odds on Edward Snowden and Prince Wayne

MOSCOW (AP) - National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden was given a document on Wednesday that allows him to leave the transit zone of a Moscow airport and enter Russia, a state news agency said.

Since the Brits are reputed to be willing to place wagers on damn near anything, the story made me wonder what sort of odds Snowden was being given. My question was: What are the odds that Snowden will ever reach a place of safety (or at least asylum) beyond the reach of one pretty pissed-off American government? My own feeling is that the Americans will either kidnap or dispose of him in some manner that includes "plausible deniability."

I couldn't find any odds that answered my question directly, but Paddypower Sport was willing to take bets on where Snowden might be on Jan. 1, 2014. The oddsmaker seemed to favor Russia as the most likely place with odds of 1/40 or only one dollar/pound/whatever earned for every forty dollars wagered. Second place was reserved for the United States at 10/1  ... or ten dollars earned for every one wagered. Venezuela (12/1), Hong Kong (20/1), Nicaragua (20/1) and others followed along. The UK and Germany were the longest shots, both at 125/1. Based on the site, the odds seemed to be available until July 28, 2013 ... at which point I suppose they will be revised or reposted.

It wouldn't surprise me if the United States moved up in ranking as time passes.

Whatever the case, I find something more compelling about a British oddsmaker than the talking-head analysts with their furrowed brows.

But I guess that just proves what a lazy-bones nitwit I can be.

PS. And for those in a betting mood, odds on the names for the recently-born British prince are, according to The Telegraph:

George, the name of Prince William’s great-grandfather, King George VI, became favourite with odds of 2/1 being offered by Paddy Power.
James, with odds of 5/2, Alexander, at 8/1, Richard, at, 9/1, Louis, at 11/1, and Henry with odds of 12/1, followed it in the top five favourites.
Outside bets are for Boris, at 100/1, Simon and Lloyd, both 125/1, and you can get odds of 250/1 on the royal baby being named Wayne.

"Prince Wayne" has a ring to it, but a late-afternoon announcement made it official with "George."