We should recall that it was the banking information that he released that initiated the serious effort at repressing him. When it was political information it was annoying but when it was information regarding unsound banking practices they shut his accounts and froze access to the site and the charges soon appeared. In the corporate age the government is there to provide cover for the business interests and is expected to be attacked and rejected in cycles leaving those who run things immune from examination. Assange violated the pretense when he began focusing upon those who pull the strings and that is, as I recall, the beginning of the more serious efforts to contain him.

is so obsessed with getting his hands on Assange.

I feel really stupid for not connecting the dots on this. Of course! It's about the money. It's ALWAYS about the money. I've been posting all over this board the last few days asking why Obama wants Assange so badly,and I never get an answer.

Sadly, this is just more indicative of who's really in charge in this country and that whomever is elected [sic] president is simply a cipher for those pulling the strings in the background.

In that regard, I'd point to the book, "Predator Nation: Corporate Criminals, Political Corruption, and the Hijacking of America, by Charles Ferguson, director of the Film "Inside Job".

In the book, Ferguson takes eight entire pages (pp. 300-308) to lay out, in detail, Pres. Obama's appointments when he took office; all of them connected in some way to the financial industry. As Ferguson says: "Not a single critic or voice of reform got a job - not Simon Johnson, Nouriel Roubini, Paul Krugman, Sheila Bair, Joseph Stiglitz, Jeffrey Sachs, Robert Gnaizda,Brooksley Born, Senator Carl Levin, none of them."

Since criticism of Pres. Obama is frowned upon here, I just offer the above paragraph without comment other than, res ipsa loquitor, the thing speaks for itself.


Welcome to DU.

was little reaction to Assange after he released the War Logs and the Collateral Murder video. Gates even publicly stated that no harm had been done by their release. No one was all that excited because the US doesn't care about War Crimes.

But in July of 2010 in an interview with Forbes Assange stated that most of the material Wikileaks had at that time, was 'from the private sector'. He was asked if he thought any of it would be a threat to any of the big banks. He casually responded that there was a possibility it might bring down one of the Banks. He didn't name the bank but said they would be probably be releasing it in the near future.

One month later he was accused of rape. Not only that, but one of his former partners 'defected' claiming he was 'ruining Wikileaks'. But he tool all the Bank material with him. People were outraged, he said he would return it when Wikileaks improved its security, and then he destroyed it. That is why Wikileaks were never able to release the material they had promised.

Shortly after all of this, Anonymous hacked into HB Gary's computers and released emails which revealed that BOA, right after Assange's comments, had hired contractors to 'go after Assange and smear him, and anyone who was supporting him'.

It has also been discovered that the FBI may have been helping BOA in their anti-Assange endeavors. That is illegal if so, and there is supposed to be a Congressional investigation of that but we know it will never happen.

So, all this frenzy AFTER Assange mentions the Big Banks and having info on them. But no one cares about the War Crimes.

Assange saying he had some info that might take down one of the banks, and about that individual who left Wikileaks. I remember anticipating the bank info coming out, but eventually I forgot about it. There is so much information that competes for one's attention.

After reading the post by spike91 I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what I missed. *sigh*

All of this just proves who our overlords really are. I can't wait to see which cardboard cut-out is presented for our adulation in November.

* * *

Ya' know, I went to a little get-together with some friends last night, and I ran into someone whom I hadn't seen for many, MANY years, since back when he was little more than a teenager. He's an accountant now, as is his wife, who's also a CPA.

He, his wife, and I ended up getting into a discussion, after just about everyone else had left, that went on for nearly two hours. Fortunately, we were all able to remain civil throughout, if you want to call it that.

Even though he knew where I stood on the political spectrum, the venom, and I do mean venom that he spewed about "leftists" (his term) was indescribable.

For the sake of brevity I'll just mention that when I tried to explain to the wife that for-profit insurance companies, because of their responsibility to their shareholders, cannot effectively provide for health care , she responded that probably there should be no health insurance companies at all and people should accept total responsibility for their health needs.

I said that I know someone who went to an outpatient facility for minor surgery. After being taken to the OR, unforseen circumstances prevented the procedure from being done at all. The patient was in and out of the OR within 15 minutes. The HOSPITAL bill was $8000.

The wife's response was that without insurance companies medical costs would (magically ?) become so cheap that anyone could afford them.

I used to believe that people like this would come to their senses if they actually had to live in the society they claim to want. I no longer believe this. I think they would just wallow in their own misery and find a way to blame some "leftist" who lived a hundred years ago for their predicament.

