Assange's 1st public statement after he was released from prison: 'Pled guilty to journalism.'
//Summary - Level-C2//
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made his first public remarks after being released from prison in June. 'I am not free because the system worked. I am free today because I pled guilty to journalism', Assange told the legal affairs and human rights committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. Assange was released in June this year after spending five years in British prison.
//SUMMARY//
Julian Assange delivered a public statement before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, reflecting on his years of imprisonment and the broader implications for press freedom and human rights. He expressed the profound psychological toll of his confinement. He emphasized that his release was not due to the justice system functioning correctly but rather the result of a global campaign advocating for his freedom.
Assange thanked the assembly for its support and acknowledged the systemic failures in legal protections for journalists, noting that safeguards often exist only on paper. He highlighted how his case set a dangerous precedent for criminalizing journalism, with the US government targeting him for publishing truthful information, including war crimes and secret operations. Assange condemned the actions of the US government, describing how it plotted to kidnap or assassinate him and used transnational repression against him, his family, and his colleagues.
He stressed that the freedom to speak and publish the truth is under grave threat in the US and globally. Assange urged institutions like the Council of Europe to act against transnational repression and ensure that what happened to him did not happen to others. He concluded by calling on the assembly to protect journalists and the freedom of expression.
Julian Assange's statement to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reflects his personal experience and a more prominent warning about press freedom and human rights. Here's a detailed and accessible summary of the key points from his statement:
1. A Profound Shift from Isolation to Freedom:
Assange begins by explaining the drastic shift from spending years in isolation at a high-security prison to standing before representatives of 46 nations. He describes his time in jail as a stripping away of his sense of self, leaving only the "raw essence of existence." He admits that speaking publicly after such an ordeal is harrowing, as isolation has taken its toll.
"The experience of isolation for years in a small cell is difficult to convey… it strips away one's sense of self, leaving only the raw essence of existence."
2. Gratitude to the Council and Supporters:
He expresses gratitude to the Parliamentary Assembly for its resolutions in 2020 and 2021, which condemned his imprisonment and assassination plots against him. These efforts, alongside widespread global support from various figures and organizations, were critical in his eventual release. However, he notes that such support should never have been necessary.
"None of the statements, resolutions, reports, films, articles, protests, and letters over the last 14 years should have been necessary… but all of them were necessary because, without them, I never would have seen the light of day."
3. The Failure of Justice:
Assange emphasizes that his release resulted from the justice system working correctly and his accepting a plea deal from the US government. He describes how the system was rigged against him, with the US insisting that he could not file cases with the European Court of Human Rights or make Freedom of Information requests about his treatment.
"I want to be totally clear. I am not free today because the system worked… I am free today after years of incarceration because I pled guilty to journalism."
He explains that the US government's pursuit of him criminalized journalism by prosecuting him for seeking and publishing information of public interest.
4. A Global Assault on Truth and Journalism:
Assange is deeply concerned about how his case has set a dangerous precedent. He believes the US government's actions against him have contributed to a broader attack on worldwide freedom of expression. He links the US prosecution of him to a growing culture of impunity, secrecy, and retaliation against truth-tellers across the globe.
"It is hard not to draw a line from the US government's prosecution of me… to the chilled climate for freedom of expression that exists now."
He reflects on the founding of WikiLeaks, which was driven by a simple idea: to educate the public by revealing how the world works and to empower people to hold power to account. Through WikiLeaks, Assange and his team exposed hidden horrors like assassination programs, torture, and mass surveillance.
5. The US Government's Retaliation:
Assange describes how the US government responded to WikiLeaks' revelations. He recounts how they targeted him, his family, and his colleagues using extreme measures, including illegal spying, hacking, and even planning his assassination.
"It is now a matter of public record that under [Mike] Pompeo's explicit direction, the CIA drew up plans to kidnap and assassinate me."
He reveals how a CIA asset was assigned to track his wife, and they even attempted to obtain his infant son's DNA from a diaper. These actions are part of what Assange calls "transnational repression," a tactic used by powerful intelligence agencies to silence dissent across borders.
6. A Dangerous Precedent for Europe:
Assange warns that the US has asserted a legal position, claiming that only American citizens have free speech rights, and Europeans must comply with US secrecy laws without any defence. He points out that if the US can do this, other powerful nations, such as Russia or China, could follow the same path.
"There is nothing to stop Russia or any other state from targeting European journalists… claiming that their domestic secrecy laws have been violated."
He stresses that this is a significant threat to European journalists and that organizations like the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe must take action to protect freedom of expression.
