WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrested in Britain: UK police

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   pisean282311posted 13 years ago

   assange arrested...your views on that?..is he being wrongly framed?

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   Toby Hansenposted 13 years ago

   Absolutely disgraceful. RIP freedom of speech.
   Time to stop buying UK and Swedish products.

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      CMHypnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What is stopping buying UK and Swedish product going to achieve? Ordinary European and British people have got nothing to do with this. He has been arrested for suspected sex crimes in Sweden - not a lot the British police can do other than act on the arrest warrant that has been issued

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   CMHypnoposted 13 years ago

   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40544697/ns … _security/
   
   He's been arrested on suspicion of commiting sexual crimes in Sweden - not because of Wikileaks directly.
   
   Whether this is a fit up to get him into police custody I don't know???

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   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   RIP freedom of speach
   
   The sex crimes sound totally contrived, conspiracy theory time it seems

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   foreignpressposted 13 years ago

   Much depends on the perspective. At the moment, Assange is holding the United States hostage with threats of very damaging leaks. The BBC says tens of thousands Assange supporters are ready to unleash documents more damaging than the others if their mentor is harmed. Is this journalism at its finest? Or is this blackmail? And then the sex charges: two different women in two separate encounters. They did take their time coming forward. Are they seeking blood money from Assange or have they been bought by a powerful country? So many questions and so few answers. Considering the man's character I think he's guilty.

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      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Considering the man's character I think he's guilty.?..what makes you conclude that?

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         foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         If Assange had targeted China, or Russia, Iran or North Korea I might have a bit more respect for the man. Instead he literally handed terrorists a list of quality targets that would disarm the U.S. and the free world. One foul act begets another. What's interesting is that Time is considering Assange as "Person of the Year." Time also named Hitler Man of the Year in 1938. There seems to be a pattern here.

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      CMHypnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Whatever the ins and outs of the matter, he needs to go and answer the charges
      
      As he is so keen on exposing other people's lives, he needs to be totally tranparent in his don't you think
      
      Also, I think that there is a big difference between free speech and stealing other people's communications and files and releasing them to the public on mass
      
      After all, how would any of us like it if someone hacked our email accounts and files and published them without permission
      
      Are people in the public eye really not allowed any privacy in their communications? Do we really think that they don't gossip, bicker and make rude comments about the people they work with like most people do in their working lives?
      
      I'm not saying that there aren't issues about having access to information in the public interest in some cases, but I don't think that Wikileaks is the way to go around it

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         kirstenblogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         It's a good thing I am not in any position of power, that my emails and phone calls don't effect the lives of millions. If my emails and such were of a nature that I could make or break the lives of others then yes they would be fair game to those who are effected by my decisions.

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            pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            hmmm...true...

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               foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Not exactly. In the rarified air of international diplomacy, information is gathered that prevents one country from gaining an advantage. That's the way it is and it will never change. In many respects we're still fighting the Cold War. Russia's Putin, for example, is ex-KGB and ruthless. Venezuela's Chavez and Iran's Ahmadi-nejad would sink the U.S. if they could. This is not a game. In the real world we don't strum guitars and sing Kumbaya. It's like preventing somebody from cutting your throat -- but being civil about it.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            How does it help anyone to expose building that could be targeted by terrorists in Canada if they knew about them?

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               kirstenblogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I have to say, I am unaware of what buildings you are referring to. I have however seen many reports and shows about how a terrorist attack could be done in spite of the protections in place that always seemed a bit stupid to show and test for a tv show. I somehow thing the problem with these leaks is the gossip stuff that has embarrassed the politicians and revealed their true feelings. I don't have sympathy for them being caught insulting this leader or being exposed to engage in say wars they don't think they have a chance of winning. I would like to know what secrets were revealed that actually are dangerous as opposed to embarrassing. It sounds like you may have heard of that type of secret but I have not

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               Don Wposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               But didn't a US general say the cables did not contain any intelligence? Clearly they don't, but I think he meant security intelligence. Can't have it both ways, either the leaks did contain security intelligence or they didn't.

