Monday, January 4, 2021

Assange Avoids Extradition, Pending Appeal by USG



That's our Julian Assange update theme, in honor of the whitest-skinned person ever to come from Australia. The first thing he should do once he's sprung is to get a massive dose of vitamin D, if you ask me.

The news today from the UK is that a judge has decided to release Assange rather than extradite him to the U.S., where she fears he might kill himself if confined in a U.S. prison.

In 2018, a British court refused to extradite Lauri Love, a hacker accused of penetrating U.S. government networks, because of the risk he would kill himself. In 2012 then-Home Secretary Theresa May blocked the extradition of Gary McKinnon, who was accused of breaking into U.S. military and space networks, because of the risk he would end his life. So there is a clear pattern here.

On all the substantive issues raised by the U.S. government against Assange, the judge actually agreed. She said that the alleged offenses go beyond "encouraging a journalist." For instance, Assange called for people to join the CIA so they could access confidential information for WikiLeaks, something the judge found to be "beyond investigative journalism."

The judge also said the right to free speech does not give anyone "unfettered discretion" to disclose any document they wish, and she rejected Assange's assertion of free speech laws noting that the difficulty with this argument is it vests in Assange the right to sacrifice the safety of individuals named in leaked documents, in the name of free speech. Such as the 50-some persons who sought asylum in the United States after being so named.

Moreover, the judge pointed out Assange’s eventual "indiscriminate" release of some 800,000 State Department cables, in contrast to his first, more responsible and much smaller, release of cables to news media outlets who published them with redactions.

Warming up to the subject, the judge noted that any hurt caused to Assange's family by his extradition "is nothing unusual in these kind of proceedings." Damn! I am liking this judge.

Regarding the U.S. judicial system, the judge said she does not accept it would be impossible to find twelve impartial jurors, or that the plea bargaining system was unjust, or that U.S. prosecutors would prosecute Assange out of pure vengeance. She even noted that President Trump has publicly praised Assange.

So, then, what's her objection to extradition?

Only that Assange has a frail mental condition. She accepted testimony that Assange suffers from autism and clinical depression, and is at risk of self-harm. If confined in a U.S. prison under special administrative measures, Assange has the intellect and determination to get around suicide prevention measures, she thinks. Therefore, "extradition would be oppressive by reason of Assange’s mental health."

From the AP story:

Assange, who sat quietly in the dock at London’s Central Criminal Court for the ruling, wiped his brow as the decision was announced. His partner Stella Moris, with whom he has two young sons, wept.

Outside court, Moris said the ruling was “the first step towards justice,” but it was not yet time to celebrate.

“I had hoped that today would be the day that Julian would come home,” she said. “Today is not that day, but that day will come soon.”

“Mr. President, tear down these prison walls,” she said. “Let our little boys have their father.”

Ms. Moris is one of Assange’s lawyers and also his jailhouse squeeze, now age 37 with two little kids that he fathered during his years of self-imposed exile in London's Ecuadorian Embassy. Specifically, while in a tent set up inside his room in the embassy in order to avoid the secret cameras that the lovebirds assumed must have been trained on Assange by the CIA.

Ms. Moris says that by 2017 the pair were "secretly engaged,” and that Assange even proposed to her, kind of, via a virtual reality experience.

She is quite sure Assange wants to marry her. Good luck with that, but based on everything I've read about him, Assange does not seem the family-man domestic type.

It is not rare for even more or less normal women to marry convicts. Google “Hybristophilia.”

But Assange is only two weeks away from freedom, unless the USG's appeal of today's decision succeeds, which it probably won't. Like all famous outlaws, he has surely received tons of female fan mail. Once he’s out of his British prison, Assange will have a vastly expanded range of available females. Do you see marriage in that future? I don't.

Whereas, if he were to be extradited, well, the U.S. federal prison system provides many benefits to inmates who wish to marry, including a minimum of four visiting hours per month. (No conjugal visits, however.)

Think about it, Ms. Moris.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

TSB: Speaking of Assange and Wikileaks: He revealed the cloud seeding program developed by USGov which combined aluminum and other salts combined with jet fuel and released at high altitudes would reflect away the sunlight and allow desert areas to grow lush green crops. Other countries would of course complain of the weaponized climate change but it was cheap ($10 billion/yr)

This clip was only 3 minutes long, delivered by John Brennan to the Council on foreign relations and shown in it's entirety on C-Span probably in the 90's. I can find that if you like, but I had no idea such stuff existed. So you see John Brennan successfully promoted climate change at CFR but also saved the world from that huge VEGA asteroid in 2017. He will probably be on Ted Cruz' voter fraud commission! Have a great day! gwb

Anonymous said...

TSB: So just curious, how many automatic rifles are you allowed to take to a demonstration in DC as long as you don't have too many bullets in your clips? ....Tarrio, who was in custody Monday evening, also was charged with two felony counts of possession of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, which is a legal term for a firearms magazine that allows guns to hold additional bullets. The devices were found during the arrest, police said. gwb

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/proud-boys-leader-arrested-washington-ahead-wednesday-protest-rally

TSB said...

