Daily Archives: June 3, 2019

2019-06-03: News Headlines

Chris Hedges (2019-06-03). Manufacturing War With Russia. truthdig.com Despite the Robert Mueller report's conclusion that Donald Trump and his campaign did not collude with Russia during the 2016 presidential race, the new Cold War with Moscow shows little sign of abating. It is used to justify the expansion of NATO to Russia's borders, a move that has made billions in profits for U.S. arms manufacturers. It is used to demonize domestic critics and alternative media outlets as agents of a foreign power. It is used to paper over the Democratic Party's betrayal of the working class and the party's subservience to corporate power. It is used to discredit détente between the world's tw…

Massoud Nayeri (2019-06-03). A Nuclear War Has No Victor! U.S. Military Preparation is Underway. globalresearch.ca On May 30th, Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times wrote: "Mueller Delivered a Message. Washington Couldn't Agree on What It Was." In this article, he argues that the statement by "Robert S. Mueller …

Jack Rasmus (2019-06-03). Mueller Talks and the Tyrant Walks. counterpunch.org Special counsel Mueller went before the cameras and in nine minutes essentially said his report was all he had to say and he wouldn't go before Congress, even if subpoenaed, to say anything else. Mueller summarized his recent report in the nine minutes. Here's what he concluded were its main points: First, there was insufficient More

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2019-06-03). Cults of Impeachment: The Mueller Report, Trump and Wedging the Democrats. globalresearch.ca It is a giddy intoxicant, and making all who partake fall over in puddling nonsense. The Mueller Report is not turning out to be the cleansing agent any of its readers were hoping for. Originally encouraged to identify the cause …

Thomas Knapp (2019-06-03). "Spying": Comey Doth Protest Too Much. counterpunch.org "We didn't 'spy' on anyone's campaign," writes former FBI director James Comey in a recent Washington Post op-ed. "We asked a federal judge for permission to surveil" former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page," but that's not "spying." Before that (unmentioned in the op-ed), we infiltrated an informant into the campaign to gather information on More

ACLU (2019-06-03). The Hypocrisy of William Barr's Spying Claims. aclu.org Lawyers from Barr's Justice Department are trying to block a federal court from holding the government accountable for its surveillance of Americans. | This piece originally ran at Slate. | Discussing the origins of the FBI's Russia investigation, Attorney General William Barr recently claimed that " Government power was used to spy on American citizens." He went on to say, "I…

CGTN America (2019-06-03). Why is the US targeting Huawei? cgtn.com Huawei is the world's largest provider of smartphones, but the U.S. is accusing it of spying on behalf of the Chinese government, increasing tensions ahead of a looming trade war. The Heat Podcast talks with senior correspondent Nathan King about the controversy.

Robert Fisk (2019-06-03). The Final Punishment of Julian Assange. counterpunch.org From the start, I've been worried about the effect of Wikileaks, not on the brutal western governments whose activities it has disclosed in shocking detail (especially in the Middle East) but on the practice of journalism. When we scribes were served up this Wikileaks pottage, we jumped in, paddled around and splashed the walls of reporting with our cries of horror. And we forgot that real investigative journalism was about the dogged pursuit of truth through one's own sources rather than upsetting a bowl of secrets in front of readers, secrets which Assange and co — rather than us — had chosen to mak…

WSWS (2019-06-03). Protests in London and Edinburgh demand freedom for Assange and Manning. wsws.org A protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday was organised via social media and endorsed by the Julian Assange Defence Committee.

WSWS Repost (2019-06-03). Why is the Democratic Socialists of America silent on the persecution of Julian Assange? indybay.org Having been silent about defending Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, the Democratic Socialists of America is exposed as imperialist and undemocratic. It is not a true socialist party.

WSWS (2019-06-03). Valentina Flex, organiser of Edinburgh Assange and Manning protest, speaks to the WSWS. wsws.org Flex organised a protest in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning outside the US Consulate last Saturday.

plenglish (2019-06-03). Swedish Court Rules Out Arrest Warrant For Assange. plenglish.com Stockholm, Jun 3 (Prensa Latina) A court in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Monday ruled out issuing an arrest warrant in absentia against the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, who is in serious health conditions in the British prison of Belmarsh.

