[slackline]

[superfurrymonkey]

Gareth Porter, Investigative Journalist and Ray McGovern, Retired CIA Analyst discuss Wikileaks.
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=5968

[Jaspersharpe]

The more sinister aspect of all this is the actions of PayPal, Visa, Mastercard etc stopping taking donations to Wikileaks.

Not at all if their c&C bods were advised that they might be funding a criminal enterprise (the threashold is low q.v our money laundering regs) then this is their only option; they can't afford not to cease & desiste etc.

PayPal have confirmed that they received a threatening letter from the US government and this is why they shut down donations. Of what has Wikileaks (or anyone associated with running it) actually been convicted to be classed as a criminal enterprise?

This isn't about legals it's about pressure and influence.

Interesting article about the DDoS attacks and Twitter / Facebook here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/technology/09net.html?_r=2&hp

[superfurrymonkey]

The vicious intimidation campaign against WikiLeaks is wrong, dangerous and undermines the rule of law. Top US politicians have branded WikiLeaks a terrorist organization, and urged corporations to shut it down. Commentators have suggested assassinating its staff.

The future of our freedoms and the Internet is at stake. Let's urgently take a stand to ensure governments and companies act with restraint and due process, not escalate this fight.

Sign the petition to stop the crackdown -- we can reach 1 million voices this week
http://www.avaaz.org/en/wikileaks_petition/95.php?CLICKTF

[galpinos]

I'm undecided about Wikileaks.

On one hand, I like the idea of everything being open and above board but on the other hand don't think "diplomacy" can really work if it's all done out in the open.

Add to that nothing that has been leaked is that much of a shock and Julien Assange comes across as a cock.

[Bubba]

but on the other hand don't think "diplomacy" can really work if it's all done out in the open.

You mean countries can't lie to one another properly

[galpinos]

Bubba,

In a way, yes.

On the Guardian Q&A, a formor diplomat put forward a question:

JAnthony
Julian.
I am a former British diplomat. In the course of my former duties I helped to coordinate multilateral action against a brutal regime in the Balkans, impose sanctions on a renegade state threatening ethnic cleansing, and negotiate a debt relief programme for an impoverished nation. None of this would have been possible without the security and secrecy of diplomatic correspondence, and the protection of that correspondence from publication under the laws of the UK and many other liberal and democratic states. An embassy which cannot securely offer advice or pass messages back to London is an embassy which cannot operate. Diplomacy cannot operate without discretion and the
protection of sources. This applies to the UK and the UN as much as the US.
In publishing this massive volume of correspondence, Wikileaks is not highlighting specific cases of wrongdoing but undermining the entire process of diplomacy. If you can publish US cables then you can publish UK telegrams and UN emails.
My question to you is: why should we not hold you personally responsible when next an international crisis goes unresolved because diplomats cannot function.

Julian Assange:
If you trim the vast editorial letter to the singular question actually asked, I would be happy to give it my attention.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/dec/03/julian-assange-wikileaks

[mark s]

At first I didn't agree with wikileaks as I thought it will affect national relations and the way the war was being carried out.but since our government has locked him up on more than likely fake rape claims,I'm backing him now.wrong how an inocent man can be locked up.

[slackline]

[philo]

Wonder if I went to Sweden and had sex with a lady *without a condom* I would also have such a high bail, no access to my lawyer until the day before I was to appear in court.

[tomtom]

I suspect there will be a long running shit fest of wrong doing, claims, counter claims and legal action over this. Its fucking daft thinking he'll abscond - where would he go to! Panama offered him sanctury a few weeks ago until the US came down heavy on them...

Personally I think things like Wikileaks are essential balance to keep govts on their toes - to make sure they are doing (or at least appear to be doing) things correctly...

From what I've read - the sex crime allegations seem genuine - though similar crimes don't seem to exist in the UK. Doesnt mean you have to lock somone up in solitary with no access to his legal team... Also some interesting stories from lawyers questioning his legal team - they are media/rights lawyers rather than ones with extradition expertise. I suspect thats been tightened up now...

See what happens tomorrow afternoon when the appeal against the appeal starts... 

[SA Chris]

I don't even think he's real, it's just Julian Sands' latest role.

[Paul B]

I don't even think he's real, it's just Julian Sands' latest role.

Anyone else seeing the striking resemblance to Jaspersharpe?

[slackline]

 

[Jaspersharpe]

Here we fucking go again.

[SA Chris]

Julian Jasper Julian. Must be something in it.

[robertostallioni]

NSFW  :

get in

[superfurrymonkey]

He's been granted bail http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/decision-day-for-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-2161911.html 

[slackline]

 

[superfurrymonkey]

Barbaric treatment of a human being 
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/assange-begins-mansion-arrest-but-his-source-feels-the-heat-2163607.html

[Dr T]

My opinion for what it's worth
he's either
i) being set up
ii) such an egotist he thinks he's untouchable
and I'm sitting firmly on the fence in between
 

[tomtom]

Having read the leaked details of the complaints against Assange.. I would summarise that

1. He is an egotist
2. He has some behavioural issues with women (this may be an understatement - he's no prince charming..)
3. I dont get the impression these allegations are being trumped up (though how they are being dealt with may be externally influenced)

#1 doesnt really surprise me - as to keep something like wikileaks going under all this pressure I think you probably need to be very single minded/arrogant/have high levels of self belief..

So, he may be an arrogant wanker who I wouldnt want to leave in the same room as MrsTT for too long, BUT I think he's doing something really important and its important that he carries on doing that (the wikileaks thing of course!)

[SA Chris]

Apparently he's just told the world Chewbacca is actually gay.

It was on the wookieleaks website.

[slackline]

Apparently he's just told the world Chewbacca is actually gay.

It was on the wookieleaks website.

The Chewbacca defense?

[SA Chris]

I'd forgotten about that.