Last evening, when I first saw reports, I shouted "yes", then laughed / cried simultaneously. Finally, I screamed "F-you, American 'justice' system'" for forcing yet another plea bargain from yet another innocent. How could a government, a system, stewing in its history of grotesque injustices ever hope to produce a just outcome satisfying to anyone except those whose moral compass lives in a toilet. Nevertheless, I breathe easier this morning, Julian because you do.
Wow, Vin, I sat here and read this and had the same reaction and I'm a resident of the DISunited States. There is no "justice system" in the US. Hasn't been for years. I was friend of a man who lost his 13 year old son and his wife to the JUST US system. He passed this past May.
Sad story. We may as well find some fresh dogshit to coat our shoes before we proceed to dance on a printed copy of the Bill of Rights, the only document that really matters in distinguishing the US from that dogshit.
Exactly. Isn't it great to be living in the most terroristic country in the world? That terrorizes the rest of the world as well as the citizens of this very country.
And half the country cheers on the evil global hegemon and thinks that it’s actually spreading freedom and democracy instead of seeing its worldwide barbarism.
I checked to see what the shitlibs thought about Assange being released. They are absolutely livid about it and want him back in Belmarsh.
i'd rather think it's kinda systemic. it probably is correct to remove those mastering it (the big-wigs, if you please) to prevent further harm, imo, but if you don't eliminate the structure, new ones will get infected.
The election in November. Even if the number of folks who know or care about Assange is small, Biden/Dems need to try and scrape up any votes they can. Also, I will not be surprised in the least if there is not a way being implemented to allow undocumented - illegals - to vote.
Julian Assange is free, unless the US is just being duplicitous, but, IMO, he will never be safe. In fact, when I saw the first "Assange is Free!" headline, my first thought was that he was free from existing on this earth. That he had had a major stroke or something. I don't trust the US or the Australian government in this one little bit.
I confess I would not be surprised in the least if The Debate was cancelled due to Important National Security Issues that need Biden's close attention.
Oh, of course not! Me either. Maybe it is just a case of the Dems not wanting this issue to be brought up during the never-ending campaign bullshit extravaganza.
It doesn't matter who anyone votes for, as they have zero control over who their vote gets tallied for. Those who vote only lend credibility to the ongoing farce.
I most sure as hell will vote for Biden. The election in November is not a popularity contest. It is a contest between awful and horrible. We don’t need the American Taliban running our country. MAGA has matured since they were in the White House last time.
These guys will just keep repeating whatever political talking points they've been given. It's really not about helping the American people - it's more about helping themselves Indu. Washington DC has become a revolving door of corruption and sociopathy.
Well if it’s just a contest between awful and horrible … is there an actual contest there? Awful and horrible are both terrible, right? So, then, why will you “sure as hell” vote for Biden? Given that the two are the same, as you just stated, why not just eeny meeny mo??in fact, I see a choice at the polls only between awful and horrible, I’m going to get so pissed, I’ll be of a mind to do something else entirely …
Maybe no one would change their vote to Biden in gratitude, but it might stop more people from finding out what Biden (and Trump) did to Assange. I'm imagining large protests in the U.S. that may now not happen, maybe millions of Joe Rogan listeners tuning in for the first time to hear about election stuff and maybe Rogan won't be talking about it close to the election now.
I think RFK will become a threat in the election and press freedom and political driven censorship is a main issue in his platform. There’s plenty left leaning voters who might swing back to Biden if they see a bit of give there just to avoid Trump.
Sadly, this is likely. No such thing as grass roots candidates. This includes ‘big government Jill Stein’ who’s entire platform would give this shit show MORE POWER over us.
i do think it is safe to vote for her though. you'd be opposing the genocide (if you care about that) and she won't win either. (they already have total power over you, btw.)
No, it is not. It is a corrupt money-laundering carnival sideshow, with a tent full of politicians selling their favors in the back. The barking never ends. I look at the election process as totally separate from what actually happens to us.
Biden does not have much else good to run on. And I do not think that the US is done with Assange, it is not in our government's nature to do much of anything good. Julian may be riding across the river with a scorpion. Hate to be so cynical, but cannot help it.
