Great essay! The wretched treatment of Julian Assange really separates libertarians from republicans. Let this man go! He's providing a much-needed public service to those who object to unlimited government power. The first amendment is increasingly unpopular to those who like to sleepwalk.
Among those who recently died in prison you forgot Gonzalo Lira, US citizen living in Ukraine, who talked honestly about what he saw there. He was arrested, imprisoned, and died in prison of various untreated medical conditions (reportedly) in December. No US official lifted a finger to ask for his release or to speak in his behalf. But again, his only crime was telling the truth to the world when the governors of that world hate anyone who says that white is actually white and black is really black.
Reminds me of the (misattributed?) Orwell quote: "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." True enough, whether he said it or not...
In some ways I must have been one of the sleep walkers. I have never really look at Julian Assange as an American hero or for that matter as a person who is a defender of the human race. My thought was that he hated America….why else would he do such a thing to his fellow citizens. This essay really changes my thought and self examination process and how important it is to wake from our slumber because the time is short. Great writing! We certainly need more of this.
Thanks so much for your honest feedback, Mr. Overall. I certainly don’t expect (much less desire!) everyone to agree with everything I write, but it is a mark of the educated mind to be able to question one’s position and to change one’s opinion when new information comes to light. Kudos to you and thanks for reading!
for over 45 years in US - Oz interactions at business/corporate levels for major US corporation the greatest fallacy is that Most Australians actually believe that the Yanks like Aussies .. yes the kind of 'like' is smiling as we beat US ego's from everything like America's Cup to Swimming, Golf etc with many brilliant innovations from F111 mods to keep them flying 40 years beyond there UBD and a list of many wonderful brilliant enhancements that is to long to publish here but when outside of the corporate board room negotiations, they just laugh at stupid Aussies as easy as sheep to *uckover! The last yank to care about Oz was MacArthur which is why QLD has more retired US military residents than anywhere else in Oz .. so play their game smile and then watch your back mate! The military buildup in northern Oz is much bigger than anyone knows and them is not Chinese troops .. although they do control the Darwin Port for another 96 years! when states 'rights' go wrong they do it very well eh what a stuff up!
Julian Assange is as you correctly state not an American hero. He is an Australian and did not do anything to harm his fellow citizens. I do not believe that he hated Americans. He hated what some American elite were doing and covering up and felt compelled to shine a light on these crimes. A reporter, investigative journalist, nothing more.
It reminds me of another enemy of the state, Osama bin Laden, who under orders of the US president received the death penalty without trial, his body dumped in the sea, who wrote in a letter to the citizens of America that he did not hate Americans, but hated what they did. After his death Obama said that justice had been served. I suppose Putin feels the same at learning of Navany's demise.
I mention these not because I share any of their ideologies, but only to show how easily we can slip in barbarism, the POTUS sanctioning extrajudicial killing.
Fantastic essay, Joel. I was pulling thoughts together to write an essay of my own on this topic, but I think you’ve relieved me of the need to do so. I couldn’t have said what I wanted to say any better than you just did.
Thank you kindly, good sir! Feel free to lift whatever you like from my scribbles, if you do end up penning something. The more essays in his defense – and the defense of a free press in general – the better. Cheers!
Joel, thank you for the excellent reminder... "the law" is not necessarily justice... we are seeing vivid examples of this real time in the cases against Trump in NY and elsewhere. True Americans, people who are committed to our Constitutional Republic, our Bill of Rights and who embrace our foundational principals as captured in these documents, are appalled at the actions of our government across a broad spectrum including the case of Assange. The military, intelligence and industrial complex no longer serves the American citizen... they serve only themselves. When someone exposes their wrong doing their knee jerk is to call for their destruction. For America to once again thrive certain power centers must be put on a path of decline, DC, NYC, San Fran (Big Tech) and the military/intelligence/industrial complex. Regrettably it is likely that Assange will die in prison and be martyred. Those with blood on their hands, not the least the many USG and UK actors, should consider that KARMA is a bitch. Their belief that they are in control is challenged by the numerous failures left in their wake; Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and soon enough Ukraine. Oh, not to mention a mountain of debt that is destined to bury us all.
