Thread: Wikileaks vs US

Originally Posted by SpecialInterests

Apparently Julian Assange could be turning himself into swedish authorities as soon as tomorrow (Dec 7). You know, to be questioned about the alleged sex crimes. I have a feeling they might be asking him about some other things too. I'm interested to see what happens.

His lawyer was trying to contact the authorities but there was no response, as the whole rape thing was used as a huge ad hominem attack (it would have been cleared up like a usual case if it wasn't). The actual police report basically said Assange slept with two women in Sweden (one who offered to let him stay at her home, the other was a bit obsessed with him -- no rape involved), unprotected at some point, and they were upset that he didn't get tested for STDs and such later on. The case was dismissed then re-admitted because the women felt like they were being ignored.

That being said, the republican outcry has been pretty nuts. Anyone they don't agree with is a terrorist now.

Originally Posted by cygnus

That being said, the republican outcry has been pretty nuts. Anyone they don't agree with is a terrorist now.

Why is it that we let ourselves be pulled around by the old "no its those guy's fault" tactic? We are able to see that some bullshit is going on and that the wool is being pulled over our eyes, but we still fall for the same divide and conquer routine. Republican and democrat has nothing to do with anything. They are all doing the same stuff. Obama is actively pushing for wikileaks to be shut down just the same as his republican counterparts. They are all equally to blame. As long as we continue to allow ourselves to be divided along lateral party lines, we will remain blind to the top/bottom separation that is always going on under the surface.

As far as I know, the rape laws in sweden are pretty redicilous (false identy and no use of a condom can theoretically constitute as rape while on the other hand actual cases that don't show physical abuse are often dismissed?), which 1. explains the high rape numbers, 2. makes it hard to actually proscetute the majority of the actual rape cases and 3. gives room for laughable smear campaigns like this one.

I read that somewhere, I might be wrong... I can't find a sufficient source at the moment. Someone enlighten me?

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Why is it that we let ourselves be pulled around by the old "no its those guy's fault" tactic? We are able to see that some bullshit is going on and that the wool is being pulled over our eyes, but we still fall for the same divide and conquer routine. Republican and democrat has nothing to do with anything. They are all doing the same stuff. Obama is actively pushing for wikileaks to be shut down just the same as his republican counterparts. They are all equally to blame. As long as we continue to allow ourselves to be divided along lateral party lines, we will remain blind to the top/bottom separation that is always going on under the surface.

Yes, absolutely - but that wasn't what I meant. I think Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin and their responses to this are repugnant but I don't see this divided by party lines. I'm not surprised by Obama's response, either; he called for transparency during his campaign but it would be naive to really expect that at this point. As far as I know, Ron Paul and Noam Chomsky have been the more outspoken defenders of Wikileaks.

I'm curious, can the US prosecute him at all? He's not a citizen and the "crime" didn't take place on US soil.

No they have no legal jurisdiction over Assange

Originally Posted by Irken

No they have no legal jurisdiction over Assange

They might be able to charge him for espionage. I think it's possible, but I'm not too sure since I don't know much about US laws.

Originally Posted by Irken

It is my belief that a rational and responsible American public needs to be represented. I am sick of the American public being perceived as a collective group of mentally challenged numpties with no opinion of their own, and ignorant of things going on in the world. Schools only seem to pacify the civilians to be, by encouraging us all to become productive drones in the corporate empires that rule the land of the free. The American dream is a lie that seems to be perpetuated by those that would like us to be content with the outrages our government commits each day. All we can say is, "Nothing I can do about it" and there. Not our problem, it's the government's. Yet the government is the very problem. How many ridiculous government funded committees are there! And the war on drugs is ridiculous with ad campaigns like above the influence. Just legalize the pot already and cut down crime coming across the border dramatically. Then maybe they can focus on the harmful drugs like heroin. I see ads all the time about not smoking pot. Yet there is nothing informing me or other teens about what heroin can do to you or what meth is and how much it has torn communities apart. I've had enough of this pacification. I am outraged! I'm not gonna go on the streets yelling "Obama is hitler" either. Though I think I represent a large amount of Americans when I say I want a candidate that isn't democrat or republican. They both have screwed us over the years and they both perpetuate this bogus two party system that has only oppressed us. Screw the parties! I don't care what party a candidate is apart of as long as I can actually be represented. Again and again we have been promised change yet NOTHING changes. They keep covering up stupid things and it only embarrasses all of America that we would elect such morons. Yet is it really our fault. We have the choice between two idiots. Either way an idiot gets elected. There needs to be a movement for actual change in America, not led by some candidate hoping to rack in votes but by honest, hard-working Americans!

Originally Posted by Snowboy

Got troll?

Well It's gonna be interesting to see where this goes. I know the U.S. government is capable of stopping him one way or another. If they really wanted to. As for stopping wikileaks, that'd be much harder. After all if Assange isn't around to keep wikileaks going I know someone else will step up to the plate, probably.

Originally Posted by Spartiate

I'm curious, can the US prosecute him at all? He's not a citizen and the "crime" didn't take place on US soil.

It'd be like Saudi Arabia executing an American woman for wearing a low cut top.

Originally Posted by Xei

It'd be like Saudi Arabia executing an American woman for wearing a low cut top.

Well, now, it's still espionage on the US government. Even though it didn't take place in the US, it's still espionage. Again, I'm not completely sure about this, so please tell me if you know otherwise.