This blog explores the contemporary political and cultural trends from a distinct perspective
Ideas and Rhetoric in Assange
Published on March 22, 2011 By Bahu Virupaksha In Current Events

Julian Assange has become thge very symbol of political freedom and one can say that in this day and age, if there is one individual who has literally created history, then it is he. Having said that we must also admit that having known the wiles of the security sate that he decries so much, he would be percecuted. Today he stands virtually alone.  Abandoned even by the country of his birth--Australia. Britain and Sweden both countries that preach to the rest of the world the virtues of a free judiciary have suborned the freedom of the judicial process for petty politcal gain. Afteall, even our Lord and Saviour was tried before an independent judicialry of the then superpower--Roma Etherna.

In an interview with a newspaper whose link I have given, Julian Assange spelled out his political views and they did appear to be sophisticated. He is not an anarchist as the US media made him out to be nor is he bent on sensational journalism. He truly believes in the freedom of expression which this, the Cyber Age promises. He is vehemently opposed to the politics of Great Powers. Standing alongside Private Bradley Manning, Julian Assange has single handedly brought the arcane world of Great Power diplomacy to the doorstep of ordinary people. The demystification of diplomacy will go a long way to redress the imbalance in the world. The discredited politicians of the Third World who stand exposed by WikiLeaks cry out that the cables are "fake". The US State Department itself had warned that the cables contain highly damaging information and in a round anbout fashion only confirmed the authenticity of the expose.

In India, WikiLeaks has created a firestorm that will consume the corrupt and criminal government of ManMohan Singh. Already reeling from a series of scams and scandals, the WikiLeaks has shown that inorder to save his minority Government, ManMohan Singh "bought votes for cash". WikiLeaks has confirmed what many of us knew and in fact it did not come as a surprise that the US diplomats got wind of the scandal much before the rest of the world did. This particular expose is going to cost the Indian Government a great deal.

Apart from abjuring Big Power politics, Julian Assange maintains, like Tom Paine that eternal vigil is the price for freedom. The Western Media draws boundries that delimit the terms of debate in the Free Society. Thus Darfur and Sudan can be attacked and criticised in the name of human Rights but not Saudi Arabia and Bharein. More bolldshed has taken palce after Obama took the Bush route than in the days and weeks leading to the crisis in Libya.

I think, like the famous Somerset case in which Justice Mansfield delivered his judgement, the trial of Julian Assange will result in redifining the limits of freedom within the structure of the security state.

 

 

 


Comments
on Mar 22, 2011

You really need to get out more often as the black helicopters are after you!  But before delving into your fantasy of "Snow Wite" and the 7 dorks, let me point out to you, again, that Assange is basking in his 15 minutes of fame.  He is no more noble than you or I and probably less so given his paranoid delusions.

Julian Assange has become thge very symbol of political freedom and one can say that in this day and age,

False.  He has done nothing.  Manning did it.  And precious little at that.  Assange just plagiarized Manning's work.

if there is one individual who has literally created history

False.  Again, he created nothing other than his own PR campaign.

Having said that we must also admit that having known the wiles of the security sate that he decries so much, he would be percecuted.

False and False - first we do not "know that", and second, he has yet to be persecuted.  He is being questioned and perhaps will be prosecuted for a totally unrelated crime that has nothing to do with his activities other than the fact they lead to his notoriety, and hence inflated ego that he can break laws with impunity.  Note the country of the charges - a country he thought would be sympathetic to his antics.  Hardly a hero.  More like just a sexist coward.

Today he stands virtually alone.

Nice alliteration, but again false.  He has many friends (where the hell do you think he is staying?)

Abandoned even by the country of his birth--Australia. Britain and Sweden both countries that preach to the rest of the world the virtues of a free judiciary have suborned the freedom of the judicial process for petty politcal gain.

False - no one has abandoned him.  He has shunned them.  Are they peeved?  How would you like it if someone secretly taped your bedroom talk with your wife and then broadcast it to the world?  I would be more than peeved, but for those living in lala land, I am sure that you never say things in private that you do not want to be spread in public.

Julian Assange spelled out his political views and they did appear to be sophisticated.

False - they are simplistic.  They are the views of a child who still thinks that all is either black or white.  He does not have the capacity to understand what a Little White Lie is, but he can sure tell some whoppers.

He truly believes in the freedom of expression which this

So do many people all over the world - and they are not egotistical fame seekers.

Standing alongside Private Bradley Manning,

False - he has abandoned him.  Which goes to his character more than anything else.  Like the Swedish Women he soiled (or raped your choice - both a crime), once he used them, he thought nothing more of them.

Julian Assange has single handedly brought the arcane world of Great Power diplomacy to the doorstep of ordinary people.

False - it may have opened some fools' eyes, but anyone with half a brain understands about diplomacy.  That does not mean we like it, but we do understand it.  Only fools and morons are so naive as to think this is a Pollyanna world.

The demystification of diplomacy will go a long way to redress the imbalance in the world.

Again false, see above.  Talk is cheap and that is all this is.  I am begging to believe you are a fool if you truly think this bilge water.

WikiLeaks has confirmed what many of us knew and in fact it did not come as a surprise

Your first acknowledgment that you are perhaps not a mindless robot and really do understand that the world is not a simple pond.  So if you know this, what makes you think that anyone above the age of 18 does not?  I am sure there are many that do not, but to assume (as you have) that you alone are privy to this revelation indicates a degree of egotism not seen outside of Assange.

Apart from abjuring Big Power politics, Julian Assange maintains, like Tom Paine that eternal vigil is the price for freedom.

False - he is not about vigilance but sensationalism.  To compare him to Tom Paine is to compare Mussolini to Henry Ford.  Nice slap at Paine there (not).

The Western Media draws boundries that delimit the terms of debate in the Free Society.

You forgot a word - Attempt.  The internet has destroyed their hope of making rules, only crying fowl when their suggestions are not followed.

I think, like the famous Somerset case in which Justice Mansfield delivered his judgement, the trial of Julian Assange will result in redifining the limits of freedom within the structure of the security state.

False - his trial is just a criminal case of a man taking unwanted advantage of women.  It is as old as history.  And sadly no amount of aggrandizement by you or his sycophants can change that fact.  He is not a hero - he is a pig and goat.