I also believe that anyone on DU who thinks they can "turn" RWers by an appeal to reason are out of their minds.

The brainwashing is complete. It's set in stone. I feel like that guy at the end of "The Invasion of the Body-Snatchers", standing in the middle of the road shouting about what's happening while people drive by honking their horns and shaking their fists out the windows and telling him to get out of the way.

I don't know why I put this here. I know it's OT, but there it is.

on a Major Bank in January of 2011. We were all waiting for that to happen, but January passed and February and there was nothing. Meantime his partner had been all over the media claiming to have defected from Wikileaks, smearing Assange etc. What he failed to tell us initially was that he had stolen documents, among which were the documents on the Bank meant to be released in January.

How convenient for the Bank in question. When asked why he had done that, he stated he intended to return the documents after Wikileaks dealt with what he claimed, were security issues. Finally, he admitted that he had destroyed the documents. Saving the Banks, for which I am sure they will be eternally grateful. Having lost all credibility, he continues to deny that he was working for the Banks, but there are few who believe him.

Eg, he had set up his own version of Wikileaks and could have released the material on his own site. But he didn't.

Further evidence of how seriously the Banks were taking Assange's statements about what Wikileaks had, came when Anonymous, in retaliation for a threat from HB Gary to 'uncover' some of their members, hacked HB Gary's site and published their emails on the internet. We learned that BOA was so nervous about Assange's claims, they were hiring 'security' contractors, like HB Gary, to go after Wikileaks and anyone who supported them. And that's just what we know.

I give you credit for trying to talk reason to your old friends.

The brainwashing is complete.

It is because for decades Americans have been subjected to an incredible amount of propaganda and by now, people have grown up with it. Eg, the 'left' is evil, communist etc. No where else in the civilized world do people fear the 'left' as many Americans do. I think maybe it comes from the Cold War where anyone slightly to the left was viewed as a potential communist. However, I always associated that kind of paranoia with the far right, but I've seen the word 'leftie' used even here as an insult.

Your friends sound like people who are so brainwashed they will never be able to see things clearly. Capitalism was the anti-dote to Communism and everything is black and white for many people. And with all the rightwing hate-filled talk radio shows confirming the fact that the 'left' is evil, nothing will change much. I agree with you, there isn't much hope for them, but young people do seem to be more informed and not as attached to the old propaganda. Maybe because they have more access to more intelligent and independent media.

I hope so anyhow,

a microcosm of philosophies, from far left to far right, but most posters fall somewhere between DimSon and Attila the Hun. I'm used to reading misspelled rants and talking points du jour, but for some reason this recent post makes me shake my head in incredulity:

"Too bad we can't get Clarence (it's a wonderful life) to show us what the world would be like today if America had never existed.

One thing I'm sure of... it would be a dark, dark place. America has always been a force of good in this world... yes we have our flaws but I for one stand up proudly and proclaim that I'm proud of the USA and I'm proud to call myself an American... and I'll shout from the top of the mountains... LONG LIVE THE USA!!!! and GOD BLESS AMERICA."


The world would be a DARK DARK place without the USA, that eternal Force of Good, learn it and learn it deep. LOL

by William Blum.

He needs a reality check.

He should also take time to learn something about Gen. "War is a Racket" Smedley Butler, for a look at our early 20th century track record of goodness and light.

Of course he'll do neither, comfortable as he is in his delusional world. Amazing.

and the media & Bush-dominated DOJ is playing right along. With Holder's assistance. Obama's administration has been useless in both those arenas, justice and finance, that need so much reform. Another big disappointment.

Not enough to make me let Romney in, though. How could that possible improve things?

I've mis placed a book that really was important to read, then finding it again with a whole lot of chapters torn out.

Assange has exposed our county for what it has become. He's a hero, not a villain. Our own journalists are paid shills for the corporate state. We won't be hearing about anything this profound from them.

I find it amazing that most of the public have no clue what's going on. They are too busy watching reality TV and sports.

is doing it's job well.

far! The author has hit upon something here for sure! As the 1% ers and corporate powers continue to expand their control of Government, Courts, and Media they are flexing their muscles. They were not prepared to deal with something like this, so they react by saying, "Let's squash it!". Assange showed the way and now the cat is out of the bag. All they can do is come down so hard on him that people will think twice before leaking like this. We are getting much further down that slippery slope!

it's been that way for awhile.

