It's regrettable that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has to stay in jail. Or be in jail for that matter.
He's been making governments nervous, apparently. When I heard this on the news last night I couldn't help but think, "Good."
It reminded me how whenever we lose some bit of freedom in the interest of anti-terrorism someone invariably responds that if we don't have anything to hide, then we have nothing to fear.
Clearly, governments have something to hide.
I suspect it has little to do with their sacred mission to keep the world safe. In fact, it is in a government's best interest to ramp up the fear while simultaneously reassuring us they're doing everything they can to maintain a secure, safe world.
The sex charges against Assange seem a bit convenient. They appeared the last time his site made a big splash, then all was quiet. Now that there've been more leaks suddenly the sex charges are important again.
Coincidence?
This brings me to the point I wanted to make.
Something bothered me about this the first time the charges became known. I apologize for my sketchy details and even sketchier memory but something similar happened here several years ago.
A fellow, Polish immigrant if memory serves, said he'd been recruited by and was an agent of CSIS. I think the agency was responsible for getting settled in Canada and I believe his agency work took place in Europe.
His first name was similar to Richard (but with an ethnic spelling) and I think his surname began with "P."
I cannot remember what happened, and my internet research skills fail me, but whatever it was went public, and CSIS disavowed all knowledge of him.
At the same time he was brought up on a sexual assault charges. The alleged victim was a young man, I think no more than 20.
Interestingly, when the Court day rolled around the victim did not show up.
I wonder, when Assange has his day in Court in Sweden will his alleged victims be there?
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13 comments:
He certainly has captured the world's attention and I believe Time Magazine.
David, he has. And good for him.
It seemed rather good timing to me also, Leah.
"if we don't have anything to hide, then we have nothing to fear."
Ahem. This should be reworded: "If we're not perceived as a threat, we have nothing to fear."
Good to know I'm not alone, Reb.
Ron, I never thought of it that way, but you make a good point.
It's a fascinating scenario in any case.
You got that right, Betty.
Let's hope we never see the end of people trying to get to the bottom of what governments are really up to. In his case, I hope he can continue doing it.
Messymimi, I couldn't agree more. No government should be getting away with anything.
The timing of the sexual assault charges did seem rather convenient.
Funnily enough, I started a blog post about this matter last night (until my internet died... sigh) but I was going to focus on the ridiculousness of the contemplation of charges against the gov't official (his name escapes me right this moment, and I am afraid to stop to look it up in case my internet dies again!) who jokingly said something about assassinating Assange. It all boils down to the same thing, doesn't it? None of us are allowed to do or say anything that may offend someone, or cause embarrassment, or even, heaven forbid, be the truth! Sheesh.
Bag Lady, I hope we get to read your post about the fellow who called for the assassination. (Can't recall it right now either.)
The more we talk about WikiLeaks et al the better.
Truth is stranger than fiction. It really makes you wonder what the world is coming to...we've been saying that for decades and it's truer now than ever before.
Good post, Leah.
Yes it is, Cheryl. Thanks.
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