I think you make a good point. Also, they may be thinking that this action will bring back into the fold some disenchanted Dems. It might have worked for me if we had not had a hand in the Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, and the moves toward censoring speech that didn't sit well with the administration and its minions.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I suppose it will come out eventually. In the matter of the details, we already know generally what the US ruling class is and does; further information along those lines is, in a sense, redundant.
I was so angry at noon today when I caught the story on the local newscast... the little girl newsreader read the story so well about the "spy" who was a "convicted sex offender" and "stole US government secrets" that "cost lives of US agents".... Man, have they painted an even uglier picture of Assange than he had last year!
Jill Stein is running and has an entirely different agenda, although she has zero chance of winning. It would be a protest vote against the status quo. Which if a whole lot of ppl did it might shake things up a bit. Neither Biden nor Trump will do us any good. Trump WAS uncontainable and his lack of shame meant they couldn’t blackmail him. And he stopped a military operation at the last minute once, on a whim, or maybe to spite them. Biden is up to his neck in being nothing more than a tool for Zionists.
My heart goes out to Assange for having to endure this sacrifice. There is no justice when he pays this personal cost for real journalism, while stenographers and imperial court jesters get rich.
I salute his legal team for getting even this horrible outcome. They have worked hard and deserve praise.
However, this outcome is a defeat for whistleblowing, journalism and with it transparency and democracy.
Beware! While we , collectively, "take this one small victory in stride with a quick “thank you” to the heavens and get back to work", the empire ghouls are already busy taking their triumphal stadium lap, surrounded by their court of obsequious bootlickers, aka "the press", in a feat of jubilation, paeans and panegyrics - and spin - to celebrate JA admission of guilt, and to underline the superiority and fairness of the US legal system and of western democracy in general
Exactly. We need to keep the public aware of what is actually going on--not what the powers-that-be want them to think is going on. We owe it to Julian and to each other not to fall back asleep and think all's well when we know deep down it sure ain't!
Though its small weight lifted in the whole scheme of things i breathe easy this morning for Julian and Stella , because for them it’s as though the weight of the world has been rolled away .
I’m gonna take a minute and try to relish just a very small bit of the relief they must be experiencing….
I’m so jaded now , I keep holding my breath and waiting for the other shoe to drop… but whatever the agenda is behind this sudden course alteration , they have some semblance of freedom now ….. and yes , while justice hasn’t been fully served; I hope they live out the rest of their days finding small moments of vindication along the way…
Thank you, Caitlin, for these thoughts - I concur 100%. When I read about Julian Assange being released from prison last night, it was quite a pleasant surprise!
Regarding the "plea bargain" - here in the United States of America, people charged with a crime are guaranteed a trial by a jury of their peers, but only a tiny percentage actually stand trial. Many are coerced into a plea bargain - even when they had done nothing wrong.
Yes, no idea how anyone would consider the system the US now has "Justice". Oh, they can't spend more money to fix the American judicial system - but they can spend billions on genocide and a provoked war in Ukraine ... And trillion dollars a year on the most expensive military in the world that can do diddley squat in a real war.
"In any given year, 98% of criminal cases in the federal courts end with a plea bargain — a practice that prizes efficiency over fairness and innocence, according to a new report from the American Bar Association."
Just another coercive approach of the criminal regime. Their modus operandi.
OF COURSE it's about moola. (And power--pardon any redundancy.) Think the evil Empire would be having wars all over the world if it weren't PROFITABLE? Let's find out! Let's a) make THE RICH pay ALL the taxes, and b) nationalize the entire Military Industrial Complex, so THE RICH can't profit from their ownership of it. Then we'll find out how badly they need to "police" the world.
Brilliantly articulated, Caitlin. This is not the free world when journalists are jailed without due process for exposing governments.. leave something for Satan!!
I shared your post on Facebook with the caption "He really is free! But justice has not been done." and Facebook summarily removed it for violatong community standards. They said it was spam. I have shared your articles before in the very same way and never had any trouble from them.