Have you perused his website, or were you simply so enthralled by the headline you overlooked some of his more indelicate offerings?

not exactly a ranting lefty source -- so you'd have to take your objections up with others than just me.

now, do i think the 'the west' has become/is a big giant banana republic?
yes.

do i think they needed clandestine back rooms to do that or even the heavy hand of the u.s. to goad and prod?
no.

i think ideologically, philosophically, practically they were already in 'agreement' -- and this guy manages to capture some of that sentiment.

Just asking. Maybe I missed something.

It forgets to point out that every single banana republic had/has a dictator/military/ pretense democracy set up and financed by said West.

Though I'm sure Assange's detractors will be along shortly. They're very persistent, as if they had at least 40 hours a week of spare time to exclusively make posts bashing Assange.

Last week I was stuck inside for several reasons. I'd never noticed it before then but for the first time ever, I was able to take the time to watch them work. Its incredible, relentless (and wrong). A few times they slipped up and referred to themselves as "we". Even more distressing was the blatant re-writing of history (the US has never renditioned or committed war crimes, Bush never broke international laws or tortured, Gitmo and the people being held in indefinite detention doesn't exist etc etc). Frightening and really depressing.

I've only had time to skim DU briefly this week and must have missed this thread but its too good to drop.

Of course its all about the money and the banksters. Interesting the usuals have left this thread mostly alone....

They don't want to be boosting it to the top of the page.

They hope it'll just go bye bye.

It's been that way from the start. We are the number one banana republic spreading our banana republicanism throughout the world.

That's the best way to explain things like slavery, and the genocide of native peoples, and all those smaller banana republic minion states we've supported.

The USA has never been anything more than a "developing nation" wearing a fancy suit and driving a fancy car. The class divide has always existed; a small ruling class exploiting laborers and natural resources, a small ruling class taking much more than they give back.

Whenever our nation shows signs of becoming a modern democracy we get squeezed, the people become fearful, and a Reagan or Bush is inflicted upon us.

Anways, this banana republic meme goes way back on Democratic underground.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=894808&mesg_id=894808

My problem with the idea that we've "just become a giant banana republic" is that it obscures the fact that we've always been one.

you have no clue as to what a banana republic is.

to the Monroe Doctrine, but didn't have to suffer it ourselves. Now it is being brought to us. The increase of homeless and poor people and shrinking of the middle class is a sure sign of it. The suppression of our voter rights by tea party elected officials and many other rights being taken from us by homeland security is another sign.

... thousands of examples:



1912: Massachusetts militiamen with fixed bayonets surround a parade of peaceful strikers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Lawrence_Textile_Strike

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-union_violence

The same tools used against the people of other banana republics are used against the people of the USA.

We make progress, but with every step the hammer comes down and dissidents and other trouble makers are murdered or otherwise silenced.

The current state of the art is controlling the media. Turn on the television and everything is all right. There's something wrong with those angry people you may have heard about. Pop open another can of refreshing Coca Cola and be happy.

and still not a banana republic- though the movement in that direction is disturbing. It's just historically and currently inaccurate to label the U.S. a banana republic. And yes, I'm a stickler for accuracy.

Oh, and I don't watch TV or drink coke, and 2 wiki links and a pic don't exactly make a cogent argument for your claim.

But the middle class grows smaller as inexpensive resources grow scarce.

Outside the protected places it's pretty obvious what's happening.

The rule of the street is "collect your food stamps and don't make trouble."



Number of inmates. 1920 to 2006.[1][2] (absolute numbers)
General US population grew 2.8 times in the same period.
The number of inmates increased more than 20 times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States

...the rest of us to find out what OUR government is doing with OUR money in OUR name.

It IS a matter of "Security"....
THEIR Job Security,
and the Security of their ill gotten loot.




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
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capitalism.

This is the missing link in the Assange case.

Thanks for posting this.

it. This is OUR administration. OUR party. OUR President.

WE did this. WE.

And the situation with DU rules on election campaign time and having an conscience and strive for honesty must be much more difficult for US citizens than us foreign correspondents. But no matter what the rules say, I believe we are first humans, national and partisan identities come long after that if at all, and in this global village I like to stay in touch also with Americans that are at least, mostly, tolerable, to have discussions with.

That's the way the system works - throw up a smokescreen and have a bunch of people ready to blow it around, to obscure the actual movement of the troops.

It's not about rape.
It's not about war crimes.
It's not about diplomatic embarrassment.

It's about money.
It's always about money.

Good luck, everyone. We're going to need it.