Truth is imperfect in the temperament of humanity but true Joel in the hands of a dictating class that presumes greater knowledge is devilish for all. Great article!
Excellent work! Thank you for speaking up for freedom of expression and defending truth tellers like Julian Assange. I would like to offer one important correction. There is another (independent) presidential candidate by the name of Dr Cornel West, a philosophy professor and public intellectual who is another presidential contender vocally speaking up on behalf of Julian assange and all such truth tellers including those subjected to merciless treatment by the Russian state. West also spent time with Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK. People of varying political philosophies ought to be united in our appreciation for free speech given it's relationship to basic human liberty and truth.
Moreover, on what moral high ground do those who would condemn Mr. Assange to death stand when it comes to criticizing the way Mother Russia deals with her own briery dissidents?
There is no real reason for ANY United States person, even a politician in heat, to be making a statement against a killing in Russia while being willing to kill someone here for the same basic issue: He spoke out against the State. And the US has zero right to exercise dominion over the entire stinking planet when trying to prosecute someone who isn't even a US citizen for revealing what the State wanted to keep hidden. Especially when the US has a specific rule against crafting laws that criminalize speech and writing. I can't find any way to support any politician (or even a POS like Lt Col Ralph Peters [exposed as a real nut case by Tucker Carlson]) who undermines these freedoms. Such a person believes that the law is completely up to the person in charge, when said person has zero respect for the law. And very low respect for most other parts of life.
As for what the Turtle said: He has zero respect for the law also. And he's one of the main fools in charge of writing the law! But I will add: Where I live, there are many turtles that learn the hard way not to cross the roads.
Great essay! The wretched treatment of Julian Assange really separates libertarians from republicans. Let this man go! He's providing a much-needed public service to those who object to unlimited government power. The first amendment is increasingly unpopular to those who like to sleepwalk.
"The first amendment is increasingly unpopular to those who like to sleepwalk." Brilliant!
Among those who recently died in prison you forgot Gonzalo Lira, US citizen living in Ukraine, who talked honestly about what he saw there. He was arrested, imprisoned, and died in prison of various untreated medical conditions (reportedly) in December. No US official lifted a finger to ask for his release or to speak in his behalf. But again, his only crime was telling the truth to the world when the governors of that world hate anyone who says that white is actually white and black is really black.
Reminds me of the (misattributed?) Orwell quote: "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." True enough, whether he said it or not...
In some ways I must have been one of the sleep walkers. I have never really look at Julian Assange as an American hero or for that matter as a person who is a defender of the human race. My thought was that he hated America….why else would he do such a thing to his fellow citizens. This essay really changes my thought and self examination process and how important it is to wake from our slumber because the time is short. Great writing! We certainly need more of this.
Thanks so much for your honest feedback, Mr. Overall. I certainly don’t expect (much less desire!) everyone to agree with everything I write, but it is a mark of the educated mind to be able to question one’s position and to change one’s opinion when new information comes to light. Kudos to you and thanks for reading!
for over 45 years in US - Oz interactions at business/corporate levels for major US corporation the greatest fallacy is that Most Australians actually believe that the Yanks like Aussies .. yes the kind of 'like' is smiling as we beat US ego's from everything like America's Cup to Swimming, Golf etc with many brilliant innovations from F111 mods to keep them flying 40 years beyond there UBD and a list of many wonderful brilliant enhancements that is to long to publish here but when outside of the corporate board room negotiations, they just laugh at stupid Aussies as easy as sheep to *uckover! The last yank to care about Oz was MacArthur which is why QLD has more retired US military residents than anywhere else in Oz .. so play their game smile and then watch your back mate! The military buildup in northern Oz is much bigger than anyone knows and them is not Chinese troops .. although they do control the Darwin Port for another 96 years! when states 'rights' go wrong they do it very well eh what a stuff up!
Julian Assange is as you correctly state not an American hero. He is an Australian and did not do anything to harm his fellow citizens. I do not believe that he hated Americans. He hated what some American elite were doing and covering up and felt compelled to shine a light on these crimes. A reporter, investigative journalist, nothing more.
