I'm new to steemit too. Interesting information. Sounds like you've had an interesting life. I would have dismissed the Snowden stuff as a little radical only a month ago, but reading about cryptocurrency has adjusted my receptive lense. I had no idea New Zealand dealt with similar issues of privacy and spying on citizens. Glad you're finding Russia to be so positive. I have a friend who lives there and he seems to like it as well. Good luck with your journalistic efforts. I'll have to delve more deeply into what you've put on the internet already. Thanks for posting.