7. The Role of WikiLeaks and Journalism:
Assange underscores that journalism is not a crime but essential for a free and informed society. WikiLeaks was rooted in the principles of freedom of information and aimed to elevate the public's right to know.
"Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime. It is a pillar of a free and informed society."
He "scribes WikiLeaWikiLeaks, primarily through the publication of classified US military documents, like the infamous "Collat Murder" video", which showed a US helicopter attack in Iraq that killed civilians, including journalists. WikiLeaks didn't reveal the actions; it also exposed the policies and protocols behind such events.
8. Moving Forward:
Toward the end of his statement, Assange reflects on his personal life and the adjustments he faces after years of confinement. He mentions his readaptation of the world, including becoming a father and husband after years of being absent from his family. He also reflects on how the global media landscape has changed since his incarceration, with live-streamed horrors of wars becoming more common but impunity still mounting.
"My readaptation to the world… includes becoming a father again to children who have grown up without me, becoming a husband again, even dealing with a mother-in-law… It sure takes some adjustment."
9. Call to Action:
In his closing remarks, Assange makes an impassioned plea to the Parliamentary Assembly to act now to protect the rights of journalists and prevent transnational repression from becoming the norm. He calls for safeguards to ensure that what happened to him never happens to anyone else. He expresses his gratitude to those who have supported him and stresses the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society.
"Let us all commit to doing our part to ensure that the light of freedom never dims, that the pursuit of truth will live on and that the voices of the many are not silenced by the interests of the few."
Julian Assange's sent reflects his suffering and is a stark warning about the fragility of press freedom in the face of state power. He urges international institutions like the Council of Europe to defend journalists and the truth.
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The biggest reason why President Trump won't concede defeat
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/69378fc5d15b838c07a5db1a8fcfb0a35f60d36d
"Calvinist thinking is behind Trump's thoughts and actions."
In Japan, author Masaru Sato, a former senior analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has long pointed out that Calvinist thinking is behind Trump's seemingly arbitrary thoughts and actions. Sato is a Calvinist, just like President Trump.
"Calvinists believe that those chosen by God are predestined before they are born. It has nothing to do with the individual's efforts."
"This makes you very strong against trials. No matter how terrible things you face, you don't lose. Why? You believe that because it is a trial God gives, you will ultimately win. The question is how to win."
He also analyzed President Trump, saying, "I'm sure he believes God chose him."
What President Trump believes
President Trump is known to be a Presbyterian, a branch of Christian Protestant Calvinism. As a child, President Trump attended a Presbyterian church in Queens, New York City, where he was born and raised. He was confirmed there in 1950 when he was about 13. After that, he went to worship at the Marble Collegiate Church on 5th Avenue in Manhattan every Sunday for about 50 years.
Reverend Norman Vincent Peale of the Marble Collegiate Church greatly influenced President Trump.
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Prime Minister Ishiba and Christianity, Brazil and the Suspension of X
https://note.com/tsubuyaki_go_rou/n/n5e061439e552
I found Sato Masaru's comment yesterday interesting.
Ishiba's family has a Christian faith passed down from the Kumamoto Band, and he is a self-proclaimed Christian.
Now that he has become prime minister, perhaps he is trying to protect his newly acquired position and calibrating his statements.
However, if he is a genuinely ardent Protestant Calvinist, he may be able to use the life entrusted to him by God to advance his mission. Calvinists believe in predestination. They think those who will be saved and our destinies have already been decided. Human will is relative, while God's will is absolute.
This differs from the LDP's previous trends, so opposition and criticism will be inevitable. I often doubt Ishiba's claims and his delicate economic policies.
However, since he was elected prime minister, it is his job to assert his thoughts and reflect them in his policies. If the only task he needs to do is adjust to voices within the party, it would simply be a continuation of the LDP as it has been until now, so there is no need for Ishiba to be in charge.
It would be pretty interesting if Ishiba, remembering that God is watching him, were to focus on what he needs to do and forge ahead.
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What are the "Evangelical Christians" that hold the key to the US presidential election?
Read a preview of "Interpreting World History Through Religion"!
https://www.njg.co.jp/post-33428/
America as a religious nation
Thus, in the 19th century, religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics continued in America. Still, in the 20th century, as anti-religious communist ideology spread, the two factions began to approach each other to counter the threat of communism.
Catholics gradually improved their economic status, and some even entered politics. John F. Kennedy's father, Joseph Kennedy, a Catholic and descendant of Irish immigrants, was a representative example. Incidentally, John F. Kennedy is the only Catholic among the past American presidents. The United States has never elected a president who was not a Christian.
