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The Assange Shocker: Honeytrap or Rape? [Updates]

By Bronwyn's Harbor on December 7, 2010 at 1:30 PM in Current Affairs

I would love to see Assange brought down, but is this the best way? The Daily Mail’s write-up of Assange’s arrest, without bail, is excellent in that it describes how Sweden’s complex rape laws make the case more difficult from Assange’s standpoint. [PHOTO: Photographers try to get photo of Assange in prison van. - Yahoo News Slideshow]

Further, although perhaps it’s because I’ve been reading too many thrillers and spy novels lately, I smell a rat here. Are governments so desperate to lock up this man that they set him up? “[Many people] argue that the whole squalid affair is a sexfalla, which translates loosely from the Swedish as a ‘honeytrap’,” reports the Daily Mail in “The Wikileaks sex files: How two one-night stands sparked a worldwide hunt for Julian Assange.”

Then there’s this astonishing revelation about Americans’ fxxked-up values. The Morning Joe panel yesterday discussed the votes for Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” award. Time’s subscribers were allowed to select a candidate from a slate on which Assange’s name was listed. Get this: Over 90,000 Time subscribers voted FOR Assange. SEE MORE about Assange’s defenders below.

I didn’t describe the charges because I figured that all of you, being the inveterate news junkies that you are, already know. I’m just interested in your perspectives on the charges brought against Assange AND the astonishing number of Time magazine subscribers who voted for this bastard.

However, this initial arrest may just be the first of many more charges to come. And I hope that those charges address Assange’s threat to the security of many nations — not just the U.S., but many more nations, including Sweden, where the Australian-born Assange makes his home.

P.S. I haven’t been able to bring myself to check out Daily Kos, where I’m sure that there are dozens of diaries defending — hell, lauding — Assange. Have any of you seen blog stories defending and/or praising Assange?

UPDATE 1: I’m reading the Yahoo News/A.P. story, “Judge denies WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail,” and spotted this. I knew that PayPal had stopped taking payments, but not that both major credit card companies have also stopped payments:

Despite Assange’s legal troubles, a WikiLeaks spokesman insisted the flow of secret U.S. diplomatic cables would not be affected. He also downplayed efforts to constrict the group’s finances after both Visa and MasterCard cut off key funding methods Tuesday.

Also: If you go to “Judge denies WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail,” you can see the full photo slideshow and video.

UPDATE 2: This is also from the A.P. story, “Judge denies WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange bail,” and describes both the efforts of Assange’s “army” of supporters as well as the attempts to shut down Wikileak’s sources of funding:

Meanwhile, Stephens said he would reapply for bail, noting that several prominent Britons — including socialite Jemima Khan and filmmaker Ken Loach — had each offered to pay 20,000 pounds ($31,500) as surety so Assange could go free.

WikiLeaks, meanwhile, came under increasing financial pressure Tuesday. Collecting individual donations — the mainstay of its operations — became more difficult after credit card companies said they would refuse to process donations to the site.

Visa Inc. said it would “suspend Visa payment acceptance on WikiLeaks’ website pending further investigation into the nature of its business and whether it contravenes Visa operating rules.” MasterCard said it would suspend payments “until the situation is resolved.”

PayPal Inc., a popular online payment service, has already cut its links to the website, while Swiss authorities closed Assange’s new Swiss bank account on Monday, freezing tens of thousands of euros, according to his lawyers.

WikiLeaks is still soliciting donations through bank transfers to affiliates in Iceland and Germany, as well as by mail to an address at University of Melbourne in Australia.

As WikiLeaks has come under legal, financial and technological attack, an online army of supporters has come to its aid, sending donations, fighting off computer attacks and setting up over 500 mirror sites around the world to make sure that the secret documents are published regardless of what happens to the organization. …

  • Samb

    Maybe a little bit of both?
    Why not arrest him sooner?
    Talk about a one night stand gone bad, for everyone.

    This has nothing to do with Wikileaks other then shutting him up for awhile
    and allowing the government to hold him, while they re-group.

    What about the other documents he plans to dump, is that Assange’s
    get out of jail free card?

    More Question then Answers?
    Bronwyn’s Harbor-”I’ve been reading too many thrillers and spy
    novels lately, I smell a rat here.”
    ————————–
     Samb-You haven’t been reading to many, you are not alone.

    The Daily Mail link was very informative. 
    *DONT_KNOW*

  • Samb

    Maybe a little bit of both?  
    Why not arrest him sooner?  
    Talk about a one night stand gone bad, for everyone.  
     
    This has nothing to do with Wikileaks other then shutting
    him up for awhile and allowing the government to hold him
    while they re-group.  
     
    What about the other documents he plans to dump, is that
    Assange’s get out of jail free card?  
     
    More Question then Answers?  
    Bronwyn’s Harbor-”I’ve been reading too many thrillers and spy  
    novels lately, I smell a rat here.”  
    ————————–  
     Samb-You haven’t been reading to many, you are not alone.  
     
    The Daily Mail link was very informative.   

  • Bronwyn

    Yes.  All this does is get him off the streets or, more importantly, away from his computers.

    But if he’s already farmed out his documents to others around the world, then ….

    Btw, if I were he, I’d be extremely concerned about sending highly sensitive files to other people around the world.  Who knows what those people might do with those files?  How does he know that those people are on his side?  

    I just got a mental image of Assange in prison.  It will be utter hell for him since, for sure, he’ll not be allowed anywhere near a computer.  Since he lives for his computing skills, he’ll go mad without that stimulation.  What an idiot.  But his obvious need to be a “big shot” to harm the U.S. has led him to his current predicament.

