Julian Assange et al
Julian Assange, the Swedish Women. and Micheal Moore 122910
A Fringe analysis and opinion
Wikileaks founder and operator, Julian Assange, has been charged with rape in Sweden, as most people understand.
The laws defining rape in Sweden are the broadest in the world, according to Swedish attorney Per E. Samuelsson.
The charges make Assange seem very creepy, indeed. He’s been accused of forcing the women to have sex, though the key feature seems to be not so much the having of sex, which no one denies, but whether Assange intentionally had unprotected sex with the women.
There is much to argue about the stories, and everyone seems willing to argue, with Micheal Moore saying the whole thing looked fishy to him, to feminists responding in the harshest, often most graphic terms, to what they see as Moore downplaying rape or making light of a person’s right to have, or not have, sex with someone else.
In his defense, Moore had little cogent to say, except to state that rape is terrible and if Assange did that, he’s a bad man.
Still, the women, who met Mr. Assange at the same time, and who filed their complaints at the same time, also spent several more days with Mr. Assange. It wasn’t until the two found out that Assange had bedded both that they made the complaint. The original complaint was dismissed, then re-invigorated by eager prosecutors. Both admitted to having consensual sex with Assange.
The charges are available from the Guardian.
Feminists maintain that any sex without complete consent is rape, but that definition accepts only one perspective on the act. What if the non-consenting person doesn’t complain, how is the “rapist” to know a different interpretation of the situation is going on?
In the end, the most damning charge against Assange is that he is really, really bad in the sack. We know this for two reasons: first, one of the women shared that information; and second, one of the women fell asleep during sex with Assange.
Still, even that last charge doesn’t change some significant facts:
1. Many people committed rape around the world on that day, real rape, where it was clear to both parties that rape was taking place, and none of them are getting the media play that the charges against Assange are. Rape isn’t the issue, here, Assange is.
2. Some very powerful people were insulted by Assange and the release of the 250,000 cables. Those people can be expected to attack Assange.
3. Whether he did, or did not rape the Swedish women, thinking people can regard only the service Assange has been providing through Wikileaks. People in our government behaved in ways that are not moral, and not very attractive.
Some might say the “protection and benefit of the country” might excuse that behavior, but I disagree. We should live our principles as a nation; we should have nothing to hide from Assange or anyone.
Instead of owning up to that fact, it’s easier to inflate charges of “rape” against Assange, and discredit him morally, too.
But, Assange had sex with those women representing only himself, it’s a private problem; the bureaucrats embarrassed by the leaks were representing all of us.
Those in the know say Assange will never be convicted of anything, and probably won’t even stand trial. It doesn’t matter, though, because the attack has been financially crippling for him. Further, one never outlives an accusation such as rape.
In my view, it matters less who Assange had sex with than how bureaucrats conduct themselves when representing all of us.
There you go, Micheal Moore, you should have said that.
A Fringe analysis and opinion
Wikileaks founder and operator, Julian Assange, has been charged with rape in Sweden, as most people understand.
The laws defining rape in Sweden are the broadest in the world, according to Swedish attorney Per E. Samuelsson.
The charges make Assange seem very creepy, indeed. He’s been accused of forcing the women to have sex, though the key feature seems to be not so much the having of sex, which no one denies, but whether Assange intentionally had unprotected sex with the women.
There is much to argue about the stories, and everyone seems willing to argue, with Micheal Moore saying the whole thing looked fishy to him, to feminists responding in the harshest, often most graphic terms, to what they see as Moore downplaying rape or making light of a person’s right to have, or not have, sex with someone else.
In his defense, Moore had little cogent to say, except to state that rape is terrible and if Assange did that, he’s a bad man.
Still, the women, who met Mr. Assange at the same time, and who filed their complaints at the same time, also spent several more days with Mr. Assange. It wasn’t until the two found out that Assange had bedded both that they made the complaint. The original complaint was dismissed, then re-invigorated by eager prosecutors. Both admitted to having consensual sex with Assange.
The charges are available from the Guardian.
Feminists maintain that any sex without complete consent is rape, but that definition accepts only one perspective on the act. What if the non-consenting person doesn’t complain, how is the “rapist” to know a different interpretation of the situation is going on?
In the end, the most damning charge against Assange is that he is really, really bad in the sack. We know this for two reasons: first, one of the women shared that information; and second, one of the women fell asleep during sex with Assange.
Still, even that last charge doesn’t change some significant facts:
1. Many people committed rape around the world on that day, real rape, where it was clear to both parties that rape was taking place, and none of them are getting the media play that the charges against Assange are. Rape isn’t the issue, here, Assange is.
2. Some very powerful people were insulted by Assange and the release of the 250,000 cables. Those people can be expected to attack Assange.
3. Whether he did, or did not rape the Swedish women, thinking people can regard only the service Assange has been providing through Wikileaks. People in our government behaved in ways that are not moral, and not very attractive.
Some might say the “protection and benefit of the country” might excuse that behavior, but I disagree. We should live our principles as a nation; we should have nothing to hide from Assange or anyone.
Instead of owning up to that fact, it’s easier to inflate charges of “rape” against Assange, and discredit him morally, too.
But, Assange had sex with those women representing only himself, it’s a private problem; the bureaucrats embarrassed by the leaks were representing all of us.
Those in the know say Assange will never be convicted of anything, and probably won’t even stand trial. It doesn’t matter, though, because the attack has been financially crippling for him. Further, one never outlives an accusation such as rape.
In my view, it matters less who Assange had sex with than how bureaucrats conduct themselves when representing all of us.
There you go, Micheal Moore, you should have said that.
