Hacker News Reader

Comment by lottin | Hacker News Reader

To be honest, he has kind of defected. Yes, he didn't mean to go to Russia initially, but he's chosen to remain there, knowing that the Russians can throw him in the jail whenever they want. By remaining there he's turned himself into Kremlin puppet, to all effects and purposes.

View on HN

He chose to stay in Russia instead of facing a sham trial in America, what a traitor.

> he's chosen to remain there, knowing that the Russians can throw him in the jail whenever they want

It’s not like he has any good options. I don’t blame him for staying in Russia.

I do. I think turning himself in would have been more honourable, in my opinion.

Sacrificing one’s entire life to live in exile to expose is criminal government is plenty honorable.

Frankly as a non American I don’t know why you’re weighing in so strongly on this.

I think revealing the wrongdoings of the US government was honourable, but fleeing to Russia was a bigger dishonour. You don't have to agree, it's a matter of opinion, really.

He fled to Ecuador, he was exiled to Russia.

You're free to take his place. Why don't you volunteer? It would be the honorable thing to do.

Except that you can't take his place.

He seems to have had the much better option of China, but refused it.

I believe he was trying to go elsewhere, but got stuck in Sheremetevo airport because the U.S. disabled his passport before he could board a flight to Hong Kong (or elsewhere, I don't recall where)

> or elsewhere, I don't recall where

Ecuador

In what way? Has he said or done anything that makes him seem like a Russian puppet to you? I don't see how being physically located somewhere means you support or agree with them.

He's a hostage. Everything he says or does has been vetted by his captors, i.e. the Kremlin. That's a puppet.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com