    P.S.  One more thing in the A.P, story:  Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden.  I wonder why.

  • erin1929

    Hi Bronwyn – Just one small correction to your interesting article. Julian Assange is Australian, not Swedish. He was born in North Queensland. His mother was recently interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Commission when she expressed concern for her son, and said she still loves him very much.

  • Samb

    http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/12/07/wikileaks.assange/

    Maybe, Assange knows once he steps foot in Sweden 
    his next step will be in the U.S.
    They will extradite him quickly and Assange will be charge
    with espionage.

    Assange, needs to slow things down.

    He could leak the other documents slowly, using that
    to his advantage.

    Assange, is the key to the others who helped him.

    This story is frightening and intriguing all at once.

  • susiepuma

    Dosn’t anyone else recognize the Chicago way in this?  Look back and see how bambi operated during his illustrious (LOL) state senate career and his oh so noble Congressional Senate career – same tactics – he was able to get the rest of his cronies to go along for the ride – must be from that wonderful win of the Noble Peas Prize – huh….

    It’s a flippin’ conspiracy – only we (the peasants) were not invited to partake – damm it……………..

  • Samb

    susiepuma-
    Very good observation.  8-)

  • don x

    Is the Wikileaks scandal more than a tempest in a teapot?   Just wondering what exactly is the fallout from all this for international diplomacy?  What was leaked that isn’t already fairly widely known?  Sure, some people are going to be embarrassed about some of their comments about leaders, but some of them are basically laughing it off.  Maybe the best outcome will be to tighten up internet security at the diplomatic level.

  • Bronwyn

    Ah!  I will fix that.

    And I just heard on Fox TV that his mom runs a puppet theater! (!)

  • tek

    OT:  anyone keeping track of the amnesty situation?  Both houses will vote tomorrow night and right now the Ayes have it.

  • EllenD

    I also think it is a manufactured tempest. If I were conspiracy-minded I’d wonder what it is being used to distract us FROM.
    He must have known that saying he had the goods on the banks would shut down all the VISA/MASTERCARD/PAYPAL facilities.

    This is making him seem like the underdog against all the powerful governments and banks in the world, specifically American, and is feeding into the theme that the US is Big Brother and there is nowhere in the world for a citizen of any country to hide from US displeasure.

    I found Hillary’s statement to be just right. She first condemned him and later made a joke obliquely referencing it. I suspect she is wise enough to ignore it after this. The press is setting this up as David vs Goliath with Goliath being US outrage and retribution. There will be no epic battle if Goliath simply doesn’t show up.
    Reminds me of the schoolyard with three guys. The third saying to the other two “Let’s you and him fight.”

  • EllenD

    BTW – if that article truly reflects Swedish laws they are an embarrassment to all the feminists who have and continue to fight for genuine human rights for women – like opposition to Sharia law..

  • Madame deFarge

    Slightly o/t…is anyone else have problems accessing weazelzippers.com.us?

  • Ferd Premium Saltine Berfle

    And I just heard on Fox TV that his mom runs a puppet theater! (!)
    =======================
    That’s interesting, particularly when one considers that the left consists primarily of socks.

  • BIINKY

    Glenn Beck just went over the events leading up to the charge of rape.  I think it was a “honeytrap” and pressure from government/s.

  • helenk

    http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B669H20101207

    Condoms would have been cheaper and more comfortable then what is happening to him now.
    These charges are probably a setup. What did he expect when he released the info, A ticker tape parade?

    WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

    PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE CHATTERING PEOPLE RULE

  • jwrjr

    I don’t see how anyone cn keep a “straight face” while claiming that Assange’s arrest on “sex” charges is not a contrived scheme to get him extradited to the US.

  • Ferd Premium Saltine Berfle

    This episode represents just another nail in the coffin of the transparency promised by this administration. That One could have done this all aboveboard but the conniver, schemer, and conman in him just wouldn’t allow it.

  • Agent X

    I am not a Wikileaks fan. But this going after Assange is bull. Why doesn’t DoJ go after the NY Times when it leaks real TOP SECRET Intel? What the Times a company that is special? Times pissed that they did not get the chance to piss on the USG? Now, Assange did ask State several times to redact and they sat on their asses. So who do we really blame here? 

    Assange is a glory seeker no doubt. But to be hunted for what? Posting cables to embarrassment to the USG? He did not violate his agreement with the USG. I am not going to defend this guy, but there is no law against doing what he did and there should NOT be one either. That would really hurt the Republic. This entire affair is becoming just a distraction …

    Lets make sure that the guy who actually violated law gets justice!

  • Agent X

    I am not a Wikileaks fan. But this going after Assange is bull. Why doesn’t DoJ go after the NY Times when it leaks real TOP SECRET Intel? What the Times a company that is special? Times pissed that they did not get the chance to piss on the USG? Now, Assange did ask State several times to redact and they sat on their asses. So who do we really blame here?   
     
    Assange is a glory seeker no doubt. But to be hunted for what? Posting cables to embarrass the USG? He did not violate his agreement with the USG. I am not going to defend this guy, but there is no law against doing what he did and there should NOT be one either. That would really hurt the Republic. This entire affair is becoming just a distraction …  
     
    Lets make sure that the guy who actually violated law gets justice!

  • TeakWoodKite

    I wonder how this ties into Obama’s release of CIA memo / “castigation leaks”.

    Saying that it is a “time for reflection, not retribution,” Mr Obama reiterated his opposition to a extensive investigation of controversial counterterrorism programs. The interrogation methods were among the Bush administration’s most closely guarded secrets, and today’s release will be the most comprehensive public accounting to date of the interrogation program that some senior Obama administration officials have said used illegal torture.

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