I read about some obscure American Law from 1917 – that would allow Julian Assange to be tried in the U.S. as some kind of a war criminal – based on the Aussie’s “treasonous” actions; what with releasing all those “top secret” and “classified” documents on the Internet, and, by extension, to the entire world. So the U.S. wants this “fiend” extradited!
Fiend or hero? I was pleased to see Jon Stewart’s team follow up on this question…
I recalled a story one-of-my-clients, from way back in the Manuel Noriega days, told me about how the U.S. conducts itself in foreign affairs, particularly with enemies of our State. I read my local American newspapers when Papa Bush’s “buddy” was captured: the U.S. military reported approximately 175 civilian deaths in Operation Just Cause. My client told me that he was a member of a civilian fact-finding mission that went to Panama because of reports that U.S. Marines had killed 5000 Panamanian civilians (close to the total number of American deaths in Pearl Harbor AND 9/11) in the process of pulling Mr. Noriega out of Panama City. During his stay in Panama – my client reported that his team uncovered 14, relatively “fresh” mass graves – each holding about 200 bodies (the dead had been unceremoniously bulldozed into these graves [probably by Haliburton]).
And I can never forget the anguished anger of a Latino priest with whom I worked when he told me of the CIA-led death squads in Chile during the overthrow of Allende – he watched the brutal, American-sponsored slayings up close…
So, when WikiLeaks reports that some 30 Iraqis are killed on a daily basis – I have to wonder about a-couple-of-things: were this many Iraqis losing their lives while Saddam was in power; and, would such mortality rates exist in Iraq had the U.S. military not paid a visit?!
Now, all-the-talk is about our “homegrown” terrorists: who seemed to be “pumped up” by the F.B.I. I have to wonder if the 19-year-old arrested in Oregon, and the 21-year-old arrested in Baltimore would have done anything to anyone — if F.B.I. agents hadn’t groomed and prodded them to do so? From where I sit – these twain cases do seem like classic entrapment – like that female vice officer pushing and pushing to get you to request sex – when you might have been much happier keeping your face in your mug-of-beer.
I finally got a glimpse of Gary Trudeau (the creator of Doonesbury) on the Stephen Colbert Show last night. And, while I’ve sung the praises of both-of-these-men – I realized that Doonesbury has been relevant for forty years – and that Mr. Trudeau has had his stethoscope held to the heart of American politics like no other (I’m hoping that Stephen C – also garneres 40 years for himself). Congratulations!
So,I’m wondering how You respond to this whole WikiLeaks thing, Mr. Trudeau – because it seems like you’ve been secreting the very same information that WikiLeaks has been for forty years now?! Why haven’t you been arrested as an urban terrorist? Is it because your information is couched in comic-book characters – most sublime; like a fable?
Frank Oz outlined the idiocy of the American financial system in his Wizard of Oz – but very few people saw the analogy.
Julian Assange however, has seen through a great deal, apparently; and ,simply wishes to enlighten the world. If his work is a threat to American security, I suggest that we simply get back to our protectionist ways and days. Let’s withdraw our Pax Romana tentacles, and, stop making ourselves a target for every freedom fighter out there…let’s put on our coonskin hats and walk softly while carrying a big stick…