cos they're all spies...yeah

[Testin da Cable]

hmmm. sometimes I do indeed wonder what goes on in the dark of night. the triggering of events, the manipulation of those same events. the selling out of a nation.
I have no idea what moves this man. Any thoughts?

 

[mr.Blacky]

well its obvious Russia is poor, just 1.4 million
he is prob subverted by a sexy russian secretary

 

[old.charliealpha]

Usually its because they are either manipulated in such a way that they are forced to think again about their patriotic duties, they are blackmailed or probably paid a large sum of cash. In this case 1.4 million.

 

[old.[TBUK]Boris]

Well imagine the thrill of it.
Plus it must have made him feel very important.
Nobody wants to feel like an insignificant ant amongst many other ants do they?
Its the same motivation as for hackers and some other criminals.
The thrill of doing it is addictive especially if you get away with it.
Russia isnt really a main power now its just too poor and decrepid.Chinas the new threat it would seem or so the media would lead you to believe.I dont know who to trust.

 

[Testin da Cable]

ah, but this is a very smart man [in this case]. He is a high level FBI person, he's been in the biz for 20odd years. He is one of the few people who are in the [more or less] forefront of the knowlage game. Why would he do such a thing?
As to the money, a man in that position with 20 years under his belt won't have much to complain about I think.


edit: there is that Boris. I could understand a person doing it for the very thrill of fooling everyone.

 

[old.charliealpha]

Originally posted by [TBUK]Boris
Well imagine the thrill of it.
Plus it must have made him feel very important.
Nobody wants to feel like an insignificant ant amongst many other ants do they?
Its the same motivation as for hackers and some other criminals.
The thrill of doing it is addictive especially if you get away with it.
Russia isnt really a main power now its just too poor and decrepid.Chinas the new threat it would seem or so the media would lead you to believe.I dont know who to trust.

Its the glorification too.

would you do it?

 

[old.[TBUK]Boris]

I might be tempted.You dont know until youre actually in the given situation.Id like to say I'd be patrotic but if you knew all the truth about what your contries upto,your outlook might change drastically.
Everybody likes to think they're perfect but anyone can crack.
Previous generations fought wars.We're lucky enough to not have to enlist but it must be said its in our blood to take risks,otherwise wed all have died long ago.

 

[Skyler]

I would say hes just greedy tbh...

His wages would of been bloody nice anyway...

 

[Summo]

From what I read, FBI agents don't earn ridiculous money, even senior ones, so I guess '$1.4 million in cash and diamonds' would have made a tidy nest egg for him, his wife and six children. Particularly if the nation he was selling these secrets to was no longer considered a major threat. That said, he knew the risks. He knew the death penalty would be a very real possibility and $1.4m isn't a lot for someone's life. In conclusion then... I dunno. :/

What shocked me is "Investigators have accused the spy of compromising dozens of Soviet personnel who were working for the United States, some of whom were executed."

A man sworn to defend the peace?

I'm perturbed.

 

[old.charliealpha]

Originally posted by [TBUK]Boris
I might be tempted.You dont know until youre actually in the given situation.Id like to say I'd be patrotic but if you knew all the truth about what your contries upto,your outlook might change drastically.
Everybody likes to think they're perfect but anyone can crack.
Previous generations fought wars.We're lucky enough to not have to enlist but it must be said its in our blood to take risks,otherwise wed all have died long ago.

I've done my time in the UK Forces. I was an Aircraft Technician in the REME and thats installed a great form of patriotic duty in me. I dont like some of the stuff that goes on behind closed doors and we never really know what happens in the hierarchy of things and I'd like to think that I'm a patriotic person but you are right. Nobody is perfect and we all have our weaknesses. At the top of that list is money. Given the right amount I'm prepared to do just about anything. Even presidents and politicians are guilty of this..

 

[old.charliealpha]

Originally posted by Skyler
I would say hes just greedy tbh...

His wages would of been bloody nice anyway...

goverment officials dont get that much

 

[Testin da Cable]

Originally posted by charliealpha

would you do it?

I don't know. When you are in a position such as that man was, the variables change and thus you get a different slant on the game. The key imo, is that even though people call it 'the great game', it isn't really. In the end a country gets screwed. 99.9% of that country not knowing it doesn't make it any less horrible. I don't think I'd do it, but I don't know.

 

[mr.Blacky]

have people read that the man spied for 20 years? so 1.4 million divided by 20=70.000 a year. Though 70.000 dollars is alot of money for most people, considering the fact that his actions were quote

"Exceptionally grave" is how U.S. officials first described the damage Hanssen did before they knew the depth of his betrayal. Now, some analysts call Hanssen the most damaging spy in U.S. history.

he is not been payed much

 

[Testin da Cable]

well, the russians got a pretty good deal. that's true enough heh.

 

[Munkey-]

tbh. russia was light years ahead in the intelligence business whilst america tried.


ah well

 

[Wilier]

"I am shamed by it. Beyond its illegality, I have torn the trust of so many. Worse, I have opened the door for calumny against my totally innocent wife and our children. I hurt them deeply. I have hurt so many deeply."

and then,

Hanssen pleaded guilty to 15 counts of espionage and conspiracy for passing classified information to the Soviet Union and, later, Russia, during a 20-year period.

Yeah, he must feel real bad
He only had 20 years to think about it. TBH, it will most definatley be greed to start with, then prolly got scared of the consequence of stopping.

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

Money is an incentive.

But surely somewhere inside it's the person's own consciousness that is dictating their actions...

 

[Testin da Cable]

I seem to remember the russian spy masters dealing quite severely with those who tried to get out of the game. iirc they had the choice of going to russia or getting killed.

 

[Wilier]

Thats my point.
He probably started off just enjoying the money, but then had threats on his and/or his families life.

Not an excuse admittedly.