"Clinton/Hurd/Any number of politicians/civil servants/CEOs is more than likely aware that he is a 'target of opportunity' to many institutions, which would make him very circumspect about doing stuff that could endanger either his reputation or the reputation of <whatever>."
I see that sort of comment trotted out here frequently, but Clinton/Hurd/and any number of politicians/civil servants and CEOS were not about to release a massive set of secret documents.
The timing is just too convenient.
Assange would have to have reasoned that a charge against him at this point in time would be so unbelievable that he could get away with this. And that is something that I find unbelievable.
Evidence. Not just 'a charge'. So, in the case of Clinton, a dress, in the case of Hurd falsified expense reports.
No, they were about to work on the budget, vote on some important issue, a big merger, celebrate their anniversary, about to have a child...
I appreciate that the mind of a philanderer let alone a rapist is a bit alien, but you must understand that the decisions are not entirely rational. As I state above, I find the charges suspect but "he would have known better" is not a convincing counterargument.
That's the thing you see. This man does not know better!
If he knew better he would have been running a startup and laughing his way to the bank.
This man is obsessed with one idea. Freedom. Or, his version of it and such people are really really unlikely to burn up their cause for something like this. This is a man who spent nights awake working on a cryptographic framework for his baby. This is a man who spent months trying to decrypt files while on the run. This is a man who hardly lives a life of luxury and spends almost every second of his time towards his cause. Do you think that he is rational enough to do anything else?
On the other hand, what does the USA have to lose in terms of PR? They're one of the most powerful countries in the world and they can call the shots for now, and unfortunately people know that. The shame of losing their secrets on the other hand...
I really wouldn't be surprised that the women would have been chosen for some sexual history with him or something if possible. It's a longshot, but this will become a trial by media. A blot no matter how small will overshadow the leaking of the documents, and the know that. Why? Because it makes for a better story. Think about it.
Would you rather see an hour long TV special about 16000 leaked war logs and their statistical correlations to war time deaths? As well as strategic failures that might get a bit dry?
Or, the story of an outlaw on the run :flash picture: Out for a cause :cue music: with a dark twist? Did he or did he not? With an exclusive panel to debate it.
I think that's your answer right there. Most people don't give a damn and that blot will permeate through and cloud their vision of what's going to follow, and it's not like they were eagerly awaiting it in the first place.
> If he knew better he would have been running a startup and laughing his way to the bank.
OT, but that assumes the "better" in "knowing better" == "having tons of money" as opposed to, say, "improving the world" which is not a foregone conclusion.
That was a cynical remark about what most people value. Personally, he is my hero and he is one of the few people I would die for.
Yes, it's extreme, but his integrity has touched me whether it is right or wrong it's for history to judge. What's more important to me is that he has chosen his path and that he has the integrity to stick to it.
What I was trying to say was that you can't fill a full glass. This man is too consumed by his work to get into another mental pathogen for a time long enough to commit a crime like this once, let alone twice. It's just too unlikely.
This is why most people won't understand him either and this is why this smear campaign will work. He is an outsider, an "other", trying to tell those sensible folks who "know" what's good for them that their most cherished beliefs might be null and void. Where do you think the pendulum will swing?
This is why I said that.
[edit: I just recalled that whenever I used to be under a lot of positive creative stress I didn't have the time to get into my suicidal thoughts. Those moments were like a barren, but safe and beautiful harbor for me.
He isn't like me, but the thing is that our brains can have only so much on consuming us running on our minds without a complete breakdown.]
