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In reply to the discussion: Julian Assange bids to sue Julia Gillard for defamation over WikiLeaks comments [View all]freshwest
(53,661 posts)They seem to be highly opinionated, often with snarks and accusations. Link says:
The US claims to lead the world in freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the role these play as the foundations of democratic government. These freedoms do not die when governments feel threatened or are embarrassed by the publication of information. As Justices Stewart and White famously said, "the only effective restraint upon executive policy and power in the areas of national defence and international affairs may lie in an enlightened citizenry in an informed and critical public opinion which alone can here protect the values of democratic government".
Governments feeling threatened and embarrassed? As if they have feelings, or something?
A parliamentary government can be said to be 'falling' or overturned' or 'disbanding.' The USA's government is not so easily moved to action and seems incapable of being threatened or embarrassed by anything whatsoever. It takes elections to change anything, not public opinion, informed or not.
I'm not being facetious. Do you see why so many of these passionate appeals don't seem to be working to end the stalemate?
It appears that no one is going to budge, nor are they going to take action. No matter what the media says.