In this special #HappyNewYear Edition of the show I will be discussing at length multiple events of pressing significance with a particular focus on the Jan. 4th verdict the extradition case which determines the fate of #WikiLeaks Founder #JulianAssange who is currently being prosecuted based on alleged violations of the Espionage Act of 1917 (this #EspionageAct itself has a worthwhile discussion forthcoming as it had been introduced in the midst of WWI and is of broader importance but especially to the former topic which is the primary subject matter for segment).
After losing his asylum from #Ecuador which had allowed the #UnitedKingdom to enter into their diplomatic Embassy in London to detain him. Since his arrest in April 2019 has been a de facto political prisoner of conscious whose personal health as well as public reputation been under siege by those who for a number of reasons (or an equal amount of decisions produced from a lack thereof of critical thinking, perhaps?) have lobbied for the extradition from the U.K. to the U.S. of his person for a trial and imprisonment based on his publications' revelations of both horrific war crimes as well as equally embarrassing contradictions from the infinite wisdom of U.S. Policymakers which much would rather his voice along with any other that is pursuing actual #journalism be silenced by any and all means going forward, "Freedom of the Press" be damned!
The verdict announced on the 4th after months of prolonged hearings and a lengthy trial which had limited public access (as well as excessive restrictions placed on Mr. Assange and his family, friends, and other supporters who were unable to enjoy certain legal protections / rights due to the controversial and critical nature of the case). What has surprised many was the outcome being more than what many pessimists had conceived as a pretty much foregone conclusion of Mr. Assange being sent with a one-way flight ticket to a federal prison in the Washington D.C. Area (or worse).
Despite expectations from even some of his most ardent supporters to the contrary —2021 has provided its first solid piece of good news pertaining to the potential survival as well as viability of a #FreePress and having #FreeSpeech mean more than just mere political formalities as the reality of civil liberties in the U.S. as well as the broader collection of so-called "Western, Liberal Democracies" such as France the Britain (among others) which as of recent have seen a broader trend towards a future in which society is increasing dystopian and despotic regarding the nature of relations between the the powerful and those who seek to hold such powerful interests accountable.
"District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that while U.S. prosecutors had met the tests for Mr. Assange to be extradited for trial, the U.S. was incapable of preventing him from attempting to take his own life (a thinly veiled sleight at the abysmal conditions of the U.S. prison system).
Outlining evidence of his self-harm and suicidal thoughts, she said: "The overall impression is of a depressed and sometimes despairing man fearful for his future."
She said: "Faced with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the US will not prevent Mr. Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm and I order his discharge."
(More links mentioned in the show coming soon!)
Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TJC
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BTW - Apologies again for the delay in content programming as I have had my hands quite full during the holiday season & beginning of 2021. I hope all of my listeners have had a happy holidays & solid start to what *hopefully* will be a much happier and fortunate new year!
-TJC
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