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David Deubelbeiss's avatar

I don't share your emotions. It's a play. Crumbs from the balcony of empire. Glitch in the matrix or just a lifting of the pot lid to let out some steam, pressure. Others still paying the price and I'm also sure they have him where they want him. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I'm happy he's out but don't let that rope a dope fool you for a moment. Freedom, the 1st amendment was AGAIN defeated. This should be the bigger story - a journalist was convicted, it's on record, no matter how they got it done.

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Shaista Ali's avatar

I have had these thoughts too. Like what is the ‘got ya!’?

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ikester8's avatar

The "got ya" was the plea deal based on the clearly unconstitutional and misapplied Espionage Act. That, and nine years in prison or in an uncomfortable and transparent (to the powers that be) exile to avoid extradition. But the plea deal sets no precedent, it was the face-saving measure the Biden administration demanded.

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David Deubelbeiss's avatar

Thanks, was going to add the same. However, why do you say it sets no precedent? Everything IS a precdent, it can arm an kind of future interpretation. Plus, we must admit, doing 14 years for this HAS sent a big chill through all journalism. I remember prior to 2010 - there was hope. Then journalists on the bandwagon of the digital realm started getting popped, if they pushed too much. You might even go back to the very beginning of internet journalism (which is what this is all about) - anyone remember Gongadze, for example?

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Joy in HK fiFP's avatar

It doesn't set a binding legal precedent. But in other ways, as all things do, it sets precedence for what TPTB can do and get away with.

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

I wouldn't put it past our government to use it as a precedent.

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Carolyn L Zaremba's avatar

That fact that Julian was tortured in prison can be used to shoot down the precedent factor. Just wait.

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Jun 26, 2024
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ikester8's avatar

Technically, it would have to be adjudicated to set a precedent, and then only in said district. This was a prearranged deal that the judge accepted, so no legal precedent was set.

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Jun 26, 2024Edited
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Carolyn L Zaremba's avatar

I have worked with lawyers for over 35 years and have friends and a cousin who are lawyers. I know perfectly well what a precedent and also what a shaky precedent is.

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Jun 26, 2024
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David Deubelbeiss's avatar

It would be worthy. You'd be busy as hell just with Gaza. CPJ does its job but with few resources. I mentioned Gongadze just because of the digital aspect - he was one of the first to start an online newspaper, like this substack, to voice and share his evidence against the corrupt government and president. Ended up beheaded in a park I ran through in Kyiv when there at the same time. Myself, I was eventually run out at gunpoint.

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Jun 26, 2024Edited
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Jun 26, 2024
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ikester8's avatar

It appears you are deliberately misinterpreting me. I agree that the goal was to chill free speech and journalism, and it was achieved. "Precedent" is a legal term, and this plea deal set no legal precedent. Yes, I agree with CN's analysis.

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Jack Lomax's avatar

Yes the show is falling to pieces and when the wreckage is analysed (assuming it it is not radioactive) this will show the beginning of the end.

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Societal Illusions's avatar

debate fodder, anyone?

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Scipio's avatar

Disagree that it's as irrelevant as you describe.

Assange would still be in Belmarsh if it wasn't an election year.

Assange had become a problem for the Biden regime - they were under pressure, because of the amazing support Assange had, and because Julian never gave up.

The Biden regime were forced to release him, precisely because it was an election year.

This is something they wouldn't have wanted to do. The CIA would have been against it for sure. They caved.

That in itself is a significant victory.

They capitulated.

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Louis Ferdinand Celine's avatar

I agree David, on this occasion, Caitlin is wrong by believing in miracles because this is not. A brave man was convicted and pleaded guilty. Guilty of what? Che Guevara wouldn't be happy about this.

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Carolyn L Zaremba's avatar

That was apparent from the beginning. But you fail to see the possibilities for overturning this in the future. You are not some super wise man giving we plebes the news, dude. We are overjoyed that Julian is free. The empire is going down of its own weight of crime and villainy.

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

I agree!

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Jun 27, 2024
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David Deubelbeiss's avatar

I think you are very good at holding up mirrors. No sheep here. I've done a lot, how many protests for Julian have you attended? How many articles have you written? No sheep here - Caitlin's a big girl and she has her opinions and voice. So do many of us others who admire her. It's not a competition or leader - follow situation. My main point is that this is all bitter-sweet and the larger issue of what the state apparatus did to Julian should be foremost in "weight", not this brief snatch of freedom. I'm not in favor of crumbs, that's how we are kept as sheep and slaves.

