Edward Swowden, a 29-year-old
former technical assistant for the CIA is now
the USA’s public enemy No 1. And his chrime? Mass murder, plotting the downfall of
civilisation as we know it or selling secrets to the enemy? No, none of these. He has embarrassed the
US Government by revealing that they
have access to the ordinary citizen’s e-mails, text messages and Twitter accounts
and have shared these with the UK, the so-called home of democracy.
And so
will begin the call for his extradition back to the States. Whilst it is obviously not acceptable to
extradite someone to Jordan, because they may use evidence obtained by torture,
it is OK to send them to America despite the USA having the death penalty (
especially if you’re black,) sponsoring torture
(extraordinary rendition) an keeping people prisoners for years without
charge or trial (Guantanamo Bay). It’s great to have standards but double
standards are twice as good!