FB immediately removed my post of Caitlin’s blog, but this post is still there -
“Assange is finally free, but is our press?
“Justice would look like formal apologies to Assange and his family from the editorial boards of all the mainstream press outlets which manufactured consent for his vicious persecution — including and especially The Guardian — and the complete destruction of the reputations of every unscrupulous presstitute who helped smear him over the years…” See Caitlin Johnstone’s blog on Substack for more.”
I wish you and your family all the best Julian .I hope that in some way you can put the injustice that you have suffered aside and get on with your life. You already have done so much to enlighten the world of the insidious ways and actions of corrupt governments and their agencies including their presstitute press .We now know who are our enemies .Enjoy the remainder of your life with many thanks for the work and integrity that you have shown .
I believe Julian is fired up as I am but he first needs rest and decompression. He can continue with his fight and also profit. Those who don't know Julian's story will be exposed to a best selling book and movie.
By the way, in the video of Julian walking to the plane he seemed to exude victory with his erect stride and head held high. I'm overjoyed at Stella's joy!
There was talk of a plea deal, and Stella and his team denied it. Maybe because the discussions were not between US & UK prosecutors and Assange's team but between them and the Australian government, which was feeling pressure from its citizens. I hope the deal is not that Australia agrees to join in a suicidal war with China in a desperate attempt to maintain imperial dominance.
I hope you're wrong. Standing with the US as it attacks Australia's main trading partner, starting World War III just because the sociopaths running the US government can't stand the thought of not being King of the Hill and are willing to risk human survival to try to maintain hegemony, is crazy even for the US. For Australia it's beyond crazy.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, absolutely. Your list of redress is spot on. That said, I would love to have been the mouse in the corner of whatever official conversations where some shred of decency - minuscule as it is - that unlocked the vice grip of USA's vengeance wrought upon Assange. Was it decency? or the skyscraper sized transparency brought by Assange's supporters making that manipulation so visible and irrefutable for all to see? Even the empire becomes bendable when the people in significant numbers see the emperor without clothes? Truth served by many aligned and organized truly makes a difference.
Last evening, when I first saw reports, I shouted "yes", then laughed / cried simultaneously. Finally, I screamed "F-you, American 'justice' system'" for forcing yet another plea bargain from yet another innocent. How could a government, a system, stewing in its history of grotesque injustices ever hope to produce a just outcome satisfying to anyone except those whose moral compass lives in a toilet. Nevertheless, I breathe easier this morning, Julian because you do.
Wow, Vin, I sat here and read this and had the same reaction and I'm a resident of the DISunited States. There is no "justice system" in the US. Hasn't been for years. I was friend of a man who lost his 13 year old son and his wife to the JUST US system. He passed this past May.
https://www.courageouslion.us/p/sammy-used-to-love-homegrown-green
Sad story. We may as well find some fresh dogshit to coat our shoes before we proceed to dance on a printed copy of the Bill of Rights, the only document that really matters in distinguishing the US from that dogshit.
Huh?
Totally agree Vin.
My thoughts exactly, Vinny.
Exactly. Isn't it great to be living in the most terroristic country in the world? That terrorizes the rest of the world as well as the citizens of this very country.
And half the country cheers on the evil global hegemon and thinks that it’s actually spreading freedom and democracy instead of seeing its worldwide barbarism.
I checked to see what the shitlibs thought about Assange being released. They are absolutely livid about it and want him back in Belmarsh.
WTF is wrong with those people?
Yes...we allow and it's time (past time) we say NO MORE!!
Who is "them"? And I don't fear for my life. Haven't since I was about 12.
who gets off the hook when the scapegoat is identified?
i'd rather think it's kinda systemic. it probably is correct to remove those mastering it (the big-wigs, if you please) to prevent further harm, imo, but if you don't eliminate the structure, new ones will get infected.
I wonder what the real motivation is here...
The election in November. Even if the number of folks who know or care about Assange is small, Biden/Dems need to try and scrape up any votes they can. Also, I will not be surprised in the least if there is not a way being implemented to allow undocumented - illegals - to vote.