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Jun 26, 2024
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mois78's avatar

Tucker Carlson went to Australia to give a speech and was shaming them for neglecting their citizen Assange. He told them it is way past due for Australia to stop taking order from UK.

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Jack Lomax's avatar

Just one detail you go wrong mois US not UK . Sometimes via UK but still just the message deliverer

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Richard's avatar

Extremely well written Caitlin, thank you. I've been following the story of Julian since shortly after its beginning in Sweden. I've read 2 books of his. For 2 days now I've been crying tears of joy.

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Longtrail's avatar

It's been a crazy 48 hours. I've been laughing and crying, dancing and singing and looking for the Arrival Video.

Let's celebrate, rest up and get back to work destroying the Narrative.

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AJF's avatar

I was following his flight that Stella shared. Couldn't sleep till that plane landed!

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Longtrail's avatar

On the day Julian boarded the plane I was up until 3 AM. Last night it was until 1:30AM and up early to check Stella's X acct. Before I get the chance my news feeds lit up with videos of his arrival.

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Penelope Prill's avatar

I am weeping. I wanted Assange freed from the clutches of the horrible US government. I want every American free from the clutches of the US government. Its dedication to atrocities is making me ill.

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Waxcandle's avatar

I like this girl :)

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Michael's avatar

I think having a positive view of humanity is important. I believe most of us want the same things. We want a peaceful and even loving relationship with others. We want our children to thrive. We want to be healthy, happy and to feel loved. We don’t generally wish harm on others unless tricked into this. I believe there are relatively very few people driving all the negativity in our world and the rest are simply tricked into negative behavior. This can be changed rapidly. This is what the evil few are terrified of, that we’ll see them.

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AJF's avatar

We must end the worship of money.

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The Revolution Continues's avatar

Amen! "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

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jamenta's avatar

Amen to that brother.

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Michael's avatar

I think ending the fear of not having any is important. It’s ok if people want nice things and like to show off a bit. That’s very human. But people not having anything is unacceptable in an evolved society. Moderate capitalism is ok for me

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

"Moderate" is not how capitalism works. What you're describing - if you aren't totally blinded by American propaganda - is socialism.

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Michael's avatar

It’s not productive to debate the definition of ‘isms’. Of course we’re all influenced by propaganda, if not blinded. My point is, swinging from one extreme economic system to another might not be the answer

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

It's American propaganda to refer to socialism as an "extreme economic system." You just proved my point.

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Michael's avatar

Ok you win Susan. Good job!👏

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Jun 26, 2024
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John Turcot's avatar

It's not as much the worship of money that is a problem, but the dangers associated with its absence.

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Shaista Ali's avatar

Wholeheartedly agree.

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Substeph's avatar

„Maybe we really do win this thing.“

… and then be ready to take over responsibility - this is one of our very important exercises that we should practice every day!

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Marie-Louise Murville's avatar

Yes! Hallelujah! Tears of joy🥰

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Kevin Pettitt's avatar

We have historically always underestimated the power that we hold in our hands as citizens. As Stella acknowledged earlier at the press conference,without the dedication of the millions of people across the globe who were unrelenting in their support of Julian this may never have happened. Whatever one wants to call them, the establishment, the globalists, the obscenely wealthy elite,are scared senseless by us. They try to keep their horrible actions in the dark and use all of the resources at their fingertips to try and convince us that they have our best interests at heart and that any criticism of them is an indication of our lack of understanding,moral code or whatever other charges they can use to gaslight us. Mistakenly they believe that their wealth and privilege protects them from everything that they themselves are doing to the rest of us. They build their bunkers, they engage what is in effect their private armies to protect themselves but their relentless pursuit of money and power will be their undoing. I believe that we are witnessing a seismic shift in global politics and that if we actually manage to come through the next few years without a thermonuclear holocaust that the world will be a very different place. As the sun sets on the American empire,an inevitability given the history of such enterprises, a truly multi polar world will be of the greatest benefit to us,the people. The transition will be painful for some,especially those who currently hold the levers of power and not without a profound effect on all levels of society but it will come,whether we like it or not.

We owe it to ourselves and each other to hold the line and keep the faith because,as the old song says “we will overcome”.

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

We SHALL overcome

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Jun 26, 2024
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Jun 26, 2024
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Susan Mercurio's avatar

WHAT??? To which Finkelstein are you referring? Some made-up one out of your imagination?

