Massie and Gabbard call for charges against Assange to be dropped

[Natural Citizen]

The main takeaway here is coalition between elected officals who are seen as outsiders by both sides of the historically derelict political duopoly and their propaganda machine. This will be a trend that will continue as we move into future election cycles, both at the local level as well as the national level. But that's likely all I have to say about that. It's a process of continuing growth. Takes time.

Putting that aside, there's still a story here in terms of freedom of the press.

October 2, 2020 - Washington, DC—Today, Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Thomas Massie (KY-04) introduced H.Res.1175, a resolution that defends the freedom of the press, noting that newsgathering activities and news organizations ability to acquire and publish information are protected under the First Amendment. The resolution calls for the United States to drop all charges and efforts to extradite Julian Assange.

“Freedom of the press is a vital function of a free democracy in which the government is accountable to the people. Julian Assange published information that exposed lies and abuses of power at the highest levels of our government. His indictment under the Espionage Act sends a chilling message to every member of the media and all Americans,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “U.S. government prosecutors now claim that any journalist or news organization that publishes classified material is liable to prosecution under the Espionage Act -- which would have led to the indictment of the Washington Post for the publication of the Pentagon Papers. The Federal government’s prosecution of Julian Assange sets a dangerous precedent. All extradition efforts and charges under the Espionage Act against Julian Assange must be dropped now.”

“At a time when government officials claim the right to perform warrantless surveillance upon all American citizens, there is an urgent need to zealously guard freedom of the press and to demand government transparency and accountability. The ongoing attempts to prosecute Julian Assange threaten our First Amendment rights, and should be opposed by all who wish to safeguard our constitutional rights now and in the years to come. I join my colleague, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, in calling for an immediate end to all charges against Mr. Assange,” said Rep. Thomas Massie.

Continued - Massie and Gabbard call for charges against Assange to be dropped

 

[Oddball]

Damn straight.

Assange should receive a medal.

 

[JWBooth]

Assange is a hero and should be treated as such.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I really wish Tulsi would have made an independent run for president after the Democratic Party spited her.

 

[JWBooth]

Hawaii is so Democrat, if she had, she'd never hold office again.

 

[Muhammed]

Trump should pardon him at his medal of freedom ceremony.

 

[night_son]

I really wish Tulsi would have made an independent run for president after the Democratic Party spited her.

This. Tulsi could very well have been the bridge America needed between (D) and (R).

 

[Natural Citizen]

This. Tulsi could very well have been the bridge America needed between (D) and (R).

Who says she still isn't? She was very clear with her intentions during her run for the nomination. She said that people really didn't understand what she was trying to do. She's still doing what she was trying to do. Getting elected to the presidency wasn't really what she was trying to do. But, everybody knows who she is now. And they will remember her name. She's still an active, functional participant in the broader scope of things.

With regard to this particular piece of legislation, she introduced it with Thomas Massie. Everybody knows that Thomas is the the best in Congress.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Most of the people who were talking about "oh, Tulsi should be a Republican'' very likely disagree with this legislation.

So, it makes sense that Gabbard would align with Massie on the issue. Getting back to what NS was saying about bridge building. Gabbard knows fully well what direction to start building. She'll grow over time. In the mean time, start sending her supporters to delegate training. Catch a refresher on Robert's Rules of Order. All that happy stuff. Brush fires...

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

“Freedom of the press is a vital function of a free democracy in which the government is accountable to the people.” ibid

True.

However, this isn’t a freedom of the press issue.

As I noted in another thread concerning a similar topic:

American Constitutional law holds that no right is ‘absolute’ or ‘unlimited’ – including the rights enshrined in the First Amendment.

The press is not at liberty to publish anything it so desires; First Amendment case law recognizes the authority of the government – consistent with that case law – to limit, restrict, or otherwise preempt that which the press seeks to publish.

The burden would rest with the government to demonstrate to a court that if certain information were published, it would place national security at risk – such as publishing troop movements that could jeopardize the lives of solders. If the government’s argument is compelling, the court will enjoin the press from publishing the information.

But Assange isn’t a US citizens, he doesn’t ‘publish’ in the United States, and he’s not subject to American courts; there’s no way to determine if what Assange wishes to publish is entitled to First Amendment protections or subject to lawful government preemption consistent with the Constitution.

Consequently, the Assange extradition case is an effort to intimidate and silence a critic of American foreign policy – and make an example of Assange to others who might also wish to do so.

But until such time as an American court rules otherwise, the government’s actions are not an attack on freedom of the press.

 

[P F Tinmore]

Tulsi Gabbard Introduces Bill to Drop Charges Against Assange