Julian Assange

Got it in one petallus

Julian Assange looks to me like a guy who is full of his own importance and who thinks he is infallible. He might just be the sort of person who would find it hard to believe that not everyone might find him attractive.

Bags Traditional Chinese medicine uses rhino horn as a febrifuge, not an aphrodisiac. Not that it matters because it isn't either.

Those who feel sure they can judge character and even guilt by looks could save the judicial system a fortune.

No more costly court cases!

Meant tot put a at the end

I have just read through this whole thread again and, for the record, there doesn't seem to be a consensus. Rather, there is a considerable range of views – some quite extreme, one way or the other, and a lot in the middle with plenty of provisos. And, like many other threads, masses of stuff that has nothing to do with the subject. As we are once again getting hints that people won't post their views because the majority won't agree with them – a fairly feeble viewpoint in the first place – please note that there does not seem to be a majority to disagree.

Thanks for the analysis, absent. I must admit to having a hard time knowing just what to think about Mr Assange. I don't think he is a genius or a hero and I do think it has to be established whether or not he has a case to answer in Sweden. However, I am aware that he uncovered some highly unpalatable facts that the US administration would rather have kept under wraps. Is he a champion of freedom of information? Sorry, I'm rambling. absent, I need you to put me straight!

He's John Inman! Don't bring lovely old John Humphrys into it!

Lips very different in picture (which is very funny. thanks Trishs)

pettalus a was needed, not a . No one is going that far.

Just typed something and it disappeared ??

I said thanks JO4. Of course Inman. Think I got confused because Inman's character in Are You Being Served? was always talking to a Mr Humphries.

John Inman actually played 'Mr Humphries' didn't he?

Could well have done. I just associate the name Humphries with the actor. I used to love that program.

The best article I've read so far surrounding this whole issue.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/politics/2012/08/pursuit-julian-assange-assault-freedom-and-mockery-journalism

"As we are once again getting hints that people won't post their views because the majority won't agree with them – a fairly feeble viewpoint in the first place –"

You calling me feeble Missis?!

That was to absent of course.

Thank you, butty. Quite an illuminating article. I must be a dyed in the wool cynic because none of it surprised me.

JO4 You may have chosen not to post sometimes on some threads, but no one could ever accuse you of being timid. So no, I'm not.

jingleTIMID the two words shouldn't even appear in the same thread!

On the whole, it didn't surprise me either B. Now a question of waiting and seeing.

Butternut I do like John Pilger, especially when he's really got into gear. He certainly makes some worthwhile points. Was he the guy who wrote Blair's Wars?

I think John Kampfner wrote Blair's Wars but there was another book with the same name so perhaps? I also have great respect and admiration for John Pilger and the article typically shows the depth and range of his knowledge as an independent journalist and thinker.

jeni who is jingle?

John Pilger wrote an article called Blair's Bombs some years ago - maybe that's what you're thinking of, absent and Nanadogsbody.

On the whole I really like his work, and the passion he has in his beliefs. I feel he can always be counted on to have done considerable research, whether one agrees with his sentiments or not. Yes, a marvellous independent journalist and thinker!

jingl was one of the many previous incarnations of JO4!

John Pilger is an Australian and was born in 1939. He has immense experience, having worked for many major newspapers around the world including The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, two of 30% of newspapers not owned by Murdoch in Australia. johnpilger.com/articles

Sort of like the many-headed hydra?

Very!