Consortiumnews (2019-06-03). Don't Be Fooled: Media Still Selling Out Assange. consortiumnews.com The media outlets that have suddenly rushed to Assange's cause are doing so out of self-protection, writes Jonathan Cook, not legal or journalistic principle. By JonathanCook Jonathan-Cook.net A few corporate media publications have finally come out in very half-hearted support… Read more →

WSWS (2019-06-03). Sydney Peace Prize recipients demand Australian government defend Assange. wsws.org The statement was a powerful indictment of the Australian political and media establishment, which has abandoned the WikiLeaks founder or openly participated in his persecution.

Corinna Barnard (2019-06-03). Abuses Show Assange Case Was Never About Law. consortiumnews.com Jonathan Cook says 17 glaring legal anomalies provide overwhelming evidence that the WikiLeaks publisher has been the victim of political persecution. By Jonathan Cook Jonathan-Cook.net It is astonishing how often one still hears well-informed, otherwise reasonable people say about Julian… Read more →

WSWS (2019-06-03). Britain and Australia dismiss UN report that Assange has been tortured. wsws.org The brazen responses demonstrate the criminality of the US-led vendetta against Assange, which is proceeding in violation of due process and the fundamental tenets of international law.

RT (2019-06-03). Leaked Pompeo tape adds to growing doubts over Trump's 'deal of century' for Middle East. rt.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly admitted that many have doubts over the US peace plan for the Middle East and it may fail. The "deal of the century" was already rejected by Palestine and earned skepticism from the EU.

RT (2019-06-03). Leaked Pompeo tape adds to growing doubts over Trump's 'deal of century' for Middle East. rt.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly admitted that many have doubts over the US peace plan for the Middle East and it may fail. The "deal of the century" was already rejected by Palestine and earned skepticism from the EU.

WSWS (2019-06-03). Pompeo visit exposes deepening tensions between Germany and US. wsws.org In his visit to Berlin, US Secretary of State Pompeo reiterated long-standing differences and restated Washington's threats against Germany.

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2019-06-03). Pompeo Admits Kushner Peace Plan Likely Unworkable as Trump's Son-in-Law Openly Dehumanizes Palestinian People. commondreams.org "I get why people think this is going to be a deal that only the Israelis could love," secretary of state says in leaked audio | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/kushner-pompeo-mideast.jpg

Staff (2019-06-03). Mike Pompeo Destroys Jared Kushner's 'Deal of the Century'. truthdig.com In private remarks that were recorded and leaked, the Secretary of State threw cold water on the unrevealed plan for Israel and Palestine.

Ben Armbruster (2019-06-03). How mainstream US media is failing us on Trump and Bolton's march to war with Iran. nationofchange.org The Trump administration and its allies are slow-walking the United States into war with Iran, and, with a few notable exceptions, mainstream U.S. media is helping them. | Much of this assistance has been overt. | Just like during the run-up to the Iraq war, outlets like CNN, NBC, and | the New York Times have in recent we…

Ben Armbruster (2019-06-03). How Mainstream U.S. Media Is Failing Us on Trump and Bolton's March to War with Iran. globalresearch.ca The Trump administration and its allies are slow-walking the United States into war with Iran, and, with a few notable exceptions, mainstream U.S. media is helping them. | Much of this assistance has been overt. Just like during the run-up …

MAIL (2019-06-03). Clarence Thomas Cited This Author's Book to Link Abortion to Eugenics. He Says "It's Just Not True" democracynow.org Justice Clarence Thomas sparked harsh rebuke last week after claiming that abortion rights can be traced back to the 20th century eugenics movement. He made the comments in a 20-page opinion after the Supreme Court declined last week to take up a provision of an Indiana law that bars abortions based on the sex, race or disability of the fetus. The decision keeps in place a lower court injunction on the measure. But Justice Thomas indicated that he supports the law, writing in his opinion, "Enshrining a constitutional right to an abortion based solely on the race, sex, or disability of an unborn child, as Planned…