Currently, Protestants tend to support the Republican Party, while Catholics are split equally between Republicans and Democrats. This is because about 40% of Catholics are Hispanic. Latin American countries have been Catholic since the Spanish colonization in the 16th century.
Catholic and Protestant conservatives have successfully incorporated those who have been left behind by globalization and are unemployed and impoverished. Churches criticize globalization and inequality through the Internet and social media.
To Japanese people, America may seem like an atheistic country, but it is a religious nation in which religion is deeply connected to politics. Even among European countries, no other country has such a strong and direct influence on politics as America.
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Shigeru Ishiba - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%9F%B3%E7%A0%B4%E8%8C%82#cite_note-ct240927-200
Shigeru Ishiba (born February 4, 1957 ) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the House of Representatives ( 12 terms), the 102nd Prime Minister, and the 28th President of the Liberal Democratic Party. His blood type is B.
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Donald John Trump - Wikipedia
Donald John Trump ( born June 14, 1946 ) is an American politician and businessman. He is the 45th president of the United States ( in office: January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021 ). After gaining fame as a wealthy real estate tycoon and working as a reality TV show host, he ran for President as a Republican candidate in the 2016 presidential election, won, and served one term as President of the United States. In May 2024, he became the first former President of the United States to be convicted of a crime.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZFtIauvoSY
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[Even with a 50.7% approval rating...] Kan Ito explains why the US and China will benefit from the birth of the Ishiba Cabinet (Toranomon News)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_izZBnw58s
[Toranomon News] Kan Ito and Kunihiko Takeda talk about former President Trump and Kamala Harris in the US presidential election (Toranomon News clipping)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZvHc5aYOu0&t=162s
A conversation between Kan Ito and Toshiaki Yoshino: Wealth concentrated in the top 1% of the US and the neutrality Japan should aim for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW5FKG-QeoA
10.5 Ms. Ponkotsu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-LgggKT2bs&t=616s
President Trump returns to The scene, Elon's first rally stage; what did he say in full support of President Trump? | Trump | Elon | Musk | Election
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-IGarSSSH8
Fight, fight, fight. Vote, vote, vote: Elon Musk puts on a show at Trump rally
Elon Musk joins Trump onstage at Butler rally: If you're seeing this, I have 1 ask of you
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It was revealed that emergency funds intended for disaster relief were used for something else! Team Elon Musk's battle, Biden administration unable to support disaster-stricken areas | Trump | Elon | Biden | Harris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OxCoCojDMY&t=15s
Mark Zuckerberg Does COMPLETE 180, Apologizes For HATING TRUMP in SHOCKING Twist!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUIF0wXYWKA
The never-ending tit-for-tat war between Israel and Hezbollah and the US's lack of interest in a ceasefire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC_2emuCwyw
Israel is currently planning air strikes and a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon, but the premise is to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah. So, I looked at the scale of the retaliation between Israel and Hezbollah based on data released by Bloomberg in the United States.
JUST NOW: Elon Musk SHOCKS Tucker Carlson About AI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duWvVunUOuA
Elon Musk X Tucker Carlson Interview - CobraCast 199
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqE3f6YX5ww
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Tucker Carlson interviews Elon Musk: "If Trump loses, I'll be in jail"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFLuZEemtog&t=73s
https://x.com/search?q=Tucker+Carlson&src=typed_query
a)
09:53
Illegal immigration is also a big issue in this presidential election.
Elon Musk is saying that, in my opinion, if Trump does not win this election, it will be his last.
What I mean is that in the past three years, the Democrats have sent a lot of illegal immigrants to swing states.
b)
With the Biden-Harris administration, it will be 700% in three years.
The swing state vote difference is only 120,000 votes.
What will happen if we send several hundred thousand people to each swing state?
They will overwhelmingly vote for the Democrats to receive welfare benefits.
c)
In other words, in these swing states, these illegal immigrants who have only been sent there will eventually gain citizenship, receive welfare benefits, and vote for the Democrats who will give them welfare benefits.
Then, the swing states are currently swing states because the difference in votes is only 1.12 million, but that will change.
d)
10:58
Elon Musk says that if the Democrats take another four years of power, they will legalize many of the illegal immigrants that already exist, and in the next election, there will be no swing states.
This is the real reason why Biden opened the southern border with Mexico as soon as he took office and let illegal immigrants into the United States like a raging torrent.
e)
No matter what elections are held, the Democrats will always win, and the one-party dictatorship of the Democratic Party will continue forever. This is what the Democrats are aiming for.
Tucker Carlson said this on FOX News in April 2023, even before he was fired.
What Tucker said, Elon said in this interview with Tucker.
