Hero : a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength.
For all that he has done so far it’s hard not to call him a hero.

Rally for Wikileaks – Dublin 18/12/2010
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Dublin: Saturday, December 18, 11:00am – 6:00pm
Location: Central Bank of Ireland, Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland
Directions: Outside the main gates.
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151717948209518

Our statement is such that we shall not stand for this hypocrisy. It is unacceptable that in a free society, those that endeavour to shine a harsh light on the deplorable actions made supposedly in our public interest, fear retribution and incrimination.

Join us and spread the word.
http://wlcentral.org/events-protests#ireland
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/98449
Statement by WL Central
http://wlcentral.org/node/551

Neither.

It’s not possible to ask if Julian is a hero or a villain. To ask such would be to invite that he has undergone some quest which is beyond human generalities. Rather, Julian has simply been part of an organisation that has published (to a very large audience) records that were assembled and uttered by public servants working on behalf of a continuance of elected governance. He essentially bypassed the timelines and processes that one normally associates with freedom of information requests.

What is hugely worrying however, is the reaction of the US, to this case. Free speech, freedom of information, or whatever rights people may claim are being infringed upon, the reality is that the US and numerous US companies are reacting in an extremely right wing manner to somebody exposing matters that cause minor embarrassment. The same level of ridicule and sometimes beyond can be witnessed on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show or any number of other productions. The only difference is that artistic licence rather than sloppy bureaucracy is the script writer for such entertainment. When home truths, exposed in the language of those who harbour “nit picking” as an international security measure and intelligence gathering operation, are aired to the public, the focus quickly shifts to protection rather than suffering ridicule and thus the clampdown on freedom. Sadly in today’s world you can never walk away, without scar, from an argument where, without evidence nor substantiation, you have been accused of being either a racist, terrorist, misogynist, etc. Mud sticks, is the age old adage and it surely does…