We must change our laws to get Assange

Heritage Foundation recently held a public panel discussion about WikiLeaks. The panelists included Cully Stimson, former Asst Deputy Sec of Defense on Detainee Affairs, and Paul Rosenzweig, former Asst Deputy for Homeland Security.

Staff have transcribed former Asst Deputy of Homeland Security Paul Rosenzweig's statement from the 2 min 20 sec mark:

It seems to me that if we're going to go down the road of trying to fix our espionage laws to fix issues like Assange and terrorism, the right way is not to try and shoehorn a change that we're not quite sure of its second order and collateral effects into a statute that actually is pretty effective under the terms that it is in. I mean I'm not going to be an advocate of not amending the espionage laws to get at Assange -- I think it's a reasonable thing for Congress to want to do. I would be an advocate for them to take a little more time, step back, and think about all of the categories and types of information, and all the different means by which information is disclosed. And see if there isn't a way -- I believe there is -- of drawing distinctions between mainstream media organizations who report news and add value and things like WikiLeaks which I tend to think of as just a means of communications as a telephone directory. I mean they're just putting information out. Nobody would say a telephone directory is a news organization...

We agree with Paul Rosenzweig. The key is for Congress to carefully work out how to support the mainstream corporate media while sticking it to WikiLeaks.  This is legislation that cannot be rushed but will require the full attention of media and entertainment industry lobbyists.

Former Asst Deputy Sec of Defense on Detainee Affairs Cully Stimson went on to suggest that we have reason to believe "WikiLeaks has a lot more information to divulge" and presumably changes to the espionage laws could be made in time.  The bottom line is we have to get Assange before he can liberate any more of the information we are keeping from the public.  

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See also this post about the Espionage Act of 1917.

Rules of Engagement for Oakland same as for Iraq

Revised Friday Oct. 28, 2011

On Tuesday October 25th we used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash grenades to crush the "Occupy Oakland" demonstration against our friends and benefactors on Wall Street.  At least 85 people were arrested.  One protester, Scott Olsen, an Iraq war vet who served two tours, is in critical condition.

One particular incident Tuesday evening showcased the extent to which we now apply the lose and flexible rules that characterized our recent military engagement in Iraq to the streets of American cities.

In April 2010 WikiLeaks (the group led by high-tech terrorist Julian Assange) released a leaked Pentagon file -- the so-called "Collateral Murder" video.  The video depicts the kind of behavior that Pentagon inquiries have deemed to fall within the bounds of our Rules of Engagement for Iraq.  For example, the video shows a badly wounded man bleeding on a Baghdad street.  A mini-van pulls up and some people get out to help the wounded fellow.  Fortunately, one of our helicopter gunships is in a position to uphold our Rules of Engagement and it fires upon the rescuers.

Here's the video.  It's set to begin playing from the spot where our military's attack on the helpers unfolds (9min 12sec):

In the next video, shot in the midst of our violent attack on protesters Tuesday, an Oakland police officer throws a flash grenade at a group of people trying to carry away a badly injured protester.





The Oakland police officer who tossed the flash grenade was undoubtedly familiar with our Rules of Engagement for Iraq.  We applaud the decision of this officer to uphold these rules on American soil.

If we are to exterminate the unruly spirit of altruism and dissent that plagues the streets of Oakland, New York and all the other occupied towns and cities across this great land of liberty, we must treat our own citizens no better than we have treated the inhabitants of the countries we have occupied.  We must train police to behave as if the bottom 99% of society consists of two kinds of American: the terrorist and the potential terrorist.  

Needless to say, we're counting on our news media to cover the attack on the good Samaritans in Oakland the same way CNN covered the attack on the rescue van in the WikiLeaks video.    

Travel Warning for the United Kingdom

Travel Warning
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF FEAR
Bureau of Consular Affairs

United Kingdom
November 3, 2010

The United States Department of Fear has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in United Kingdom about the security situation in United Kingdom.  In August 2010, Julian Paul Assange, the 39 year-old founder of WikiLeaks, allegedly molested and raped two Swedish women in Stockholm.   On 3 December 2010 Julian Assange was added to the Interpol Most Wanted List and an arrest warrant for Julian Assange was issued by the International Public Prosecution Office in Gothenburg, Sweden.   Based upon a security review following the transit of the alleged rapist to London, U.S. government personnel from the Embassy have been advised that the immediate, practical and reliable way to reduce the security risks is for American women to leave the United Kingdom.   

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit United Kingdom each year.   The British government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors.    Nevertheless, the presence of alleged rapist Julian Assange in London presents a serious risk.  While most victims of rape in Britain are British citizens, we have reason to believe Julian Assange may try to hit on foreign women, including Americans.

It is imperative that female U.S. citizens understand the risks involved in travel to United Kingdom, how best to avoid Julian Assange, and who to contact if one becomes a victim of this alleged rapist.  Common-sense precautions such as avoiding press conferences and Internet cafes during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where a computer nerd might hang-out, can help ensure that travel to United Kingdom is safe and enjoyable.  

Safety Recommendations

Do not display expensive computer hardware, particularly the new 13” MacBook Air, or other geeky electronic items, as these may attract Julian Assange.

U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for sex with Julian Assange should notify British law enforcement officials and the U.S. Embassy in London as soon as possible.  Any U.S. visitors who suspect they are at risk of being molested or raped by Julian Assange should consider returning to the United States immediately.  U.S. citizens should be aware that many cases of crime are never resolved by Scotland Yard, and the U.S. government has no authority to investigate crimes committed in United Kingdom.  

Assassination Attempts

While you are enjoying your vacation in the United Kingdom law enforcement operations targeting Jullian Assange may occur.   These operations may involve the land, sea, and air assets of American, British and NATO armed forces.  U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, and avoid London and surrounding areas during these operations.  

Predator Drone strikes may cause crowds to gather on roads, blocking traffic on streets, including major arteries.  U.S. citizens should take cover in such situations.  

During your stay, Apache attack helicopters may be searching the United Kingdom for Julian Assange. Since the flight routes may change suddenly, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of the helicopters.   

If you witness a missile attack, do not go the assistance of the wounded.  Be mindful of the fate of the Iraqi rescuers in the van depicted in the so-called “Collateral Murder” video released by WikiLeaks on 6 April 2010.   

Further Information

U.S. citizens are urged to monitor Fox News for information about fast-breaking situations that could affect their security.    The United States Department of Fear provides updates on Twitter.  

Any U.S. citizen who spots Julian Assange is asked to please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate.   

Embassy Address and Phone

24 Grosvenor Square, London, United Kingdom

Switchboard: [44] (0)20 7499-9000