Let's face it, the U.S. could take out Julian once he's in Sweden using its Presidential Assassination Squad (PAS) or by using a drone.

Then again he could be rendered by the Americans and disappear into the torture cells of some third world country never to be seen again.

Americans are ever inventive when it comes to stifling dissent!

... OK Joe, how about this? ... you stated: '$ 50 says he (Assange) will not be extradited to the US from Sweden, but from Britain or another country' ... the terms: if you are correct, i will donate AUD50 to a charity of your choice ... if i am correct you can donate AUD50 to WikiLeaks (as i am confident that you are as keen a proponent of free speech, less government intervention and transparent governance as am i ... as is Assange) ... if we are both wrong, all bets are off ... want to produce proof of donation on this forum? ... or would you prefer an escrow service? (which is nothing like the type of 'service' Ch9 dug up as "more proof" in the Thomson case ... ha ha ... i have a credit card silp ... oh they are good ... ha ha) ...

Hi o,

Perhaps I should have kept that bet down to: "$ 50 says he will not be extradited to the US from Sweden." Because I don't think he will be extradited even from Britain or another country.

As you suggest, we're equally concerned about free speech, etc., although I'm pretty sure that all governments should be entitled to a degree of confidentiality in their dealings with each other and Wikileaks may have gone a little too far in breaching those limits.

In any case, yes, I would be happy to donate $50 to Wikileaks if Assange is extradited/rendered/spirited/'loaned' directly from Sweden to the US. If it does not occur within, say, a year after Assange either does his time OR is found not guilty, then I would be grateful if you could donate $50 to the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Cheers,

Joe

>>But everyone knows that this will not happen: Once landed in Sweden, Assange will be sent on the next plane to the USA<<

>>Nobody has a problem with Assange being found guilty of rape, not even Assange himself, but he will NOT be found guilty, and he will not be found innocent either: instead he will be sent straight away to the USA in accordance with a "prisoner exchange" treaty that Sweden has with the USA<<

You seem awfully certain of the outcome of events that have yet to transpire. What is the secret of your awesome precognitive abilities? And why don't you use them to win lotto?

Or are you just speculating about possible outcomes? Because I agree that this is one possible outcome: it just does't seem very probable.

>>Let's face it, the U.S. could take out Julian once he's in Sweden using its Presidential Assassination Squad (PAS) or by using a drone.<<

Because the PAS can't enter Britain? Because drones can't fly south of 55N so they to use diplomatic measures to maneuver him to a more northern location? Let's face it: if the U.S wanted Assange dead that much he'd already be rotting in a pine box.

Cheers,

Tony

Yuyutsu,

I might be wrong but it is possible that if Assange is taken to Sweden, charged with rape, found guilty, and does his time, he would have to be taken back either to Britain or to another country of his choice.

Not being a British citizen and having been found guilty of a serious crime, as a rapist, he would probably he deported from Britain, perhaps to Australia.

If the Yanks wanted to ping him, or at least give notice of such an intention, they might have to do it now before he goes to Sweden, i.e. register a complaint and have it put in the queue - or wait until he is brought back. But strangely, they don't seem to be rushing to do any of that: perhaps they are confident that, in the full glare of international publicity, they can take him out any time with a drone attack.

Arjay would have a reason, involving devilish cunning, why that might be so :)

Cheers,

Joe

sure thing Jo ... the Fred Hollows Foundation is a fantastic cause (i was worried you might make it the ALP or Liberal Party - which would have been difficult to stomach) ... and a year is more than fair ... and yes, i'm happy to change the T&C to 'if Assange is extradited to the US from from Sweden', you do WikiLeaks donation ... no extradition after a year means that i donate to the FHF ... if he does not last the year (unfortunate and unforeseeable accidents etc ...) the bet is incomplete ... is that OK for you?

and i agree that governments are entitled to some secrets ... although i believe that ALL documents should be released after a period of time (redacted if you must) ... and in the case of the docs that WikiLeaks released, the thing i found moist disturbing was the inaccuracy of the reports of civilian casualties ... these are facts of which the public (the taxpayers funding the wars) should be made aware so that they can make better informed choices at elections ... makes for some dispute about where to draw the line ...personally, i'm all for more government exposure rather than the current levels or less ... the reason for my stance is that there will be more open communication and polite dialogue when it's all out in the open (by necessity) which i suspect will provide more agreeable and considered outcomes ... it's what i have found in business and i expect that the same will apply at the international level ...

i would love to hear the arguments of anyone with differing views on this matter ... i am happy to change my position if the argument/evidence stacks up ...