But for Two Condoms

I just read a reasonable article about Julian Assange's rape charges in Sweden. My initial thinking on this was that this was a way to get him into custody so that he could be taken off to Guantanamo Bay to disappear for the rest of his life.

The circumstances were just so problematic: he is charged then the charges are dropped. And the charges seem a bit flimsy: not using a condom during sex? First off I don't know who on earth wouldn't use a condom with a stranger (clearly I don't know many people). But secondly why wouldn't the lady in question (who is obviously sensible) just check to make sure there was some rubber between her and Assange. Passion is passion but you usually can notice when someone is putting on a condom. It does take a little time to tear the package and pinch and roll as I was taught in health class. So it all feels a bit dodgy since people want kill this guy for what he has done.

The lesson, clearly, for anyone who would challenge the might of the state (let alone civilization) is to take every step cautiously and to avoid temptation. They will find every speck of dirt on you. They will bend people that knew you to speak against you. They will destroy you in the public mind. If Visa, Mastercard, Amazon, Swiss banks, Paypal, the Democratic and Republican parties, the EU, Canada, academics, etc, etc, etc (essentially the full state and all of civilization--apart from a few civilized hackers) are against you what hope could you have?

Temptation is a powerful stimulus. Assange has a lot of power. He's a hero and rebel. That's sexy. He obviously has let it go to his heads, both of them. This doesn't take away from his message which resonates strongly and is a challenge to the powerful and their secrets and lies. But by giving them an inch, a few it seems, they are going to rake him over the coals. Right now various intelligence agencies are combing the world for other Assange victims. What a monster! A sex fiend! You shouldn't listen to such a sinful man. Listen to sinless politicians, those paragons of virtue who have devoted themselves to the public good, who call for his death(?).

Makes you want to puke doesn't it?

Eventually the cables will be forgotten and so will Assange. This will pass into oblivion like all memory. But not after he has been discredited and savaged and broken for daring to challenge the powerful.

Now get back to work slave!