Julian Assange Writes an Op-Ed: 'Don't Shoot the Messenger'

Julian Assange has reached out to the international community via publishing an Op-Ed in The Australian. He describes being raised in Queensland and the mindset there of natural suspicion of the government. He also expresses dismay that the government of Australia is now on the attack against him and his WikiLeaks associates, rather than protecting them as they experience threats of violence.

Julian Assange Talks about WikiLeaks

Julian Assange asserts that he is a journalist. He writes in The Australian that WikiLeaks is an "underdog," as opposed to larger, more established media outlets. He states that WikiLeaks was created with the mission to "use Internet technologies in new ways to report the truth." He adds "Democratic societies need a strong media and WikiLeaks is part of the media. The media helps keep government honest."

Julian Assange: Not a Pacifist

Assange denies that he is anti-war. He notes that some wars are needed. It is interesting to hear this coming directly from him. In recent weeks, there have been billions of words published analyzing the motive of Assange and WikiLeaks. Clearly now the world can see, from his own words, that his mission is not simply that of a pacifist who is against all wars.

Freedom of Speech

The importance of freedom of speech seems crucial to Assange. And yet he is being vilified as someone who is a terrorist for releasing diplomatic cables to the world. He notes that he has been accused of treason against America, even though he is not an American. He talks about how the Republicans are calling for his death.

His disgust is clear that Sarah Palin compared him to Osama bin Laden. Is that how the right views journalists, as comparable to the most evil alleged terrorist in the world? Assange is like a lightening rod, showing how some politicians in America do not like openness, but prefer a government that keeps the public in the dark about its strategies and plans.

WikiLeaks Buzz Points

In his Op-Ed, Assange also summarizes some of the key information that WikiLeaks has brought to the attention of the world. It is interesting to see which facts he finds most interesting. He comments on how the USA has asked its diplomats to spy on members of the UN, how the King of Saudi Arabia wanted the USA to go after Iran and how England's Iraq war inquiry was doctored to keep the USA pacified.

He concludes his Op-Ed with words about how American courts have upheld the importance of freedom of speech for journalists. Julian Assange seems to be a man with a clear conscience. He believes he is bringing truth to the world.

Does the world agree with that claim? Many people seem unable to make a decision about whether Assange is good or evil. Is he truly a journalist, or are darker issues at play?

Clearly, many Americans are horrified to hear that our government has initiated and condones spying on members of the United Nations. That dark truth is something that is better in the light of day. How can our country be flouting laws in such an outrageous way?

Assange and WikiLeaks may change history. They are bringing facts about past events to light. The flashlight effect of WikiLeaks is showing some awful events in the wars and in our diplomatic efforts. Hero or villain, what will history have to say about Julian Assange?

Source:

The Australian