Register Peace & Freedom or Green (2019-06-03). Abortion Bans; S.F. Anti-Abortion Marches; Free Abortion on Demand. indybay.org As the United States gets ready to join the backward countries of the world with a ban on abortion, we must ask, how did we get to this point? Why have the Democrats been promoting anti-abortion candidates? How did at least 5 anti-abortion Supreme Court justices get confirmed? Why didn't Democrat Obama who had a Democratic majority Congress in both houses in his first two years sign a law legalizing abortion so we would not have to depend on a pro-abortion majority in the Supreme Court? What kind of society is this that allows constant wars on women and the right to abortion? Why don't we have free abortion on de…

ACLU (2019-06-03). Who Controls Our Genes? Congress Is Deciding Right Now And It Could Harm Our Health. aclu.org Draft legislation will try to undo Supreme Court precedent forbidding patenting of human genes. | This morning the ACLU, along with 169 other civil rights, medical, scientific, patient advocacy, and women's health organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, Breast Cancer Action, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, the Huntington's Disease Society of America, the Women's March, University of Washington, and many others sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property strong…

Bill Blum (2019-06-03). The Supreme Court's Harrowing New Lurch Right. truthdig.com Roe v. Wade is in grave peril, but that's not all. A pair of recent decisions along party lines threaten decades of liberal court rulings.

Robert Fisk (2019-06-03). The Final Punishment of Julian Assange. counterpunch.org From the start, I've been worried about the effect of Wikileaks, not on the brutal western governments whose activities it has disclosed in shocking detail (especially in the Middle East) but on the practice of journalism. When we scribes were served up this Wikileaks pottage, we jumped in, paddled around and splashed the walls of reporting with our cries of horror. And we forgot that real investigative journalism was about the dogged pursuit of truth through one's own sources rather than upsetting a bowl of secrets in front of readers, secrets which Assange and co — rather than us — had chosen to mak…

Futher Column, By Abby Zimet, Staff Writer (2019-06-02). Party and Politic: A Celebration of the American Citizen. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/further/mueller-win_mcnamee_alamy_t0yje9.jpg

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2019-06-02). Desperate MH17 "Intelligence" Spin. Ukraine Secret Service Contends that "Pro-Russian Rebels had Targeted a Russian Passenger Plane". "But Shot Down Flight MH17 by Mistake" globalresearch.ca According to Ukraine's Secret Service, the alleged design of the pro-Russian rebels was to shoot down a Russian passenger plane, with a view to blaming the Ukrainian government and justifying a Russian invasion.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2019-06-01). Findings of Torture: The UN Rapporteur and Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca Another crude and sad chapter, yet more evidence of a system's vengeance against its challengers. Julian Assange, like they dying Roman emperor Vespasian, may be transforming into a god of sorts, but the suffering of his mortal physical is …

Craig Murray (2019-06-01). Julian Assange and the Unrelenting State. globalresearch.ca We are seriously worried about the condition of Julian Assange. He was too unwell to appear in court yesterday, and his Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelson, found him in a state where he was unable to conduct a conversation …

Pierre Tristam (2019-06-01). Trump Against the First Amendment. commondreams.org Julian Assange after being arrested by U.K. authorities in May. (Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/assange_4.jpg

Binoy Kampmark (2019-06-01). Findings of Torture: The UN Rapporteur and Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.org Another crude and sad chapter, yet more evidence of a system's vengeance against its challengers. Julian Assange, like they dying Roman emperor Vespasian, may be transforming into a god of sorts, but the suffering of his mortal physical is finding its mark. While some in the cynical, narcissistic press corps still find little to commend …

Staff (2019-05-31). Col. Larry Wilkerson on Mueller and Courage to Impeach Trump. therealnews.com Chuck Schumer to Nancy Pelosi, Democrats are cowardly, incompetent and without courage to begin impeachment proceedings says Col. Larry Wilkerson…

Kevin Gosztola (2019-05-31). UN Special Rapporteur On Torture: 'The Collective Persecution Of Julian Assange Must End Here And Now'. shadowproof.com In a blistering statement against democratic countries collaborating to prosecute and enable the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture condemned the "collective persecution" against him. "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence, and political persecution, I have never seen a…

Caitlin Johnstone (2019-05-31). The UN Torture Report on Assange Is an Indictment of Our Entire Society. dissidentvoice.org On the eighth of April, shortly before London police forcibly carried WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange out of the Ecuadorian embassy, a doctor named Sondra S Crosby wrote a letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting that the office look into Assange's case. Today, following a scorching rebuke of multiple …