GWB: DC has this very odd local law that defines an empty rifle magazine as a weapon. It's probably unconstitutional and ought to be challenged in court. BTW, they never prosecute local TV news people who use such magazines in gun-related stories, and of course an empty mag is harmless.

Anonymous said...

Some excitement in DC today. Sure has the usual suspects squawking!
Sennacherib

W.Dan Davenport MD said...

TSB: Being it's DC there were a lot of BLM people in the crowd and according to Max Blumenthal they really went NUTS and Crazy after they heard the young woman was shot. She was trying to get into Mitch McConnell's office. gwb
I guess the last time this happened was 1814? There were lots of kids there today too. No statues were harmed and I don't think any protesters were armed, but some cops really got beat up bad after the "murder at McConnel's"

Anonymous said...

Well the darkness is falling.
Sennacherib

Anonymous said...

TSB: So Lisa Murkowski has called on Trump to resign. I think this was an assignment given her from above because Pelosi's impeachment gambit has failed. Banning him from twitter has failed as has the false flag attack on Congress. Trump's only way out of this is to declare a national emergency and use the military to arrest a bunch of coup plotters clearly connected to China
and the machines. I think it's gonna happen.gwb

TSB said...

Sennacherib: 'It's always darkest before the dawn' if you're a fundamentally optimistic type, like I am on most days. The pendulum swings in American politics, the wheel of fortune turns, and the worm will have his day. It's great fun if you don't weaken.

GWB: Lisa Murkowski holds down a family job in the Senate, which she inherited from her father (the same way Al Gore got his old job in the Senate). So, she isn't someone for whom I have profound regard. Regarding Trump's Twitter ban, and the larger purge of its enemies by Big Tech, it makes me wonder about how that strikes foreign gov'ts, and whether they might fear being at the mercy of American Big Tech, in which case might they start to regulate Tech in the interests of free speech? An Italian court did just that a few years ago. We might just possibly see a slap-down of Big Tech led by European courts, doing what the Trump administration failed to do.


Anonymous said...

TSB: Los Angeles is out of OXYGEN! Ambulances not allowed to bring in anyone in need of resuscitation like heart attacks, strokes, trauma. Too many covid cases. I have a solution though. CHINA has lots of oxygen now! And sleepy Joe has lots of friends over there! gwb

Anonymous said...

TSB: Key points from yesterday: 1 Who signed the orders sending 15,000 Guard troops from 4? states to DC? Chris Miller. 2. Who signed an exec order yesterday authorizing any and all additional resources needed to protect the Biden Inauguration up until Jan 24th? Trump. 3. Why are the setting up FEMA camps in Maryland? 4. Did the DC Police Commander who ordered the stand down really commit suicide? 5. Who in Congress lost a laptop and seems panicked?

Somebody is anticipating a lot of violence in DC gwb

Anonymous said...

TSB: Tuesday's Chuckle: PBS Top Lawyer Says Gov Should Build 'Enlightenment Camps' And Remove Children From Trump Supporting Homes..."They’ll (Trump supporters) be raising a generation of intolerant, horrible people – horrible kids."
Today's quote of the day: Hillary Clinton says "it's extremely important to get Trump out of office as soon as possible". gwb I do agree that Trump has some of really annoying kids but FEMA CAMPS?? Can you imagine going to a FEMA camp with Christie and Hillary in charge?

TSB said...

GWB: Hillary was born to be Nurse Ratchet. "It takes a village" to raise Trump-free children, as she knows. And anyone who resists having his speech policed by Google should be made a ward of the court. It's in everyone's best interests.

I'm watching Cool Hand Luke to get pointers for what I can expect on a chain gang.

TSB said...

GWB: On those key points and questions, let me pass on what I know from the local media.

Why FEMA camps in Maryland? I'm not sure FEMA is doing that. I'd call that just rumor.

Did the DC Police commander commit suiside? No. The Capitol Police are a separate federal agency (not the city cops) and their Chief merely resigned. However, one of the Capitol Police officers did commit suicide for reasons not known.

Who lost a laptop? Reportedly, Nancy Pelosi did, but I'd guess several other Representatives may have as well.

Anonymous said...

TSB,
I'm optimistic, I think the Left has no confidence and all of this will collapse and rather quickly. I just don't want to be in the car while the Left is driving. I do believe that all of this is a lot more complicated to do than Left anticipated.
Sennacherib

Anonymous said...

TSB: Your Impeachment Chuckle to remember: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/pelosi-names-eric-swalwell-house-impeachment-manager gwb

TSB said...

GWB: That Swalwell guy amazes me. He's politically, financially, and personally compromised by a Chinese spy, but he gets appointed to the House intelligence oversight committee. And all of official Washington and the news media pretend not to notice. Something must explain it. Is he Pelosi's Botox connection or something?

Anonymous said...