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Marianna Chambless's avatar

Totally agree, this is not the Norm Finkelstein that I listen to and read. He has been outspoken re Israel's genocide and the unrelenting aid the U.S. provides the country. It is true that he doesn't see any solution for the Palestinians in the immediate future, but that's true for many of us, if we're realistic - Israel is not going to move 700,000 + settlers out of the West Bank, so that there can be a contiguous Palestinians state, and I don't think Israel is going to change its apartheid policies.

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Jun 26, 2024
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Marianna Chambless's avatar

I do listen to Palestinians, on Democracy Now, Useful Idiots, Chris Hedges. That doesn't cause me to abandon Finkelstein, who I think is a clear-thinking hero.

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

I would be happy to research your assertion. I like to believe that I will listen to both sides of a story.

On the other hand, there are always propagandists who try to smear their opponents. I can certainly believe that the Israeli government would go to great lengths to shut up Norman Finkelstein, since he has opposed their murderous genocide since the beginning.

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Chang Chokaski's avatar

>>"https://bdsmovement.net/taxonomy/term/157/all"

I was shocked by that video. That seems to be quite a different Norman Finklestein (12 years ago) than what I observe today. I disagree with many things he said in that video.

BDS is one of the most important movements (and tools) to fight the Israeli Zionist apartheid regime with. I don't understand how anyone can justify being Pro-Palestine and anti-BDS at the same time...

Having said that, it is important to keep the following in mind:

(1) All people are constantly changing based on new life experiences and new knowledge/information. I see (from current interviews) that Norman Finklestein has changed a few of his opinions over time. Example: At one time, he actually believed that non-violence was a viable strategy that Gazans could employ against their oppressors. He was proven wrong by the 2018 massacre of innocent civilians (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/3/30/gazas-great-march-of-return-protests-explained). Finklestein has changed his stance on that and others (especially since the events of Oct.7)

(2) No one is perfect and gets everything right all the time. Not even Norman Finklestein.

(3) Finklestein has done more to help the Palestinian cause than almost any other anti-Zionist Jewish person (that I'm aware of).

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

Anything is possible. The only way for our species to progress is by removing the 2 worst blights on our species: Capitalism and religion. They've had a death grip on us for eons.

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Longtrail's avatar

It's corrupted and it's Crony Capitalism. The other evil is Compounding Interest, Usury.

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

Absolutely not🤦‍♀️ It's always been a pyramid scheme. War is good for business is all you need to know about capitalism. It places values on the RESOURCES WE NEED TO SURVIVE, and they put profit over LIFE.

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Longtrail's avatar

Propose a way to spread wealth. I believe Socialism can not live without Capitalism and vice versa.

From 1977 to 2007 70% of our nation's wealth was stolen from the Middle Class by the top 1%. It was achieved through Patrimonial Capitalism and Crony Capitalism.

Free Enterprise and Free Competition are not bad but it's a lie because it's all been corrupted and rigged by our Corporate Government.

We are ruled by oligarchs and their corporations when we should all be shareholders. We need to take back the levers of power and truly be a nation of the People, by the People for the People.

China and Russia are good examples, especially Russia.

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

We need to STOP USING MONEY 🤦‍♀️

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Susan Mercurio's avatar

Would you like to go back to bartering?

Think it through.

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

SHARING 🤦‍♀️ You were taught how to do that, right? You place more value on things than you do life.

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Longtrail's avatar

You're absolutely right about the Congressional Corporate Military Industrial Complex. Don't worry, it's junk and the money will be gone as soon as dedollarization takes hold.

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

And you know the horrible suffering that's going to entail, yes?

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John Turcot's avatar

"The other evil is Compounding Interest"... I would remove just one word in your sentence, Compounding...

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John Turcot's avatar

"The only way for our species to progress is by removing the 2 worst blights on our species: Capitalism and religion."... Pardon the pun, but Amen to that.

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Waxcandle's avatar

Only the Christian Religion, lol. Not the Muslim one; that is doing well in Iran, quite well in-fact 😏😘

In fact, it might be the reason the Global Public resisting communism, fascism, and capitalism is doing quite well today, not to mention zionism and the resistance to free Palestine (and the world by default and extension, etc :) 😘

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𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

ALL RELIGIONS are about control.

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Waxcandle's avatar

Only a Sith deals in absolutes. Islam is about peace and tranquility in life and how to get there: through worshipping God, i.e by studying and learning and praying and fasting and fighting injustice and defending ourselves against tyranny, etc. These are all acts of worship in Islam, if done with the right intention (and not for worldly matters* or worldly gain, for example, to be more accurate there, ty :)

*such as not for fame or fortune, much as is relished by politicians in the West and East, for example, etc :)

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An K.'s avatar

Not Budhism.