Julian Assange is free, unless the US is just being duplicitous, but, IMO, he will never be safe. In fact, when I saw the first "Assange is Free!" headline, my first thought was that he was free from existing on this earth. That he had had a major stroke or something. I don't trust the US or the Australian government in this one little bit.
I confess I would not be surprised in the least if The Debate was cancelled due to Important National Security Issues that need Biden's close attention.
But would freeing Assange get anyone to vote for Biden. I'm not about to.
Oh, of course not! Me either. Maybe it is just a case of the Dems not wanting this issue to be brought up during the never-ending campaign bullshit extravaganza.
It doesn't matter who anyone votes for, as they have zero control over who their vote gets tallied for. Those who vote only lend credibility to the ongoing farce.
I most sure as hell will vote for Biden. The election in November is not a popularity contest. It is a contest between awful and horrible. We don’t need the American Taliban running our country. MAGA has matured since they were in the White House last time.
The "lesser of two evils" argument, is stale and immoral.
Hello jamenta, I was just about to write to John Corstvet to say that lesser of two evils is still evil , when I saw your response.
These guys will just keep repeating whatever political talking points they've been given. It's really not about helping the American people - it's more about helping themselves Indu. Washington DC has become a revolving door of corruption and sociopathy.
yep
However you justify voting for genocide.
Own it.
Well if it’s just a contest between awful and horrible … is there an actual contest there? Awful and horrible are both terrible, right? So, then, why will you “sure as hell” vote for Biden? Given that the two are the same, as you just stated, why not just eeny meeny mo??in fact, I see a choice at the polls only between awful and horrible, I’m going to get so pissed, I’ll be of a mind to do something else entirely …
Vote your conscience if you don't support the genocide in Gaza or endless wars for resource grabs. Vote for Dr. Jill Stein. https://jillstein2024.com
Maybe no one would change their vote to Biden in gratitude, but it might stop more people from finding out what Biden (and Trump) did to Assange. I'm imagining large protests in the U.S. that may now not happen, maybe millions of Joe Rogan listeners tuning in for the first time to hear about election stuff and maybe Rogan won't be talking about it close to the election now.
I think RFK will become a threat in the election and press freedom and political driven censorship is a main issue in his platform. There’s plenty left leaning voters who might swing back to Biden if they see a bit of give there just to avoid Trump.
Sadly, this is likely. No such thing as grass roots candidates. This includes ‘big government Jill Stein’ who’s entire platform would give this shit show MORE POWER over us.
i do think it is safe to vote for her though. you'd be opposing the genocide (if you care about that) and she won't win either. (they already have total power over you, btw.)
No, it is not. It is a corrupt money-laundering carnival sideshow, with a tent full of politicians selling their favors in the back. The barking never ends. I look at the election process as totally separate from what actually happens to us.
US elections?
I doubt it. 99% of Americans either don't know, don't care or are all for burning the witch.
Biden does not have much else good to run on. And I do not think that the US is done with Assange, it is not in our government's nature to do much of anything good. Julian may be riding across the river with a scorpion. Hate to be so cynical, but cannot help it.
He’s probably too far gone mentally to be a threat but they’re evil so yes they’ll probably just murder him. They’ll send Killary Clinton
Killary wanted to drone Assange, which the Obama cabinet thought was pretty weird...
I think you make a good point. Also, they may be thinking that this action will bring back into the fold some disenchanted Dems. It might have worked for me if we had not had a hand in the Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, and the moves toward censoring speech that didn't sit well with the administration and its minions.
it might indeed provide a few 'disenchantment'-fakers the little nudge excuse for what they were gonna do anyway, indeed.
I resemble that remark. Happy he is out .He will be watched by our illustrious for the people gov.
Excellent, informative posts. Thanks for that.
I wonder if Trump wins and Pompeo is back, if he’ll target JA as a free man.
Pompeo would be sufficient but not necessary for this.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I suppose it will come out eventually. In the matter of the details, we already know generally what the US ruling class is and does; further information along those lines is, in a sense, redundant.
Yeah, that was my first thought too, besides being happy he was able to get beyond those prison walls for once in five years.
