Opinion: Is Julian Assange’s paranoia getting the better of him? (Digital Journal)

[struggle4progress]

In the Media
4 hours ago by Michael Cosgrove

... We are treated to a cozy attempt at scene-setting which is worthy of a Woman’s Own interview of George Clooney. “Sitting in front of a log fire, his Apple MacBook Pro perched on his lap” (they call this “living under virtual house arrest” remember) Assange begins what are some very strange and confused ramblings indeed.

He considers it to be "politically impossible" for Britain to extradite him to the United States on charges of espionage, and that the final word on his fate if he were charged would rest with David Cameron. Excuse me if I haven’t understood something here, but if he says the final word rests with Cameron that must mean that it is “politically possible” for him to be extradited and not the opposite, mustn’t it?

No matter because he goes on to contradict himself in confusing terms by claiming that "Legally the UK has the right to not extradite for political crimes. Espionage is the classic case of political crimes. It is at the discretion of the UK government as to whether to apply to that exception." So it’s politically impossible but Cameron can make a political decision and it’s at the government’s discretion whether he is extradited. Confused? Don’t worry, you are not the only one ...

All that said, it mustn’t be forgotten that we are talking about a situation which doesn’t exist, and even The Guardian felt obliged to drag us back to reality with a reminder that “there is no evidence of any imminent US move to indict him.” One could arguably be forgiven for having forgotten that detail ...

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301731

[Name removed]

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[struggle4progress]

4. Here are my Editorials threads today and why I think they're interesting:

U.S. government over-classifies
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577807
This long-standing objection, by open-government advocates, remains valid

Rao defends secrecy of 'privileged communication'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577832
The notion of quiet and privileged diplomatic communications is well-established under international law. As Rao points out correctly, the US cables are routinely declassified after a period of time; in fact, if you look at the Wikileaks releases, you'll typically see declassification dates on the cables; and a number of organizations regularly collect and compile interesting declassified US cables

Yes, Julian Assange actually is a criminal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577810
The most interesting comment here is "Legitimate news organizations do not withhold stolen government secrets so that their publishers or editors can blackmail government prosecutors" -- which seems to me correct and directly reflects on Assange's claim to be a journalist. An underlying and related issue is the question of the effects of a mass release of unredacted cables in the "nuclear file"

Norwegian paper says it has all WikiLeaks cables
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577804
An issue here is whether wikileaks has, or has not, effectively "released" 250K cables. I have no idea whether Aftenpost has all the cables -- but if it does then one should probably take the view that all the cables will shortly be widely available in unredacted form, which may have implications for a large swatch of the US diplomatic corps and might affect the ability of the Obama administration to conduct foreign policy

A few things to keep in mind about the WikiLeaks cables
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577814
I had missed the Pakistani stories based on faked "wikileaks" releases. With some 250K pages of cables allegedly available, and claims from Aftenposten to have all the cables, stories like the Pakistani stories seem likely to become more common and will probably gain currency

Congress fails to pass whistle-blower rights bill
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577835
Supporters of wikileaks often argue that they are supporting open-government. The reactionary backlash, however, may actually reduce opportunities for open-government

Is Julian Assange’s paranoia getting the better of him?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x577838
According to the article, wikileaks will be sharing the US cables with more organizations, which gives the Aftenposten claims some credibility. I have no idea whether the US will charge Assange -- but some of his claims in this regard have been strange, notably the claim that the US might assassinate him. It certainly could, of course, be the case that various interests are working to make him paranoid

WikiLeaks' Assange paid 66,000 euros in 2010
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=103&topic_id=577838&mesg_id=577839
This is a story in the news today. It's not a huge salary but it's a substantial salary for someone allegedly doing public interest work. It's also of interest, given Assange's reported book deal

[wtmusic]

2. Michael Cosgrove is a moron.

Legally it is possible. It may be enough of a political liability for David Cameron to make it impossible - from a practical standpoint.

Yes Michael, I think you *are* the only one is who is confused. :crazy:

[bemildred]

9. Indeed, and a tool.

Mr Assange has plenty of sound reasons to think someone is after him, and I haven't heard him express a ridiculous idea yet, though I know there are plenty of people in high places who wish they could shut him up.

[Echotrail]

10. Another of MC's articles claims the WikiLeaks story is "over."

He used it in a headline as if it's fact. I think it may be wishful thinking by a lot of people but it is far from over. Bigger revelations are yet to come and thank goodness.

If there's a drawback to citizen journalism it's that narcissists get a platform and people listen if they can string two words together.

[Autumn]

3. No. He should be paranoid. n/t

[Webster Green]

5. It isn't paranoia if they really are out to get you.

WTF?! :eyes:

[pscot]

6. Virtual arrest?

He's in the belly of the beast; Jonah inside the whale. He'd be crazy if he wasn't paranoid.

[midnight]

8. NO kidding.... And the fire and loveliness of the interior is because

some very generous, and very financially successful person has opened up his/her home to Julian.

[Name removed]

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