Assange, Hero or villain?

[0iD]

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is granted bail by a London court as he fights sexual assault allegations, but he will remain in custody until an appeal is heard.

Now I know many of you, like me are probably sick-to-the-back-teeth with the whole Wikileaks debacle. However, all I'm asking is this, is Julian Assange a villain, jeopardising government secrets for the sake of sensationalism, or a hero of freedom of speech?

[Singh400]

Needs a poll. And Hero in my opinion.

[Terbinator]

Hero.

[aidanjt]

Anyone who lets you know what your government is up to is your friend. Democracy and secrecy is mutually exclusive.

[GheeTsar]

Somewhere between the two, but I'm a supported as he's a lot closer to hero than villain.

[Lucio]

Definately a villain, he's done all of this for his own personal gain and glory, quite frankly it's a stupid idea to think we should be entitled to know *everything* that goes on in the world.

[aidanjt]

Definately a villain, he's done all of this for his own personal gain and glory, quite frankly it's a stupid idea to think we should be entitled to know *everything* that goes on in the world.

So it's stupid for us to know if our government is participating in war crimes?

[format]

Hero.

Most definitely.

[kalniel]

However, all I'm asking is this, is Julian Assange a villain, jeopardising government secrets for the sake of sensationalism, or a hero of freedom of speech?

Neither: Businessman.

[kasavien]

Depends upon whether or not he is convicted or cleared of rape, then i'll let you know

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I thought the charges were not rape though?? He had sex without a condom which is a punishable offense in Sweden supposedly.

[aidanjt]

As I understand it he has yet to be charged with anything. His warrant required him for questioning regarding accusations. Which so far have amounted to two feminazis finding out he had his way with them both at the same time. One of them had even blogged about how a woman can go about getting legal revenge against men who've womanised them.

[Michael]

I'm not at all sick of the "whole Wikileaks debacle"... I think it's quite gripping actually and look forward to the latest installment.

I did think that Assange may just be a troublemaker when it all started recently, but I took the time to watch some (old) interviews with the guy and he is actually quite fantastic, so if you haven't, give them a watch... here's one to get you started... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNOnvp5t7Do

I also think that this whole rape charge thing is absolutely politically motivated. Within days of the cable leaks starting this guy finds himself in the position of either having to become a fugitive which will not at all help his cause and reputation, or hand himself in. It's barely coincidence.

So, to answer the question. Hero, for me.

[nichomach]

Assange? Neither - egotist, possibly, mercenary, possibly. Bradley Manning, on the other hand, a hero, and one shabbily treated by Assange.

[aidanjt]

I don't think 'mercenary' is a fitting term. Such a person offers paramilitary services for hire.

[Lucio]

As I understand it he has yet to be charged with anything. His warrant required him for questioning regarding accusations. Which so far have amounted to two feminazis finding out he had his way with them both at the same time. One of them had even blogged about how a woman can go about getting legal revenge against men who've womanised them.

Chances are it's a holding charge whilst they sort the real issue of espionage out. However the charge is perfectly valid under Swedish law, and it may even stick according to my friends over there. Closest I can think of is rape by deception, like the case from Israel recently.

Just remember your bias on the subject when deriding the women involved, already a tonne of dirt has been thrown up them by hackers, but they could still be genuine victims. After all anyone willing to publish material without a thought of the consequences or regard to where it came from is either a fool or a ruthless bastard