Even if this were true and from a credible source within WikiLeaks, the idea that whistleblowers should be impartial is not something I have ever heard. Assange is trying to stop the world's most violent and virulent warmachine. Working with Russia and likely China by proxy, there are sophisticated theories of action about how best to do that.

But honestly, Clinton was losing no matter what because her strategy was flawed, which we have ample evidence of because she still won the popular vote! You can't have it both ways.

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago

As I remember it, Russia supplied Assange and Wikileaks with information about the DMC, and nothing else. Wikileaks then published the full dataset, unredacted.

Then, someone else provided evidence of Russian corruption. Wikileaks did not publish any of this. There was outcry, then Assange said publicly "Of course Russia is corrupt, that isn't newsworthy."

While that still leaves some room for Assange and Wikileaks being on Russia's side, this should all be viewed in the context that the US government was rabidly frothing at the mouth to get back at Assange for (legitimately) revealing their corruption.

[–] andyburke@fedia.io -2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

As someone who was around for all of it, nah, you are not going to convince me Assange is an impartial good guy. Sory, but I am with camp "Russian asset" and he can reap that shit.

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Do you also think Snowden was a Russian asset?

[–] andyburke@fedia.io -3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Maybe, perhaps probably. He just so happens to end up in Russia?

It doesn't mean I don't believe what either of these dudes put out in the world, it just means I am not sure that their motives were as pure as so many people today seem to think they were. (Note: back THEN, I thought these guys were the good guys, many years later having seen the way the data has been handled, where they ended up, how they've handled themselves, I'm much less likely to give them the benefit of the doubt.)

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Russia just so happens not to extradite people to the US.

Assange has always been a bit of a dick, but sometimes being a good journalist requires people to be dicks.

At the same time, some people are Piers Morgan.

I don't think Assange is Piers Morgan. I think Piers Morgan far more deserves what Assange has experienced so far, let alone whatever may face him in future.

[–] andyburke@fedia.io 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I mean, we could probably get to consensus around Piers Morgan...

[–] TWeaK@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

You say that, but he still features on channel 7 (in the first page of the TV guide) on UK TV.

I will not shed a tear on the day he dies. I will just say: "FINALLY!!"

Objectively, the world will be better off. The people closest to him will be better off. He is the worst kind of leech.

If he was to be incarcerated, his net worth should be used to finance the rehabilitation of other, more reputable prisoners. Eg paedophiles.