Common sense has called time on the Julian Assange affair (“ ”, June 27), yet in many ways the jury in WikiLeaks v the world is still out. The interminable arguments for and against will endure: freedom of speech v national security, individual rights v the common good, truth v justice. At least it has all served the useful purpose of shaking some dusty ideas out of their comfort zone and holding them up to the light.
We’ll never know where a “real” jury might have landed, but we can look forward to years of fascinating hypotheticals. My elation and relief at the release of Assange were quickly displaced by rage at the injustice heaped upon this man. Where does one start? Attacking a publisher.
Pursuing false accusations of rape. Extraterritoriality of the US, with obsequious Australia playing along. Solitary confinement for more than five years, to what end? It is time to take real action to protect journalists and whistleblowers.
To paraphrase Plato, to simply appear just is the worst type of justice. I’ll tell you what isn’t appropriate, Simon Birmingham (“ ”, smh.com.
au, June 27). Your party pushing a nuclear future with no economic benefit or scientific backing. Playing endless and dangerous games with my grandchildren’s future with your lack of support for real action on climate change and environmental degradation.
That’s not appropriate. Nor was it appropriate to play division politics with the Voice. Or to not speak up or fight for our universit.
