A lesson from Edward Snowden...

Since things have quieted down, I think I can make my assessment of a man whom my country has harbored. He fled the U.S. after leaking documents on a huge spying program that exists in the U.S. What can we learn from the whole thing? Here's my assessment.

1) The U.S. offers a lot less freedom than most people realized.

2) The U.S. is a lot more corrupt than most people imagined.

3) The real value of U.S. lecturing the rest of the World on human rights, democracy, and freedom is zero.

To me, as a Russian, the U.S. stopped being a model country that I would want Russia to be. Most of my friends share this opinion.  

Can you sum up the situation around Snowden for all of us that don't follow the news?  He supposedly sold US secrets to other countries?  Or is there another reason why the US wants him prosecuted?

You are entitled to your opinion, but I don't think you'll succeed in convincing anybody to share your opinion, who doesn't do so already.

Does Russia even have running water??  Of all the places to seek Asylum, poor Snowden is all "snowed in", so to speak, in that climate.  :(

Yes, Mr. Tarkanian (must be an Armenian, aren't ya?). Russia does have running water. Russia is a much better place to live in now thant the U.S. as a matter of fact. That I speak from a firsthand experience of living in the United States for FIVE years (2007-11).

Mr. Snowden will have a better future in Russia than in America because America has no future. After the fall of the Soviet Union America is becoming more like Soviet Union while Russia is becoming more like America in its heyday. Russia will flourish while America will be overrun by minorities and drowned in debt.

I suggest you start learning Russian and join the Armenian community in Russia. I have many good Armenian friends who are thankful to live in Russia. They will teach you hard work and decency.

Running water is always good.  If you can promise me 70 degree weather all year round, I am THERE!

Back to the original question, though, why is Snowden in trouble?  Selling secrets?  And you don't feel that I am a hard working, decent person already?

  I have always had issues with keeping secrets, too, as a kid and adult.  I ruin all of the suprise b-day parties for everyone that I know. :(

Well, I can promise you several things here in Russia.

1) Beautiful women (not the fat, ugly bitches that are full of themselves)

2) Lower Taxes

3) Food that's free of GMOs and actually has a taste

4) Good Vodka (Nemiroff, Stoli, Smirnoff, Istok - my favorite)

5) You will get a real sense of Weather - the real smell of a Spring and Fall. Every season is beautiful in its own way. You don't need the same temperature year around - that doen't feel right.

6) A country that, unlike America, has a Good Present and a Great Future.

7) If you get a smile from a person, you know they really like you. Unlike America, People in Russia don't fake their emotions. 

Winter is kinda harsh, I admit but hey, we got beautiful women and good Vodka to keep you warm. I don't recommend driving though, you're much better off using public transportation. And keeping your mouth shut and your ears open is a good idea for starters since there are a lot of things you're gonna have to learn.

Back to the original question - your sarcasm about Russia. If you come to Russia I suggest you lose it - being humble is a better alternative - it will help you to keep your teeth.

Those things being said, I was still very happy to return to Russia. And here's a good song to conclude our discussion. You may not understand words, but you'll get the spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KC-iscJtsI

When people threaten to beat me up, I always wonder where they get this unfound knowledge that they are guaranteed to win?  And somehow its not THEIR TEETH that they will swallow.  Well, we can do first things first.  If you ever get back to the US, email me and we can meet up.  Then you can demonstrate the teeth thing... after we pick up yours.  Deal?

I was not threatening you. Don't make it personal - trust me you don't want that. Just giving you suggestions how you should behave while in Russia. And believe me, when you get into fights in Russia - you better be drunk - at least you ain't gonna feel shit even if ten people are beating you.

But if you be nice here, find some good Russian friends, you will have a world of fun. And you're most likely to have a better life. And they will always stand up for you if necessary.

Well... I have to agree with #1, but only the part about beautiful women in Russia (most women in the US aren't fat and ugly). And I'm sure that #4 is also true, but I don;t drink vodka. And for #5 an #7, I'm from a small city/town in Massachusetts, where there are 4 distinct seasons, then environment's great, and the people are really nice. Right now I'm going to school in a big city in the US, and I'll admit that it does have some of the problems that you mentioned, but I mean, I still like it here. And I'm glad that u like it in Russia. It's a good thing that not everybody in the world feels happiest in the same place, or else that place would be really crowded.

Trust you, I don't want that.....Goodness, get over yourself. 

 You state "I don't like the US, I think Russia is soooo much better!".....Well guy, good!!  Then stay in Russia???  Stay there!! 

And then you go again, ".....but....didn't you hear me??  I said US is crap, Russia is GREAT.  I don't want to live in the US!!"

AGAIN.....STAY...IN....RUSSIA THEN.....Goodness, people are so lame.

Hell, don't worry, Mr. Tarkanian. I ain't going back to the US. Of course I am staying in Russia. US has no future exept one of bankruptcy and the present ain't great either. Been there done that, LOL. I trashed my green card as soon as I landed.

I was talking to trying to make my point that Russia is a better place than the US - if you know how to get around. I was also giving you some tips on that - should you chose to move to Russia. And Snowden did good to seek asylum here - Russia is not afraid of your little prezidente's childish anger. Russia sent all of the U.S. Govt на хуй.

DUDE.  We are FINE with you staying in Russia.  What more needs to be said?  STAY THERE.  End of story.

>> US has no future exept one of bankruptcy and the present ain't great either.

Certainly I don't love Russians, but unfortunately he is quite right in some points.
Of course I don't generally think that living in Russia would be better than living in US.

US public debt is about 100% of GDP and Obama is forcing obamacare - a new big cost? what a great idea!
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._National_Debt_-_Dollars_and_Relative_to_GDP.png

I was going to answer this before I realized it was an excuse for a Russian to bash America. Shame. It's an interesting topic.

But if you oppose Obamacare then the media makes it look like it's your fault, and the pubnic in general believes whatever the media says.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ugDU2qNcyg

The national debt is not the apocalypse.  Educate yourself.

Lets all calm down i will admit america is not in the best position i will not agree that russia is now the best nation in the world nor that it is more free then america.

America is still hands down the most powerful nation in the world, in terms of its economy, technology, military, education, quality of life (compared with other nations of similar scale, not those tiny West-Eurpopean countries with less population than a major US city), etc. And I don't see any other nation in the world overtaking the US, or even coming close to overtaking the US in my lifetime (and I plan on living for at least another 50 years).