year.. msanthrope Jan 2014 #80

You don't have to "rat" anyone out for a plea deal. jeff47 Jan 2014 #128

I have never seen a federal poly deal that does not have significant " terms of cooperation" msanthrope Jan 2014 #138

There aren't many cases like this one. jeff47 Jan 2014 #139

But for FBI conduct, Ellsburg would have gone to prison. Snowden doesn't have much leverage.. msanthrope Jan 2014 #144

The problem is well beyond FBI conduct jeff47 Jan 2014 #147

I wonder if dear GG is sleeping well these days. Whisp Jan 2014 #143

GG will never allow Eddie to take a deal, if he has anything to say about it...and he should be msanthrope Jan 2014 #145

GG should sell his flop sweat in tiny little expensive vials to his adoring fans. n/t Whisp Jan 2014 #146

Snowden would be nuts to believe them HatTrick Jan 2014 #23

When he's ready to deal . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #25

And the plane will develop engine trouble* and land in the Pacific, off course somewhere. RC Jan 2014 #81

If they get ahold of Snowden, he's a DEAD MAN. blkmusclmachine Jan 2014 #27

You don't snitch on the State, and live to tell about it... blkmusclmachine Jan 2014 #28

Like the man said . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #29

Please inform Daniel Ellsberg that he is dead. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2014 #129

Snowden's argument of weak whistle blower protection is not a defense for the actions he has Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #30

sez you grasswire Jan 2014 #31

Don't think so, I bet the defense of weak whistle blower protection would go over like a lead Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #32

He's already a legend! Titonwan Jan 2014 #34

a legend in his mind, a thief in truth Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #40

No thief- a liberator. Titonwan Jan 2014 #45

When you steal you are a thief. maybe you love a thief, I don't. One does not have the right Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #60

The Espionage Act of 1917 Titonwan Jan 2014 #61

Belated welcome to DU grasswire Jan 2014 #71

A good reason for the ALCU to tie up our courts. The Constitution was written before 1917, guess Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #86

No sense Titonwan Jan 2014 #95

The point of my post was to point out just because a law was enacted in 1917 does not Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #98

And what a facetious law it was. Titonwan Jan 2014 #99

Nieztsche applies here grasswire Jan 2014 #70

Right on! Titonwan Jan 2014 #73

This must apply to Snowden since it is evident he chooses to punish. Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #87

seeking truth is punishment? grasswire Jan 2014 #88

Go tell Snowden. Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #89

Your argument confuses me. A Simple Game Jan 2014 #112

I this case Snowden is clearly the thief, admitted he took the files. Would you want to Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #113

Well you have a point, someone is clearly not keeping up with the news. A Simple Game Jan 2014 #115

You think I am not keeping up, when has the collecting of phone call data gone to the SC Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #116

You were surprised! It said google right in the link. You went further and saw that A Simple Game Jan 2014 #124

Which opinion will be official, the rulings in courts or statements from the WH? Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #125

I'm not going to waste any more time with you nor am I going to post A Simple Game Jan 2014 #127

I am quiet informed, losing, no, I continue to be informed, follow the case through the courts. Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #136

Since you went there already... LiberalLovinLug Jan 2014 #140

In this case, Snowden stole files, he is charged with theft and espionage. He has admitted to Thinkingabout Jan 2014 #142

What top? MrMickeysMom Jan 2014 #118

if he came back, I think many on DU would be first in line to crucify and torch him Alamuti Lotus Jan 2014 #46

I'd only do that if he got a slap on the wrist. joshcryer Jan 2014 #49

He wouldn't take it even if it were offered davidpdx Jan 2014 #50

No plea pardon negotiations. Offer him a full complete pardon Obama and rein in the NSA. on point Jan 2014 #54

You all need to remember the dead man switch Snowden set up. bemildred Jan 2014 #66

Just like Julian Assange Titonwan Jan 2014 #74

Snowden has far more leverage than the others. bemildred Jan 2014 #76

I don't know if you read Digby Titonwan Jan 2014 #77

I do think the Dems better take this issue away from the wingnuts while they still can. nt bemildred Jan 2014 #78

Not only does it make political sense... Titonwan Jan 2014 #79

LOL!!! Republican Party Demands Investigation Into NSA Spying bemildred Jan 2014 #82

All Americans should unite against spying. woo me with science Jan 2014 #84

Seems unlikely to me. bemildred Jan 2014 #85

And the Thugs-R-Us will... Titonwan Jan 2014 #93

I'm feelin' ya, man Titonwan Jan 2014 #90

That was a great read! Thanks! Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #91

Back atcha, LA Titonwan Jan 2014 #92

I had lots of buddies that served in Nam, grunts. bemildred Jan 2014 #94

You're damned skippy it does Titonwan Jan 2014 #96

AWESOME!!!!!! I love your reality-based rant! Vattel Jan 2014 #111

Yeah, thanks for the correction. Drunk fingers. Titonwan Jan 2014 #114

Republican National Committee Denounces NSA Spying, Calls For Special Congressional Investigation bemildred Jan 2014 #83

They've abandoned all pretext of journalistic objectivity treestar Jan 2014 #97

He is though. another_liberal Jan 2014 #101

Me too Titonwan Jan 2014 #103

I wouldn't trust 'em, Ed! FiveGoodMen Jan 2014 #105

Ha, if I were Snowden I wouldn't come near anywhere they could grab me. malthaussen Jan 2014 #107

Here's a good read on 'leakers' Titonwan Jan 2014 #108

Thanks for the link. another_liberal Jan 2014 #121

Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning and Thomas Drake Titonwan Jan 2014 #122

great post. keep encouraging him to come back arely staircase Jan 2014 #119

You doubt he'll get one? another_liberal Jan 2014 #120

hell yeah he will get one arely staircase Jan 2014 #155

Snowden is not the enemy. another_liberal Jan 2014 #156

plea bargain against a kangaroo court that has Madmiddle Jan 2014 #123

I don't think he is coming back. He doesn't trust the U.S. Gvt. to keep their word. nt ladjf Jan 2014 #126

If I had a warm hotel room in Moscow . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #135

He may have done a good thing exposing NSA abuses, but I personally think he is a Ron Paul loving, catbyte Jan 2014 #131

F. D. R. was our greatest President and possibly the greatest individual of the 20th Century . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #137

There's a difference between cheating on your wife & wishing ill on millions of catbyte Jan 2014 #141

I don't believe that was Snowden's motive at all . . . another_liberal Jan 2014 #150

Absolutely DESPICABLE Tippy Jan 2014 #152

But the Neonazicons have so fucked up the law, would it be enforced? The Stranger Jan 2014 #132

He won't be handed a get-out-of-jail-free card unless he turns out to be a US double-agent struggle4progress Jan 2014 #148

I doubt if he is any kind of an "Agent." another_liberal Jan 2014 #154