A conversation between talk show host Larry King and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange got a tad … well, tense when King broached the subject of an interview in which Assange walked off after being quizzed about his personal affairs. And it got plain weird when a technical glitch made it look like Assange may have walked off again.
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The civil society sector should be doing everything they can to support Assange’s quest for transparency of the military industrial complex involvement in the enormous tragedy in Iraq. It would be cowardice of the highest order to allow him to be brow beaten and humiliated by Establishment forces rusted on to their incumbency.
There has been some important coverage in the big press so far. Assange is likely to be named Time Man of Year for this enormous expose, giving some truth finally around the premature deaths of tens of thousands to appease a corporate power monger like George Bush.
Has he had a serious interview on Australian quality media yet?
Tom,
It took me several minutes to get up off the floor, suffering from a painful bout of hysterical laughter, at the phrase “Australian quality media”. You are joking aren’t you?
I agree Tom! “Australian quality media”? I read an article yesterday where the afore mentioned media was referred to as “lamestream”? I like that!
I think Julian and his team are very brave. I hope he has some astute people looking after his security, as it wouldn’t surprise me if he was now officially deemed an ‘enemy of the US’ and was ‘disappeared’?
It’s a bit rich for the Pentagon etc to accuse him of putting american service people’s lives at risk? I think they’ve done a very good job of it themselves. What’s the US toll now – 5,000 yet? Compared to the deaths in Iraq, one survey group estimates those deaths at over 1 million? The use of depleted uranium in this invasion was increased at least ten fold in comparison to the first gulf war, and the genetic mutations and cancers are starting to appear. Women in Iraq are apparently very frightened of becoming pregnant – no wonder!
INcidently, I agreed with Julian re the ‘charges’ that have been laid against him. It was not the time or place to mention that; it was offensive. I think the US intelligence? are responsible for that lot! Wouldn’t be the first time!
While I think Wikileaks’ quest for transparency is done in good faith, John Birmingham’s article in this month’s The Monthly raises interesting points about the safety of Afghanis who have collaborated with the US military, and who have been named in the leaked articles. He also analyses the role Wikileaks plays alongside traditional journalism.
It’s an interesting read! http://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-john-birmingham-man-who-fell-earth-julian-assange-s-wikileaks-2789