The View Of Assange In The Press
This article on the BBC, gives a summary of what the world’s press has said about Julian Assange’s press conference yesterday. The Guardian, which would have been considered to be a likely supporter, said this.
“At around 2.30pm Assange emerged on to the balcony, a pallid figure dressed in a business-blue shirt and maroon tie. There was an enormous roar. Assange managed a thumbs-up, then tapped the microphone and inquired: “Can you hear me?” This, perhaps, was the moment for someone to shout: “‘E’s not the Messiah! ‘E’s a very naughty boy!”
The Independent, another possible supporter, was in a similar mood.
“A competent image consultant could have warned him not to emerge into the public eye looking as he did. Far from giving him a Churchillian look, his blue shirt, crimson tie and cropped hair created – as one wag pointed out on Twitter – a curious resemblance to John Inman, from the 1970s’ sitcom Are you Being Served?
“But what was much more serious – the elephant in the room, so to speak – was Assange’s wilful failure to say anything about the actual reason that the Swedish police want to question him.”
But The Sun, which seems to be an increasingly serious paper these days, was similar in tone to The Independent, without the theatrical references was quite matter of fact.
“Odious Julian Assange loved every second of his pompous balcony rant. His speech was long on egotistical claptrap, but oddly failed to mention what this extradition case is actually about — the rape of one woman and sexual molestation of another.
“If Mr Assange really does believe in the importance of transparent justice in a democratic state, he should subject HIMSELF to it now and get on the first plane to Sweden.”
Moving to Assange’s home country of Australia, the Australian takes a more practical approach.
“Assange is an Australian and Australia is a staunch US ally. If Assange’s legal future became a major talking point in this country, you could probably expect a bit of nationalism to intrude. It’s likely, though not certain, that Assange would be seen as wearing the white jersey and the US perceived as wearing a black one. In other words, it probably wouldn’t transpire as a US public relations triumph.”
It’s a mess and the sooner it’s cleaned up, the better.
The Anonymous Widower 
The agenda is “Crossing the Rubicon” for the “Social Media” era. Unfortunately hidden behind the bigger agenda of Wiki Leaks are two criminal charges, which are being handled badly by all parties.
The sadness, of the “Social Media” era is the trashing of Magna Charta in London {not far from the fields of Runnymede} . . . being trashed: by social media concepts, lack of rules & lack of fundamental Human Values of the great legal past . . . called Common Law.
The precedence of Law . . . is to firstly clear up the only charges laid {to date . . . wanting to question a person, about sexual claims } . . . the claims were laid by two women, entitled to protection under the Swedish Law.
The question today is how people use “Social Media” today . . . are they above the Law ? No . . .
This case needs to be reviewed by the development of the First Principle of Law [a development of the Magna Charta] . . . “No person can lose their freedom or assets, without the due process of Law”.
Therefore Julian is also entitled to protection under British Law {not to have EU legislators discount British Law}. . . whereby Sweden can hold Julian incommunicado, before he is charged with an offence.
The Swedish methods, do not comply with the First Principle of Law, Magna Charta or British Common Law precendents.
This case will drag out at an ever increasing cost to the British {who should ensure that these great Legal Precendents : Magna Charta, Principle of Law & Common Law} are held up as Great Team GB Ideals.
Sweden, can end this case quickly, if it follows it’s own rules {video conferencing with Julian} . . . if not, why not ?
In GB . . . a person is innocent until proven guilty. Hey . . . is Juilan right ? . . . this is not about a Verdict; this is about whether or not an official charge is to be laid . . . very murky methods by Sweden.
Maybe Julian is right, and is fighting for his life.
Comment by Steam Lover | August 20, 2012 |
My Aussie physio has more information about this case, which he heard from an expat kangaroo. I’ll not repeat it. But social media is getting to be a nuisance in solving cases. We’ve had juries tweet from the jury room and lately idiots, who’ve tweeted racist rubbish have been prosecuted. As well as the common law, there’s common decency too! I could call you a descendent of a convict face to face, but should I do that where everybody can see it?
Comment by AnonW | August 21, 2012 |