TSB: Why President Biden Can't Bring His Peloton Bike To The White House/
I saw this headline and immediately thought of the wrong answer. Because they are afraid Joe might say the wrong thing and the Peloton would kill him!
gwb
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/security/a35190713/joe-biden-peloton-white-house-security-risk/

TSB said...

GWB: A peloton at his age and with his mental confusion would be highly dangerous. Harry Reed badly injured himself - almost lost an eye - when exercise bands got away from him. A nice easy walk in a mall would be more appropriate exercise for Joe.

Anonymous said...

TSB: Spiritual Advisor to Barack Obama and George W Bush Faces Jail in $1 million bond scam!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/spiritual-advisor-to-barack-obama-and-george-w-bush-sentenced-to-6-years-for-multi-million-dollar-china-bonds-fraud/ar-BB1cPWV7?ocid=msedgntp

Through Smith, a 55-year-old, Shreveport-based investment advisor, he began using his influence to persuade people to invest in historical Chinese bonds in early 2013, the Associated Press added.They were told that they would gain partial bond ownership and would very quickly receive large returns on their investments. (Gee Whiz Captain! Bilking your church on Chinese Bonds was almost a sure winner in 2014 when you had Joe Biden negotiating for you in and Hillary Clinton waiting in the wings! How did they ever catch him? gwb)

James said...

The old adage "Lie in the bed you made" is giving the Left fits. They can't escape last summer's rioting no matter how much they wiggle.
Sennacherib

TSB said...

James: I see there's talk about Republicans in Congress bringing up Kamala Harris' bail project for those summer rioters, so something might indeed come back to bite her and Joe. They're politically constrained from criticizing Antifa and BLM, etc., so, out of wiggle room indeed.

GWB: That Smith fellow was a spiritual advisor to Presidents and ALSO a dealer in Chinese bonds? With that kind of divine arbitrage I don't see how he could miss.

Anonymous said...

Actually TSB,
Virtually any move Biden(the Left) makes will create political enemies not political friends. They've gone to a place where every decision is based on how many enemies are made, not enviable. They can get around this (and have) by out right lying, but that has a rather short shelf life.
Sennacherib

Anonymous said...

TSB: Your HISTORICAL Martin Luther King Day chuckle video from the Rational National.
This RIOT caused everyone in the "Sacred Place" to demand DC be turned into a military camp with advanced missile defense, 30,000 soldiers, jet fighters. "My favorite quote here: "Hey, officer, shouldn't you be stopping us?" gwb https://youtu.be/3kvjqQC5vGU

TSB said...

All riots should be so mellow. It was an insurrection as staged by Cheech and Chong. They took Pelosi's gavel and podium as trophies, and one Deplorable sat his deplorable ass down in her office with his feet up on her desk.

It was far from the storming of the Winter Palace, but it will have to do for a justification to empty DC of residents and repopulate it with National Guard troops.

But then, who guards the Guard? At least one Congressman is fretting that, because white men are the least typical demographic for Biden voters, we need to counter those pale male troops with a trustworthy Pretorian Guard of Biden loyalists.

Speaking as a fan of Imperial Roman history, I look forward to the next few years here in the Nation's Capitol.

Anonymous said...

As a Roman imperial history buff all of this should look very familiar. It also should be remembered that Caligula got it leaving the ballet, Nero remarked " what an artist the world was losing" and Vespasian's last words were "I believe I'm becoming a God". There is little new under the sun. TSB have you read of the audience reactions to Nero's 14 hour poetry recitals?
Sennacherib

Anonymous said...

TSB: Biden picks transgender who encouraged Covid-safe orgies as assistant health secretary https://www.naturalnews.com/2021-01-19-biden-picks-transgender-who-encouraged-covid-safe-orgies-as-assistant-health-secretary.html
First of all, seeing this made me want to make pancakes for breakfast. My favorite line in the story was: The PA official also drew criticism for pulling her mother out of a nursing home after issuing a state-wide order forcing them to accept COVID patients. Since this guy + hormones is a pediatrician I'm curious what he thinks about Hunter's sex tapes and Patriot Missiles? gwb

Anonymous said...

TSB: Looks like Antifa don't like 'UNITY" or Biden either!
Despite President Biden pleading for national unity in his Inaugural Address today, demonstrators in Portland held up signs that read:

"We are ungovernable" and "A new world from the ashes."

Police were monitoring the demonstrators and arrested 1 in Portland for property damage.

Meet the new boss! Same as the old boss! gwb

Anonymous said...

TSB: I finally found the story...after 2 hrs chatting with my wife: "Yesterday dozens of senators and congressmen walked down our lines taking photos, shaking our hands and thanking us for our service. Within 24 hours, they had no further use for us and banished us to the corner of a parking garage. We feel incredibly betrayed," said one Guardsman, who said their unit was abruptly kicked out of the Dirksen Senate Office building into a nearby parking garage with no internet reception, one electrical outlet, and a two-stall bathroom for 5,000 troops. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, tweeted: "If this is true, it's outrageous. I will get to the bottom of this." -Politico (Apparently there were only 5,000 soldiers guarding DC He He!