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                  foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  The cables just make the terrorists' jobs that much easier. It's like being handed a shopping list of primary targets that will have the most effect. This way terrorists don't have to do their own homework. They simply go to Wiki- for the next day's hit.

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         Toby Hansenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Assange did NOT steal anything. The 250 000 odd cables were stolen by an American marine/soldier.
         Even the Chinese Govt had access to these documents before they were "stolen"  by the marine.
         And what about all the newspapers that have been printing the "leaks"? Where are the calls from US politicians for the editors of these publications to be shot?
         You do not seriously believe that the "Sex crime" allegations are anything but a ploy by the US govt to to what they do best and bully other countries into carrying out their every whim?

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            foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            The sex crime allegations have yet to be proven. And the women could have exchanged information and decided this would be a nice payoff and decide to "settle." You bring up a good point about media printing the leaks. Where does responsible journalism begin and end? It seems everybody hates the United States -- even its own people. And this may be the downfall of a great country.

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               foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               BTW, how is Wikileaks funded? Nobody seems to know and Assange won't say. It's ironic that Wikileaks also has secrets.

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                  Toby Hansenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I do not blame him for not revealing his benefactors. With the White House's persecution of Assange, imagine what they would do to the donors!

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                     foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Yes, that's fair. Assange can have secrets but the U.S. can't have secrets. Makes perfect sense.  And evil America must be brought to its knees so we can all feel better about ourselves.

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               Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               A good point about the responsible journalism that hints at a wider problem - if journalists still did their job, maybe there would have been no need for Wikileaks. Investigative journalism is a dying art and most media outlets seem to be more interested in serving outside interests rather than trying to uncover truth.
               
               US journalists used to be envied throughout the world, as the guardians of free speech - I see few that inspire, nowadays. Because the Fourth Estate is not working, it is little surprise that citizen journalism is growing in influence.
               
               As for hating the US - In Greece, people like the US but absolutely detest the CIA and associated bodies. I suspect that may be the case for many other people.
               
               The implications by Krauthammer et al., that 'something' should happen to him, are disgraceful. A Greek journalist was assassinated on his doorstep a few months ago - that is not a good road to travel down

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   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   Lets look at it this way, in a relationship would you say that your emails with your secret lover with whom you are having an affair are a secret and should not be viewed? If you have nothing to hide you are less bothered about emails being viewed and are instead rightly concerned about the lack of trust.
   
   As it stands it would seem our government is having an affair and is not concerned about our lack of trust but rather that their dirty little secrets be aired.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

   I don't believe the sex crimes but I also don't believe he is a hero.

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   Dale Nelsonposted 13 years ago

   It definitely smells of conpiracy. Wonder what the extradition is from Sweden to US.Perhaps this is the reason for the two cases of sex crimes. The servers seem to keep jumping every few days to Bolivia and Switzerland etc. Seems they always a step ahead in order to keep the site up and running.
   
   I wonder why the Brits keep sending back the warrant for corrections. What do they care. Maybe he has surrendered in exchange for the assistance. He wasnt arrested by being caught. It seems like a deal made with the UK Govt and his attorney.
   
   Alot more to it I think.

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      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      might be...

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   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   Anyone actually hear of any real shocking and surprising secrets from all this? The gossip I have heard reported is not hugely shocking or surprising really (maybe the good stuff has not been revealed yet and will buy this guy his freedom back)
   
   

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      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      

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    Flightkeeperposted 13 years ago

    They found him? Good. Let the prosecutions begin and see what's really going on.

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       pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       well they have got him for case not related to leaks...

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          Flightkeeperposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Even if it is not related to leaks, he has been accused of sexual assault and should be brought to charges.  If it's proven that he's innocent of the charges then he can be sent to the US to face the charges regarding to leaks.

