Following the appearance in the New York Times of an ad sponsored by Australian activist group Get Up!, Ralph Nader speaks in support of Wikileaks and the importance of transparency in democracy. Bravo.
Dalai Lama too keen to avoid agitation with China?
Are these the kinds of comments that only an exiled leader would make? Perhaps and it’ll be certainly harden the views of many Tibetans that the Dalai Lama’s political skills have been less than stellar. Decades of talking and where has it got his people? The Dalai Lama told US diplomats last year that the…
American figure defends Wikileaks
A major US politician not calling for a drone strike against Julian Assange? How very quaint (and welcome): The chairman of the House judiciary committee defended Wikileaks on Thursday, arguing that the controversial actions of the anti-secrecy outlet are protected under free speech. Speaking at a hearing to explore whether Wikileaks violated the Espionage Act…
New York Times no chance of getting award for bravery
So NYTimes editor throws Assange under a bus? Of course, the Times is a Serious paper that helped the US invade Iraq so everybody should take that publication very seriously, indeed: Is WikiLeaks a media organization, or is it something else? It’s a question with important implications, given the special protections afforded the press, but…
Soon Israel will be surrounded by walls on all sides
Because Israel isn’t enough of a ghetto already. Any lessons from history, Zionists? After the separation barrier against Palestinian territories, Israel has begun to build a new wall, this one to keep migrants from Africa out. The new wall is coming up on the Egyptian border, and with Egyptian support. The Israeli government approved plans…
Assange freedom
He’s out, on bail, and gave the following speech on the steps outside the British court: It’s great to smell the fresh air of London again. First, some thank yous. To all the people around the world who have had faith in me, who have supported my team while I have been away. To my…
Just watched Pilger’s The War You Don’t See
It’s a powerful indictment of journalists keen to sell war. Many reporters and officials admit they were propagandists for conflict and occupation, defending the state to get close to power and good access. Pilger weaves devastation of Iraq/Afghanistan/Palestine with reporters who embed with the state to sell the message. Little shame there. New interview with…
Don’t forget Bradley Manning
The alleged Wikileaks leaker Bradley Manning is in solitary confinement in the US under torture conditions. He has been charged with no crime but has remained in isolation for months on end. In the supposedly most democratic nation on earth. Reading back over his online conversations with hacker Adrian Lamo from earlier in the year…