[throw2016]

There were actually many commentators on HN at one time claiming the US doesn't want Assange and the whole thing is made up by 'paranoid Assange supporters'. We now know that not only did they want him, they want all his stuff and are going to go to any underhanded length to get it.

What is the value of dissent and all the prestensions around democracy and human rights when people are being openly persecuted, it seems only dissent in non western countries is valid at which point europe, the free press, ngos and academics will line up with drums and megaphones to lecture everyone on the importance of 'freedom, democracy and dissent'. This is a fall and complete loss of moral highground to continue these kind of charades in future.

What message does this persecution and demonization of Assange, Manning and Snowden send to future dissentors? This virtually guarantees that even those with the tremendous courage that it takes to stand up to power may need to think twice as they are simply not safe in democractic regimes and the law and process will be used against them while the public are indifferent and others cheer on.

[magduf]

>it seems only dissent in non western countries is valid at which point europe, the free press, ngos and academics will line up with drums and megaphones to lecture everyone on the importance of 'freedom, democracy and dissent'

I just want to point out that this is really about the UK here, since this is where this is happening, and the UK really isn't like the rest of Europe at all, something they made quite clear when they voted for Brexit.

[mantap]

In my experience regular people in the UK are generally sceptical of US geopolitical policy, especially since the Iraq war.

It is only British politicians who want to jump into bed with the US at every available opportunity. Not because they are British, but despite it.

[magduf]

That's BS: the British people are the ones who elect those British politicians "who want to jump into bed with the US". If the people really didn't like this, they'd vote differently.

And unlike here in the US where the Presidential race is so important and that position has excessive power compared to the legislative branch, yet is determined with an archaic method that lately awards the post to someone who didn't win the popular election, in Britain there's multiple parties sharing power (I guess you guys have approval voting?), and the PM is elected from the party in Parliament with the most seats. I really don't think you can make a valid claim that the politicians don't represent the people.

And finally, with Brexit, that was voted for with a popular referendum, and a (narrow) majority chose to leave.

The people of Britain are getting the government they deserve, and that they voted for.