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             Uninvited Writerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             You know? I think this is the first time we have agreed on something

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             pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

             he can be sent to the US to face the charges regarding to leaks....guess then china would call for violation of human rights by usa

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    rotlposted 13 years ago

    I think the sex crimes charges are phony. I don't necessarily agree with what he and wikileaks are doing, but he is clearly being persecuted. But I am not surprised, he has made enemies in very high places. I'm surprised he isn't dead yet.

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    Don Wposted 13 years ago

    What's next in the Wikileaks saga? An attack on one of the buildings mentioned in the cables? Wouldn't surprise me.
    
    Such an attack would of course not have anything to do with the CIA, nor any of its sister agencies, nor any of the shady associates they use to do things they'd rather not do themselves.
    
    (I'm sure the words Wikileaks, terrorist, attack, US government and CIA would usually set off a red flag somewhere, but the NSA and GCHQ must be overwhelmed right now. If not, then hello Mr or Ms data analyst how are you? I am not a terrorist. Please don't surveil me. (p.s I was intending to pay that parking fine tomorrow). God bless america, long live the queen etc.)

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       Toby Hansenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       What's next in the Wikileaks saga? An attack on one of the buildings mentioned in the cables? Wouldn't surprise me.
       
       You could be right, but surely the US Government can only get away with attacking their own cities once in a decade?

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    iantoPFposted 13 years ago

    Wikileaks is funded by private donations just as Wikimedia is. Pay-Pal, Visa and master card have all pulled their contracts with wikileaks so people are being asked to donate by bank transfer. Pressure is being put on the banks to stop that method of funding also.
    Private Bradley Manning, the soldier accused of stealing the files, was the victim of bullying and harrassment. Apparently the method used was quite simple and, if true, shows a serious lack of security where national secrets are concerned. It is assumed that he walked into work with a Lady GaGa CD. While at work he is accused of erasing the contents of the CD then downloading the files onto it. Walking out with what was apparently a harmless CD.
    Is Assange guilty of the rape and molestation charges? I sincerely doubt it. Should he be brought to answer for releasing the information he was given? Probably not. Should private Manning be held accountable? probably should, he broke a trust.
    Do they both fear for their lives? yes. That last is what is most disturbing for "Civilized" humanity in the 21st century. We should be better than that.

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       foreignpressposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       The private donations, by themselves, do not account for all of Wiki's funding; nor would these donations pay for the expertise and hardware needed to crack cyberfile codes. There's more to it. Which is why Assange is so tight-lipped about it. But this does bring up a larger question: What is Assange's intent? Why is he targeting the United States when other countries are obviously more cruel especially on civil rights issues? There's something much deeper here -- like Assange being on somebody's payroll. Russia perhaps?

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          Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I fully agree with you about other countries - I would love it if somebody uploaded some revealing documents about the cesspit of corruption that is Greek politics, especially concerning the previous government. There are many skeletons there

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    christiansisterposted 13 years ago

    I think it is all so sad that World Leaders have so many "Skeletons in the Closets" that they could be held hostage to the truth by one little man.

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       christiansisterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It is my opinion that All Countries (no matter how poorly they are perceived or how dastardly they are run are still filled with many .....
       
       Mothers who love and care for their families.
       
       Fathers who work hard to make a life for their families.
       
       Children who just want to live and have fun.
       
       Grandparents who worry about the state of affairs for their families.
       
       Adults who work to make a better life for themselves and others.
       
       People who cry when they are hurt.
       
       Lovers who dream of a new future.
       
       Artists who live to inspire.
       
       Scientists who yearn to Discover.
       
       Doctors who strive to heal.
       
       Friends who love and support one another.
       
       And these people do not make the decisions that we have to live with the consequences of.
       
       No Government can portray the people whose hearts beat within it.
       
       And unfortunately we are left feeling powerless to change it.

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    Singular Investorposted 13 years ago

    My prediction - now that he's been locked up in solitary confinement in London he will never see Sweden, he will go straight to the USA on espionage charges and the 'rape' allegations will be dropped - meanwhile there are proposals that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 - http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/de … CMP=twt_gu - he has of course been 'stitched up like a kipper' and his lawyers are  disgrace for letting him walk into such a mess

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