Probably to give Trump a black eye in the debate...
Worldwide public pressure.
If the US cared about worldwide public pressure, the US would have fled Israel a long time ago.
Maybe. Or concerns that Assange has a file of truly incriminating matter that he could release if sentenced.
For the regime and its sniveling weasel propaganda tools, he's now a convicted felon, guilty of espionage.
I was so angry at noon today when I caught the story on the local newscast... the little girl newsreader read the story so well about the "spy" who was a "convicted sex offender" and "stole US government secrets" that "cost lives of US agents".... Man, have they painted an even uglier picture of Assange than he had last year!
Monsters. They'll soon enter an escape velocity with their criminal madness.
its (picky me)
It's fixed 😀
I wonder myself.
Unless it's a kamikaze move.
Yep, that’s it because RFK was going to trounce him on this issue. US gov never does anything out of altruism or fairness
Yes of course Biden is a scumbag but nowhere near as bad as the MAGA/Evangelical/Catholic fascist theocracy.
THERE ARE NO OTHER CHOICES!
Lol…next year will tell us that you are better off than 4 years ago.
Pssst…we weren’t at the brink of nuclear annihilation like we are under Biden.
Lesser evil voting is still voting for evil.
Jill Stein is running and has an entirely different agenda, although she has zero chance of winning. It would be a protest vote against the status quo. Which if a whole lot of ppl did it might shake things up a bit. Neither Biden nor Trump will do us any good. Trump WAS uncontainable and his lack of shame meant they couldn’t blackmail him. And he stopped a military operation at the last minute once, on a whim, or maybe to spite them. Biden is up to his neck in being nothing more than a tool for Zionists.
We hear that same nonsense trotted out every four years., even as Team D advocates open genocide.
anything other than those two is fine, imo.
1. I say the same about Biden. Aging never had much to work on under that skull.
2. I also say the same about those who control the US.
https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lt-gen-tom-mcinerney-explains-why-lin-wood-s-whistleblower-is-absolutely-credible--43743971
It doesn't matter who the face belngs to.....
My heart goes out to Assange for having to endure this sacrifice. There is no justice when he pays this personal cost for real journalism, while stenographers and imperial court jesters get rich.
I salute his legal team for getting even this horrible outcome. They have worked hard and deserve praise.
However, this outcome is a defeat for whistleblowing, journalism and with it transparency and democracy.
Beware! While we , collectively, "take this one small victory in stride with a quick “thank you” to the heavens and get back to work", the empire ghouls are already busy taking their triumphal stadium lap, surrounded by their court of obsequious bootlickers, aka "the press", in a feat of jubilation, paeans and panegyrics - and spin - to celebrate JA admission of guilt, and to underline the superiority and fairness of the US legal system and of western democracy in general
that's why only a quick thank you and then back to work...
Exactly. We need to keep the public aware of what is actually going on--not what the powers-that-be want them to think is going on. We owe it to Julian and to each other not to fall back asleep and think all's well when we know deep down it sure ain't!
Though its small weight lifted in the whole scheme of things i breathe easy this morning for Julian and Stella , because for them it’s as though the weight of the world has been rolled away .
I’m gonna take a minute and try to relish just a very small bit of the relief they must be experiencing….
I’m so jaded now , I keep holding my breath and waiting for the other shoe to drop… but whatever the agenda is behind this sudden course alteration , they have some semblance of freedom now ….. and yes , while justice hasn’t been fully served; I hope they live out the rest of their days finding small moments of vindication along the way…
Thank you, Caitlin, for these thoughts - I concur 100%. When I read about Julian Assange being released from prison last night, it was quite a pleasant surprise!
Regarding the "plea bargain" - here in the United States of America, people charged with a crime are guaranteed a trial by a jury of their peers, but only a tiny percentage actually stand trial. Many are coerced into a plea bargain - even when they had done nothing wrong.
Yes, no idea how anyone would consider the system the US now has "Justice". Oh, they can't spend more money to fix the American judicial system - but they can spend billions on genocide and a provoked war in Ukraine ... And trillion dollars a year on the most expensive military in the world that can do diddley squat in a real war.
