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“Who seriously believes Assange is going to get a fair trial in America? He does not have the remotest hope in hell of being acquitted in a politically motivated trial.”
Given the enormous amount of media exposure over the years and the fact that he’s not an American citizen (as opposed to Snowden) it can be argued that he may not get a “fair” trail as required under the American Constitution.
But, in my view, the actual extradition process and decisions made by UK’s courts and the Home Secretary were not only politically motivated, but also are clear examples of bias and double-standard.
My argument is based on the following:
(1) January, 2021: UK District Judge Vanessa Baraitser blocks extradition of Assange to US.
But, she explicitly concluded that Mr Assange should answer allegations that he aided and abetted hacking, theft and the disclosure of the identities of informants working for the US security agencies – disclosures that endangered their lives.
In English law, according to BBC’s legal correspondent Dominic Casciani, that would be enough for him to be charged with a crime here – and so the route was open for Assange to face trial for the same in the US.
But British extradition law also requires a judge to consider his health.
And so, in the judge’s conclusion, the US was incapable of preventing him from attempting to take his own life.
Therefore, the legal requirement to treat Mr Assange humanely trumps the seriousness of the case that the judge acknowledges he should answer.NOTE: The judge’s decision is very similar to the one made in October 2012 by then-Home Secretary Teresa May in the case involving Gary McKinnon who even admitted to hacking US govrnment’s computers. She blocked the extradition, saying:
“After careful consideration of all of the relevant material, I have concluded that Mr McKinnon’s extradition would give rise to such a high risk of him ending his life that a decision to extradite would be incompatible with Mr McKinnon’s human rights.”
(2) The US appealed the decision and, in December 2021, the High Court in London ruled that Assange could be extradited to the US to face the charges.
(3) Assange’s legal team tried to appeal but, in March 2022, the UK Supreme Court REFUSED Assange PERMISSION to APEAL.
– why the refusal? Where’s the due process?(4) On 17 June 2022, Home Secretary Priti Patel approved the extradition.
– again, why? Couldn’t the Home Secretary follow Teresa May’s decision in 2012?
– or, is it because McKinnon is a British national and Assange is not?“Why do you think Trump rushed through the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court?
The right now has a 6-3 majority on that august body.”So, what is your actual point that you are making, Glad?
However, despite your referenced statistic (6-3), here’s a recent Supreme Court decision that went against Trump himself.
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday brought a formal end to former President Donald Trump’s request to block the release of White House records sought by the Democratic-led congressional panel investigating last year’s deadly attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.
The court’s decision to formally reject Trump’s appeal follows its Jan. 19 order that led to the documents being handed over to the House of Representatives investigative committee by the federal agency that stores government and historical records.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Dec. 9 upheld a lower court ruling that Trump had no basis to challenge President Joe Biden’s decision to allow the records to be handed over to the House of Representatives select committee. Trump then appealed to the Supreme Court
Trump and his allies have waged an ongoing legal battle with the House select committee seeking to block access to documents and witnesses. Trump has sought to invoke a legal principle known as executive privilege, which protects the confidentially of some internal White House communications, a stance rejected by lower courts.
The House committee has said it needed the records to understand any role Trump may have played in fomenting the violence that unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021. His supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to prevent Congress from formally certifying Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory over Trump.
The committee asked the National Archives to produce visitor logs, phone records and written communications between his advisers.
The recent surge in multi-decade high inflation rates globally (eg. UK = 9%, US = 8.6%) was examined by an expert panel which concluded as follows:
“…Alessandra Bonfiglioli (Queen Mary University of London) summarises the consensus view: “The supply-chain crisis affecting most rich countries, as well as the surge in energy prices in the whole of Europe, has certainly played a prominent role. In the case of the UK this was aggravated by the increase in import costs and the shortages of workers from the EU, many of which had returned to their home countries during the lockdowns and were unable/unwilling to come back due to visa issues.” James Smith (Resolution Foundation) concurs: “The biggest driver of inflation at the moment are conditions in global goods markets. In turn, the key driver there has been the normalisation in commodity prices. Issues in global supply chains have exacerbated this.” …
(source: voxeu.org “Surging inflation in the UK”)
BTW, for a fun and mind-boggling read, here’s a link to an article on Zimbabwe’s 80 billion percent rate of inflation and their printing of 100-trillion-dollar-notes which couldn’t even buy a loaf of bread!
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/may/14/zimbabwe-trillion-dollar-note-hyerinflation-investment
“Let’s say, if Wesley Ward would’ve had a runner that got interfered with, do you think the Stewards would’ve demoted the winner? … I do!”
W ell, his top rider received 5 days for careless riding in the Queen Marry, with effect 29th June. Presumably, it will be honored in the US. Rightly so, he’s a total idiot notwithstanding his skills…
Even if the “whole world” deems that this particular ride was dangerous, that’s not the issue in the context of BHA’s position. The BHA seems to be immune from any criticism because their justification is that, other than Canada and the US, all other racing jurisdictions have adopted their rules and not the other way around; i.e. adopting Canadian and American rules. Talk about sheer impudence and arrogance! Stuffy people with no concept of reality and not moving in to the 21st century…
Actually, I’m enjoying Steve Cauthen’s commentary and analysis. How often do we have an opportunity to experience such a moment?…
“…but the BHA has to take a lot of blame for allowing rides like that one to be winners….”
The BHA just issued a statement, which was read on ITV, that reiterated their position. Moreover, the BHA further stated that the rest of the world, including recently France, have adopted their rules with only two outliers; Canada and the US. I read this as their justification for this decision?..
“Evaluating form into chance” is not investing but gambling, by definition. Here’s a good, recent (June 1, 2022) article that explains very well the difference between investing vs gambling.
This in a nutshell:
“…Only one variable distinguishes investing from gambling: The probability of losing on a gamble always exceeds the probability of gain; in investing, the probability of a gain is expected to exceed the probability of a loss….”
“I’m sure we all have minds of our own so maybe we could use them more…”
“That’s why its gambling and not investing…”
Two of THE most insightful comments that I have ever read on this Forum, bar none! And both in the same thread, kudos to both of you…
It’s unfortunate that this Major is being overshadowed by all the LIV crap but, notwithstanding the background noise, it promises to be one exiting tourney given the course and its layout…
My selection is Tommy Fleetwood who, I think, will benefit from this course’s set up…good luck all!
Well done VTC and Ruby. A real world traveller and deserved this victory, great ride and judge of pace by the jockey as he wasn’t too bothered by Shahryar’s early pressure…
Nice call on that MoM, and congrats to all Twighlight backers!
The winner made it look easy…
First of all, congrats Raymo on landing a big prize winner…
Re; Canadian Open, I’m sure the organizers couldn’t have had written a better script for this tourney as the 4th round is promising to be a sponsors and advertisers dream having Rory, Thomas and Finau as the final grouping. Should be an exciting finish…
