h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

He is the most wanted man since Bin Laden. I think Snowden is fighting a losing battle and should just give himself up. You can't fight the system. Two plus two does equal five.

In context I would have put him in to the 'most unwanted' at this point

Still he has not been adverse to returning home, do you think he should do it now?

If I was in Mr. Snowden's position, I would have made sure I was in a country likely to grant asylum before it became public knowledge I was a whistle-blower. Perhaps though there are reasons why this didn't happen.

On a different subject, a new law in China requires adults to visit their elderly parents regularly or face a fine or prison:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23124345

Snowden and the 99% has already lost, as the Western media focus is all about him and his attempt to seek asylum, rather than the contents of the leak. Same as per Wikileaks where the story became all about Assange, the Ecuadorean embassy in London, and accusations of sexual assaults in Sweden. There is a debate to be had, but it's been obfuscated by the 1%. I have been disappointed by the silence of the Church whose leadership I suspect is part of the 1%, part of the elite.

On a different subject, a new law in China requires adults to visit their elderly parents regularly or face a fine or prison:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-23124345

Seems fair enough. Can't complain with the sentiment. Of course it's irksome having the state machinery forcing the issue, but as far as I can tell, the Chinese state don't allow religion, which also impose penalties (normally leveraged in the after life) regarding being kind to parents etc.

>>where would you go HI?<<

Honestly, I'd go back to the States to stand trial. Let him air his concerns, fears and motivations in open court and let the best available lawyers make his case. Let the government make its case, explain its reasoning for this massive and unconstitutional invasion of privacy.

I know the shameful treatment of Bradley Manning doesn't exactly augur well, but I think it's the right thing to do. It may see him in jail but heroism and bravery often involves personal sacrifice.

The Welsh Parliament have voted in an opt-out policy for organ donations: it seems that welsh hospitals and doctors can remove and use organs of people without their consent legally ... people have to specifically opt-out of the welsh organ donation promotion.

This seems to have caused concern amongst ethnic minorities living in Wales who have belief systems opposed to organ donation.

The following BBC report doesn't explain the nuts and bolts of the decision, just the fact that the decision has been passed through the Welsh Assembly and that Welsh politicians are claiming this as a "victory" for the "nation" of wales:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23143236

erratum: replace organ programme for organ promotion.

It applies to anyone ordinarily resident in Wales for at least 12 months prior to their demise, including long stay "tourists", workers, and university students ... and their families do not have a legal veto.

It doesn't apply to those under the age of 18 or those deemed to be mentally incapable of making a decision. It only applies to those passing away within the borders of Wales
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23127751

Passenger Planes being refused permission to fly across European air space under suspicion of containing international fugitive and evil-doer Edward Snowden:

"Bolivian President Evo Morales's plane has been diverted to Austria amid suspicion that US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is on board, the foreign minister has said.

David Choquehuanca denied that Mr Snowden was on the plane.

France and Portugal reportedly refused to allow the Bolivia-bound flight to cross their airspace".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23156360

This is an update of the massive fire caused by a Chinese lantern. The following opens up into a BBC iplayer clip which captures the moment the Chinese Lantern landed in the recycling plant. It is claimed that all bar one fire engine in the West Midlands UK was brought in to tackle the blaze ... which raises the question of whether lives were put in danger elsewhere in the West Midlands due to lack of fire fighting capacity.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23150245

US continue to pump billions of dollars into developing drone combat aircraft for robot warfare:

"The U.S. Navy's X-47B drone has become the first unmanned craft to complete a catapult launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Today's demonstration took place on the USS George H.W. Bush, off the coast of Virginia. ...

Today we saw a small, but significant pixel in the future picture of our Navy as we begin integration of unmanned systems into arguably the most complex warfighting environment that exists today: the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier," the Navy's "Air Boss," Vice Admiral David Buss said in a statement."
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/navys-x-47b-drone-completes-first-carrier-takeoff-1C9922371

Thanks Lusus and Hl

I wonder if he choose Hong Kong because it might have raised more of an eyebrow suddenly going off for a jaunt to Ecuador or somewhere.

It would take a huge amount of courage of to go back, I'm not sure I would have in me to do that.It makes sense of a kind but I don't think he would fare well.

{Honestly, I'd go back to the States to stand trial. Let him air his concerns, fears and motivations in open court...}

I can't see the US allowing a public trial in this case.

I couldn't believe Ireland was even being mooted. He wouldn't have been in the country for a week before he was handed over.

For somebody in an intelligence agency with access to high level secure files, the man seems to be lacking one crucial attribute.

Has anyone seen a good beginners guide (article) to seeking asylum I can read?

Ones with clauses like this?

'A fugitive criminal shall not be surrendered if the offense in respect of which his surrender is demanded be of a political character, or if he proves that the requisition for his surrender has, in fact, been made with a view to try or punish him for an offense of a political character.

No person surrendered by either of the high contracting parties to the other shall be triable or tried, or be punished for any political crime or offense, or for any act connected therewith, committed previously to his extradition

I didn't find this interactive easy or specific enough

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2013/jul/02/guardian-guide-extradition-interactive

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23160583

Government spends £1000 a month spotting sarcastic comments.

That's money well spent

s'pect there other overspends while NSA worked it out

The end of society: train windows that try to sell you something ...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23167112