4508

So what was the final straw that broke Ecuador’s back when it comes to Assange?

4509

New president.

4510

Maybe it was the US assuring them that the charges against Assange weren’t that serious and he was facing a max of 5 years in prison for them. I think one of the things they were concerned about was releasing him only for him to be scooped up by the US and disappeared for life.

4511

More likely it was Assange or his people hacking emails of the new President and his wife and releasing them in an effort to embarrass the country that was protecting him.

4512

Assange also sued Ecuador, used the Embassy for cladestine intelligence activities involving Farage, Trump and Putin oh and refused to obey house-rules, and refused to clean his cats litter tray or feed it properly. Ecuador had to an issue a statement condemning his treatment of his cat ffs. This man is an utter shitweasel.

edit: also doxed Saudi apostates and the last Jews in Baghdad for no reason other than shits n giggles.

4513

Seriously. “He’s here, but he’s not here.” Ben Kingsley can play Assange in the inevitable biopic.

4514

I have no sympathy for Assange, but I also have no doubt he will be railroaded in a kangaroo court.

4515

So what’s the reaction in the UK to this extension? Brexit was already chaotic but repeated delays make me want to take the whole thing less seriously. I mean, I realize it’s serious, but it feels like the UK is not treating it that way.

4516

Oh, I hated this guy before, but I serrrrriously hate him now. Fuck that guy.

YOU DON’T TREAT KITTIES LIKE THAT, JULIAN.

4517

I find it much more likely that he’s a victim of a smear campaign. Regardless of your views of his personal character he’s being persecuted for releasing material from a whistleblower. I think it’s a terrible injustice.

4518

Maybe read the indictment, but that’s not what he’s being persecuted for. He’s charged with encouraging Manning to break into computers with intent to leak classified information and even helping her with breaking a password.

That’s far from journalism.

4519

This was a plausible position to take, say, a decade ago.

Now it is clear he has been coopted for various political purposes. When he is being used as an active and willing tool in disinformation campaigns, political hacking, and supporting Trumpism my sympathy is gone gone gone.

Had he been willing to air the dirty laundry of all sides in the areas he’s involved himself I could possibly buy this. But he is actively using his tools to support and push authoritarian regimes. Fuck that guy.

4520

So when Ecuador issued a statement asking him to treat his cat well, it was a fabricated smear? Why would the Embassy of Ecuador lie about his cat?

and we saw the photos of Farage visiting, and have seen Trump’s teams statements. No one is fabricating the facts, or inventing smears.

and the doxing of the Saudis and Bahgdad Jews happened to. He released the data. Why are you saying this is a smear? Do you understand what the word means?

4521

Maybe try to understand the indictment, not just read it.

I agree 100%.

I don’t condone any of his subsequent behavior (if any of what is reported is actually true). Honestly, at this stage it’s almost impossible to know fact from fiction. What we do know for sure is that he:
a) Aided in releasing information from a whistleblower
b) Antagonized the most powerful nation on the planet
c) Purposely confined himself for 7+ years in an attempt to avoid extradition

I think it’s a terrible day for freedom of information and freedom of the press.

4522

I find it hard to believe that Trump’s gonna do anything against this guy. They may just put on a show trial, and then have double jeopardy clauses protect him from any future prosecution.

4523

DOJ says more charges incoming. I mean maybe he’ll ride in on a white horse after the trial and pardon him, or commute his sentence, but hard to imagine them not prosecuting at this point.

4524

They could prosecute him and just do a shitty job.

4525

Trump will use Assange as an example of not being beholden to Russia. It’s a tortuous argument, seeing as Assange may have been used by Russia but certainly isn’t an actual Russian agent and Russia will be happy with whatever happens to him.

But Trump won’t tread lightly or pardon him or anything because he hasn’t the slightest bit of interest in his welfare. I understand the trial will likely be very circumscribed in its scope to prevent Assange from introducing embarrassing evidence not related to the charges.

4526

Me too. On the other hand hand, he ought to face charges for rape. So maybe he’s getting a better deal this way.

4527

Or maybe he’s fucked.