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Indu Abeysekara's avatar

Yes Caitlin, The unthinkable has happened! Though it took so long and Julian Assange had to go through years of suffering and the uncertainty of not knowing. A wonderful day for his family and friends who worked tirelessly supporting him and been there for him, and most of all he had the love of a good woman. We who followed his cause right from the start - together with Caitlin and Tim - are elated. All the good people who were with him from all over the world have reason to be optimistic.

Maybe our dreams of a better world are not just dreams.

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J. Lee Austin's avatar

Right on Caitlin. Sam Adams said it best, "It does not take a majority to prevail but rather a Tireless, Irate Minority keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men."

I say, be the T.I.M. !!! Keep firing Sister, you are the best. ~~ j ~~

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Peter's avatar

Paraphrasing Lenin: There are decades when nothing happens; then, there are weeks when decades happen.

Paraphrasing Einstein: Space-time is warped.

Paraphrasing quantum mechanics: By observing something, you change it.

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John Turcot's avatar

Peter,

Except for the quantum stuff, the rest resonates..

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Peter's avatar

True, it's an analogy, not necessarily a strict one. The Einstein quote obviously doesn't apply to humans either...but you could argue that people (the Dark Matter of the masses) play the role of the mass that warps space-time...

But back to quantum mechanics. Note that people do change their behavior when observed. It seems that is on point with Wikileaks: by putting war crimes out where they can be observed by the max # people, you can effect changes.

Another analogy of quantum:

Putinger's (Schrodinger's) cat: the dual nature of the Special Military Operation....how can the Russian army be weak and ineffective, and yet threaten Europe at the same time? Two condtions that exist simultaneously, and collapse into one of these conditions when someone observes them (or depending on by whom...whether they are pro-Western or not....in analogy to physics: which tools are used to observe...Anglo-Saxon or Russian?).

Bonus quote: quantum mechanics in 5 words: Don't look, wave; look, particle.

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John Turcot's avatar

Peter... It's not trying to teach anyone about quantum stuff that things will change, but by understanding objectives that are good for tribes... and "quantum mechanics" ain;t gonna cut it.

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Peter's avatar

Back in the day, the pundits tried to connect Deep Physics to Eastern philosophies in an attempt to find new ways to solve old problems....maybe physics is irrelevant now that we have enough fission/fusion to destroy the world (or bioweapons, so it's biologists who are the devils now) ...all that remains are the tribal objectives. Good point. I just remember how Gell-Mann, informed by the 8-fold Buddhist way, formulated the quark model, taking the quark label from the poet James Joyce. I believe it's the chaotic unity of Every Thing (physics, biology, math, poetry, music) that underlies much Beauty in the world, and that cut's it just fine for me.

Politics cannot produce beauty, but it can destroy her. Let us rejoice that, with the release of Saint Julius we have won a small step back to beauty.

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Craig Nelsen's avatar

I am so happy his father was alive to see this.

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Jody's avatar

So maybe Leonard Peltier has a chance

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JennyStokes's avatar

Yes. I think he is about 90yrs now.

Pity we didn't stay on him too.

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MrKudzu's avatar

It's important to remember how little any of us know about the world. And what you fill that vast unknown with is essential.

Do you fill it with anxiety, fear, and despair or do you fill it with hope, faith, and determination. I suspect that answer comes from one's understanding of and connection to their source.

Everyone remembers the story of Pandora's Box, but many forget the final item contained in it was hope.

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Cesare di Monte Calvi's avatar

Allow me sharing my own take.

Julian Assange vs. The Evil Empire: He's Home!

"And yet the beautiful persists." ~ Gregory Bateson.

https://trygvewighdal.substack.com/p/julian-assange-vs-the-evil-empire

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Mike Jasper's avatar

JULIAN IS FREE!!!! And, yes, the battle between good and evil continues. The inability or unwillingness to pause and celebrate his release, to cynically and pessimistically continue to only focus on the problems that remain gives an inordinate amount of power to the dark side! SO many people have tirelessly worked and prayed to help raise our awareness of Julian’s plight, to get him released. It was a year ago I heard his father talk as he earnestly trekked across the US speaking of this horrible injustice. Grateful to him, to Caitlin and so many others who kept on keeping on all these years!!!!!!! Time to pause and rejoice!!!!!

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