It reminds me of another enemy of the state, Osama bin Laden, who under orders of the US president received the death penalty without trial, his body dumped in the sea, who wrote in a letter to the citizens of America that he did not hate Americans, but hated what they did. After his death Obama said that justice had been served. I suppose Putin feels the same at learning of Navany's demise.
I mention these not because I share any of their ideologies, but only to show how easily we can slip in barbarism, the POTUS sanctioning extrajudicial killing.
Fantastic essay, Joel. I was pulling thoughts together to write an essay of my own on this topic, but I think you’ve relieved me of the need to do so. I couldn’t have said what I wanted to say any better than you just did.
Thank you kindly, good sir! Feel free to lift whatever you like from my scribbles, if you do end up penning something. The more essays in his defense – and the defense of a free press in general – the better. Cheers!
Great article, the saying (Truth will set you free) doesn't work when you step on the toes of corrupt
government officals.
Joel, thank you for the excellent reminder... "the law" is not necessarily justice... we are seeing vivid examples of this real time in the cases against Trump in NY and elsewhere. True Americans, people who are committed to our Constitutional Republic, our Bill of Rights and who embrace our foundational principals as captured in these documents, are appalled at the actions of our government across a broad spectrum including the case of Assange. The military, intelligence and industrial complex no longer serves the American citizen... they serve only themselves. When someone exposes their wrong doing their knee jerk is to call for their destruction. For America to once again thrive certain power centers must be put on a path of decline, DC, NYC, San Fran (Big Tech) and the military/intelligence/industrial complex. Regrettably it is likely that Assange will die in prison and be martyred. Those with blood on their hands, not the least the many USG and UK actors, should consider that KARMA is a bitch. Their belief that they are in control is challenged by the numerous failures left in their wake; Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and soon enough Ukraine. Oh, not to mention a mountain of debt that is destined to bury us all.
Truth is imperfect in the temperament of humanity but true Joel in the hands of a dictating class that presumes greater knowledge is devilish for all. Great article!
Wonderful essay from Joel.
Bloviating… what a great descriptive word. There’s WAY too much bloviating goin’ on.
good stuff my man!
Right on Joel !!
Excellent work! Thank you for speaking up for freedom of expression and defending truth tellers like Julian Assange. I would like to offer one important correction. There is another (independent) presidential candidate by the name of Dr Cornel West, a philosophy professor and public intellectual who is another presidential contender vocally speaking up on behalf of Julian assange and all such truth tellers including those subjected to merciless treatment by the Russian state. West also spent time with Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK. People of varying political philosophies ought to be united in our appreciation for free speech given it's relationship to basic human liberty and truth.
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.
JILL BIDEN STARTED OUT AS BABYSITTER FOR THE BIDEN'S AND NOW SHE IS BABY SITTER FOR THE BIDEN'S.
Moreover, on what moral high ground do those who would condemn Mr. Assange to death stand when it comes to criticizing the way Mother Russia deals with her own briery dissidents?
There is no real reason for ANY United States person, even a politician in heat, to be making a statement against a killing in Russia while being willing to kill someone here for the same basic issue: He spoke out against the State. And the US has zero right to exercise dominion over the entire stinking planet when trying to prosecute someone who isn't even a US citizen for revealing what the State wanted to keep hidden. Especially when the US has a specific rule against crafting laws that criminalize speech and writing. I can't find any way to support any politician (or even a POS like Lt Col Ralph Peters [exposed as a real nut case by Tucker Carlson]) who undermines these freedoms. Such a person believes that the law is completely up to the person in charge, when said person has zero respect for the law. And very low respect for most other parts of life.
As for what the Turtle said: He has zero respect for the law also. And he's one of the main fools in charge of writing the law! But I will add: Where I live, there are many turtles that learn the hard way not to cross the roads.
The truth will set you free..........permanently.....if you get my drift.
Sad.
Free to shuffle off this mortal coil. I get it
Joel, thank you for a great column.