tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592994284096434432.post4711482349098924154..comments2024-02-11T11:30:09.490+00:00Comments on pfgpowell: Assagne ‘hounding’: it’s all about ‘freedom of speech’? Pull the other onepfg powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407148810847119242noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592994284096434432.post-39955179384557761352019-05-24T22:17:14.947+01:002019-05-24T22:17:14.947+01:00Well, as the poster (this is my blog) I have to as...Well, as the poster (this is my blog) I have to ask you a question or two, mainly - and this is a ‘neutral’ question - why do you think I might now see things differently?<br /><br />I make several points, in fact quite a few. In no particular order: Bradley, now Chelsea Manning was something of a patsy. He is now out of jail (thank goodness) but looks to be set for more trouble. But there could be a case to be made that he was out of his depth when, for whatever reasons, he leaked all the confidential stuff to Wikileaks. I did and still do ask: where is the breast-beating for Chelsea. Comparatively quiet, I suggest.<br /><br />I don’t know Assange and neither, I assume do you, so we are working from the same base. From where I sit and what I have gathered about the man he seems to be something of a narcissist. Of course, that can’t, prima facie, have any bearing on what he might have to say, but it does indicate that his banging the drum for freedom and democracy might possibly be less pure than it seems.<br /><br />Then there is the question of the sex assault claims made by two Swedish women. Any such claims must be examined and responded to. In a democratic country such as Sweden which we assume still obeys the rule of law Assange should have presented himself to answer and counter the claims. If he was innocent the chances are that would be established. if not . . . he should answer to the charges.<br /><br />But it goes further than that. We are led to believe that Assange feared the charges were somehow politically motivated and that once in Sweden the US would apply for his extradition. Perhaps. And perhaps not. As a country which gave refuge to a several Vietnam war US refugee serviceman, it is perhaps a stretch to suggest Sweden would play the US’s game.<br /><br />You don’t, I see, respond in any way to my comment that the ability of ambassadors and their staff to speak candidly in what they assume are confidential exchanges with their governments - whether that government is the US, British, Swedish, Russian, Chinese, Iranian or anyone else - is crucial. That is their job, whether what they have to say is flattering to their host nation or not. That is why they are there, for god’s sake. What about their ‘freedom of speech’, their ability to speak honestly and candidly? Do you discount that freedom of their just because they are employed by the government?<br /><br />Just how did revealing those candid exchanges between embassies and governments in any way assist anyone who might be thought by - I’m assuming you, too - people of a ‘liberal bent’ to be assisting anyone? The more you examine that question, the more spurious Wikileak’s achievement appears. Tell me, what are you views on that?<br /><br />The US wants its revenge on Assange: are you surprised? Why? You really should flesh out your comment that ‘the poster of this post might see things differently’. What are your view on Assange? Do you think he is a victim? A hero? Please tell me, and I DO mean that I am far more interested in a dialogue than you might think. But you must respond. <br /><br />pfg powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17407148810847119242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592994284096434432.post-76910238797324044112019-05-24T21:33:06.204+01:002019-05-24T21:33:06.204+01:00Now a few years later, the poster of this post may...Now a few years later, the poster of this post may see things a little differently, I hope.Björnnoreply@blogger.com