"In any given year, 98% of criminal cases in the federal courts end with a plea bargain — a practice that prizes efficiency over fairness and innocence, according to a new report from the American Bar Association."
Just another coercive approach of the criminal regime. Their modus operandi.
Which means the American justice system is in decline along with the rest of the country - in almost every aspect.
But that's OK, bcuz those who own American jails can get rich incarcerating ppl. (Doesn't matter if they were guilty or not.)
I think you've figured it out Jill! It's about the Moola!
OF COURSE it's about moola. (And power--pardon any redundancy.) Think the evil Empire would be having wars all over the world if it weren't PROFITABLE? Let's find out! Let's a) make THE RICH pay ALL the taxes, and b) nationalize the entire Military Industrial Complex, so THE RICH can't profit from their ownership of it. Then we'll find out how badly they need to "police" the world.
I second the motion! Hear Hear!
Superb analysis & opinion. Thanks, Caitlin.
Brilliantly articulated, Caitlin. This is not the free world when journalists are jailed without due process for exposing governments.. leave something for Satan!!
Instead of my ‘free assange’ t-shirt I will wear my ‘Justice for Julian’ one
I shared your post on Facebook with the caption "He really is free! But justice has not been done." and Facebook summarily removed it for violatong community standards. They said it was spam. I have shared your articles before in the very same way and never had any trouble from them.
'Why did it happen
It looks like you've tried to get likes, follows, shares, or views on your video in a misleading way.'
that's what fb automatically states as reason for deleting this post.
The "reasons" they give are always BS. They remove whatever the gvt. tells them to remove.
I postet your brillant thoughts, Caitlin, but Meta removed my substack post within minutes. I keep trying.
FB immediately removed my post of Caitlin’s blog, but this post is still there -
“Assange is finally free, but is our press?
“Justice would look like formal apologies to Assange and his family from the editorial boards of all the mainstream press outlets which manufactured consent for his vicious persecution — including and especially The Guardian — and the complete destruction of the reputations of every unscrupulous presstitute who helped smear him over the years…” See Caitlin Johnstone’s blog on Substack for more.”
I wish you and your family all the best Julian .I hope that in some way you can put the injustice that you have suffered aside and get on with your life. You already have done so much to enlighten the world of the insidious ways and actions of corrupt governments and their agencies including their presstitute press .We now know who are our enemies .Enjoy the remainder of your life with many thanks for the work and integrity that you have shown .
I believe Julian is fired up as I am but he first needs rest and decompression. He can continue with his fight and also profit. Those who don't know Julian's story will be exposed to a best selling book and movie.
By the way, in the video of Julian walking to the plane he seemed to exude victory with his erect stride and head held high. I'm overjoyed at Stella's joy!
Thank You Caitlin
There was talk of a plea deal, and Stella and his team denied it. Maybe because the discussions were not between US & UK prosecutors and Assange's team but between them and the Australian government, which was feeling pressure from its citizens. I hope the deal is not that Australia agrees to join in a suicidal war with China in a desperate attempt to maintain imperial dominance.
Highly doubt such a deal was “offered” because there no risk of Aus *not* standing with the US.
I hope you're wrong. Standing with the US as it attacks Australia's main trading partner, starting World War III just because the sociopaths running the US government can't stand the thought of not being King of the Hill and are willing to risk human survival to try to maintain hegemony, is crazy even for the US. For Australia it's beyond crazy.
Perhaps you’re not familiar - look up AUKUS.
well I do know about that, but I figure it might be somewhat negotiable...
Yes, yes, yes, yes, absolutely. Your list of redress is spot on. That said, I would love to have been the mouse in the corner of whatever official conversations where some shred of decency - minuscule as it is - that unlocked the vice grip of USA's vengeance wrought upon Assange. Was it decency? or the skyscraper sized transparency brought by Assange's supporters making that manipulation so visible and irrefutable for all to see? Even the empire becomes bendable when the people in significant numbers see the emperor without clothes? Truth served by many aligned and organized truly makes a difference.