07-19-2010, 03:27 AM
An older article from The New York Times (July 6) had two poignant passages about the situation:
"Prosecutors have not accused the defendants of passing classified information to their Russian handlers. But a resolution would allow the United States government to avoid a long legal battle in which sensitive information about intelligence techniques could be exposed."
In other words, we want the attention but not the hassle of fighting it out in court. When did they ever? It is right out of one of the final few episodes of 24.
"Such a deal would also eliminate the possibility that a high-profile case would serve as an irritant to relations between the United States and Russia. Although both countries have made clear they do not expect the charges to damage relations, the case has dominated worldwide news accounts in the past week, and indictments and potential trials could keep the case on the front pages for months to come."
Greg, your observations are not only correct, but they are supported by the very people who were partially responsible for making the story a bigger deal than necessary.
If somehow we were to unearth all of the spy swaps that went on quietly from 1960-1990 I think people would be at first overwhelmed, then bored into indifference.
Oh, and the FBI has needed some "good press" for about a decade or so now of poor public image.
Phillip
"Prosecutors have not accused the defendants of passing classified information to their Russian handlers. But a resolution would allow the United States government to avoid a long legal battle in which sensitive information about intelligence techniques could be exposed."
In other words, we want the attention but not the hassle of fighting it out in court. When did they ever? It is right out of one of the final few episodes of 24.
"Such a deal would also eliminate the possibility that a high-profile case would serve as an irritant to relations between the United States and Russia. Although both countries have made clear they do not expect the charges to damage relations, the case has dominated worldwide news accounts in the past week, and indictments and potential trials could keep the case on the front pages for months to come."
Greg, your observations are not only correct, but they are supported by the very people who were partially responsible for making the story a bigger deal than necessary.
If somehow we were to unearth all of the spy swaps that went on quietly from 1960-1990 I think people would be at first overwhelmed, then bored into indifference.
Oh, and the FBI has needed some "good press" for about a decade or so now of poor public image.
Phillip
Phillip
