[brraverishhh]

Austrian authorities grounded Bolivian President Evo Morales’ plane in Vienna early on Wednesday morning due to suspicions that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was on board. Morales allegedly refuted speculation that Snowden had stowed away on the plane and allowed authorities to conduct a search.

“We're talking about the president on an official trip after an official summit being kidnapped,” Bolivia's ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Sacha Llorenti Soliz, told reporters in Geneva on Wednesday.

“We have no doubt that it was an order from the White House,” ambassador Llorenti said. “By no means should a diplomatic plane with the president be diverted from its route and forced to land in another country.”

The ambassador has pledged to make an official complaint to the UN.

There are contradictory reports about whether President Morales’ plane was actually searched in Austria.

The Bolivian Defense Minister Ruben Saavedra said no one boarded the presidential aircraft - presumably to search for fugitive U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden - because Morales refused them entry.

Bolivia's vice president said officials had made their way up to the door of the aircraft, according to Reuters.

However, Austria’s deputy chancellor said earlier, appearing to cast some confusion over whether the plane was actually searched or not, that Austrian authorities searched Morales’ plane for Edward Snowden, but found no stowaways on board.

"Our colleagues from the airport had a look and can give assurances that no one is on board who is not a Bolivian citizen," Austrian Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger told the press.

The plane has now continued on its journey to La Paz, with a refuelling stop-over in the Canary Islands.

[9mm_fan]

I'd really like to know the reasoning of France, Spain and Portugal. There isn't an international warrant for Snowden out there, so on what grounds would they restrict their airspace? Spain wanted to search the plane first? What about diplomatic immunity?
It really shows that US considers every other country, especially the developing ones, to be second class citizens. US would probably consider it an act of war if someone tried to ground Air Force One mid-flight.

[Fegasderty]

It also shows that these other countries are willing to go along with the US, and do what they ask.
I mean, in the grand scheme of things, in the end, Snowden himself isn't that big of a deal. What's important is how everyone has been reacting to him. Now countries like France, who are notorious for flipping the middle finger at the US "seemingly" whenever they get the chance, are now showing that when big brother asks sternly, they will indeed fall into line, and do what he says, even over something so small they should be able to keep flipping their finger off at us.
Its infuriating, especially living in the US, having the government's actions reflect on yourself, but having no knowledge, or confidence, in how to fix this system.

[softy54534]

It's equally frustrating living in the EU right now. For fucks sake, is it that comfortable living in the US' ass? The politicians are not at all doing what the people want.

[Slonopotam845]

They aren't doing what some people want. Mostly people don't care about Snowden or think he's a traitor who has damaged national security. We are not the voice of Americans as a majority.
The thing that frustrates me is that it is far too easy for the government to influence the average American layabout idiot so that in the end, the government is acting on behalf of the majority.
If 20% of the populace is angry, 20% is supportive, and 60% don't care, the government takes that to mean 80% are supportive.

[S.T.D.]

He's not talking about American politicians.

[Beerinkol]

It's the same here (in the UK). Any time I bring up the subject of the NSA/GCHQ everyone goes "eeeh, if you've got nothing to hide, there's no danger". It's almost impossible to get anyone to see the problem here, and until something happens or is released that does rile people up, nothing will happen. People are comfortable, and we don't like to upset the norm without very good reason. Why risk your job protesting when, at the end of the day, nothing is wrong?.

[Ifroham4]

This mindset is so frustrating!! None of my friends or colleagues pay attention to the news at all, and they always say, "I've got nothing to hide", or "I can't do anything anyway" or my favorite, "It's just too upsetting", and then yesterday I told them all about how student loan rates doubled because nobody gave a shit, and they all flipped out because suddenly they were affected. But here's the thing I can't get them to understand: Once you're affected, it's too late.

[tgs]

If you're pissed at apathy about these things, try being an environmentalist. That phrase "by the time you're affected, it's too late" is like the basic principle of environmental action. The apathy is also staggering considering how our survival actually hinges on being able to use resources.

[NeroASERCH]

Imagine this happening to Airforce1. Jets would be scrambled faster than my morning eggs.

[brraverishhh]

We're still at war from the last time someone diverted a plane :I

[NeroASERCH]

Took me a moment. Clever.

[brraverishhh]

Jets fly WITH AF1....it goes everywhere with a fighter escort and aerial refueling tankers.
We wouldn't need to "scramble jets", they're already there....and carrying weapons.

[9mm_fan]

But what if more jets are scrambled in opposition?

[Fegasderty]

I'd presume the escort is there to defend against a rogue attack; if AF1 is attacked over the airspace of a country that's decided to be at war with the US, there's probably significantly more that's gone wrong...

[softy54534]

Our colleagues from the airport had a look and can give assurances that no one is on board who is not a Bolivian citizen," Austrian Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger told press

Strange phrasing.
Would be funny if Snowden had been given Bolivian citizenship moments before.

[Slonopotam845]

The land of the free is being embarrassed daily by the current administration. They are not acting like world leaders and are certainly not interested in amending their ways.

[S.T.D.]

America are not world leaders, they're the world's biggest terrorist organisation who, by sacrificing social development, funded the world's biggest terrorist war machine.
Who needs social healthcare, when we can have an army with the latest tanks?
Who needs quality, accessible education, when we can have drones with the latest missile technology?
Who needs a welfare system that doesn't have people living in absolute poverty, when we can have cyber espionage, and then be hypocritical about it?
"Leaders" indicates that people are listening to them and are being inspired to do likewise, which just isn't the case. There isn't a country in the world that wants the capitalist model the US is built on. Nobody wants a democratic system that is limited to two very, very similar parties. Nowhere in the world wants bank CEOs whispering in the ears of the government and police, telling them what to do. Nowhere else in the world wants a media that is controlled by a handful of people, all of whom have political ties.
There's no "leadership" about it. The world is watching on in horror with what is happening in the US, not begging their own governments to do the same.
And the worst part is that America, who has outliers of immense intelligence and creativity, believe that the actions of a few scientists who are so unbelievably different to the rest of society make up for all the other horrendous shit they're pulling each and every day. Riding on the coattails of the intelligent few, while trying to sweep the damage of the ignorant mass out of sight.
Edit: My sincerest thanks to the kind Redditor who gifted me gold for this. It's very much appreciated, kind stranger, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

[Beerinkol]

I hate the American war machine as much as anyone, but it hasnt stopped us from spending rediculous amounts of money on domestic programs.
The US ranks near the top of the developed world on money spent per pupil. The US also spends more money on healthcare than nearly anyone. That we get garbage results from this spending is a whole other issue, but for all the evils of the warmongering, I dont think you can lay 'weak social spending' on it.

[Ifroham4]

The us spends more of it's GdP on health care than any other country, meaning individuals are left to fend for themselves in this privatized for profit world, not that your government is spending that money on health care, it's another example of how your privatization loving nation has failed it's citizens, not a mark of success.