United Nations (2019-05-31). Friday's Daily Brief: Fundraising for Mozambique, Assange's rights, Asia-Pacific development, Somalia and Sudan updates. un.org This Friday, we cover: a donor conference to support life-saving and recovery aid for Mozambique following two recent devastating cyclones; the need to respect Wikileaks' Assange's rights; how Asia-Pacific is working towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ; news from Somalia and Sudan; and a new stamp honouring Kofi Annan.

susan_p (2019-05-31). Poetry: A battle over truth. greenleft.org.au This is a battle over truth and freedom of the press. But the debate has been shifted to focus solely on one man, because it is much easier to vilify a man than freedom and democracy. Freedom will be plucked from our hands if we debate it on the merits of one man. | ***
For freedom, not Assange | Silent steps are taken in the dark | The shadows of history are seen on the walls | Power cringes in the light of truth | Behind closed doors truth is classified | Our fate sealed with government stamps | Truth only becomes truth by inspection | | So the gates are locked | Truth deemed such a fragile flower | That i…

Jeffrey St. Clair (2019-05-31). Roaming Charges: Intimations of Imbecility. counterpunch.org + Every reporter, editor and publisher who used or cited any document published by Wikileaks should file an amicus brief opposing his indictment and extradition, since Assange is being indicted on their behalf. + Out of a total eleven prosecutions under the Espionage Act against government officials accused of providing classified information to the media, More

susan_p (2019-05-31). WikiLeaks: Assange indictments 'the gravest attack on press freedom'. greenleft.org.au In response to the news on May 24 that the United States government is seeking to lay multiple espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the organisation accused US President Donald Trump's administration of launching "an unprecedented attack on the global free press". | The unsealed Espionage Act charges carry combined sentences of 175 years in prison and relate to disclosures of war crimes and human rights abuses by the US government, including the groundbreaking Collateral Murder video, Iraq War Logs, Afghan War Diaries, Cablegate, and the Guantanamo Bay Detainee Manuals, published in 2010 an…

Jon Wiener (2019-05-31). Opposing Julian Assange's Extradition Is Essential—Even if You Dislike Him. thenation.com Opposing Julian Assange's Extradition Is Essential—Even if You Dislike Him…

RT (2019-05-31). Assange Hospitalized, "dagger in journalist hearts" — George Galloway. dissidentvoice.org The attorney of WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange's has revealed that he was too ill to appear in a video chat for his extradition hearing. Assange has spent the past seven weeks at Belmarsh prison, where his health has continued to deteriorate. The WikiLeaks founder faces extradition to the US over "espionage" charges dating …

MAIL (2019-05-31). U.N. Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed, Citing "Psychological Torture" democracynow.org The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a lo…

RT (2019-05-31). Craig Murray on Julian Assange: "I have no confidence whatsoever in the British justice system" dissidentvoice.org "I have no confidence whatsoever in the British justice system" says Craig Murray after Wikileaks are 'gravely concerned' over sharp decline in Julian Assange's health.

Consortium News (2019-05-31). UN Torture Report: "Demonized" Assange Has Faced "Psychological Torture" theantimedia.com (CN) — The UN special rapporteur on torture has issued a stinging rebuke to the United States, Great Britain, Sweden and Ecuador for "deliberately" exposing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to years of "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," which can only be described as "psychological torture." "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political …

Consortiumnews (2019-05-31). UN Torture Report: 'Demonized' Assange Has Faced 'Psychological Torture'. consortiumnews.com The UN special rapporteur on torture has blasted four nations for imposing psychological torture on Julian Assange. 'A Relentless and Unrestrained Campaign of Public Mobbing, Intimidation and Defamation' Warns of 'Criminalization of Journalism' By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News… Read more →

United Nations (2019-05-31). UN expert criticizes States for 'ganging up' on Wikileaks' Assange; warns against extradition, fearing 'serious' rights violations. un.org After visiting Julian Assange in a London prison, an independent UN human rights expert expressed urgent concern on Friday, for the Wikileaks co-founder's well-being, accusing "a group of democratic States" of "ganging up" on the prisoner to "isolate, demonize and abuse" him and warned against extraditing the controversial publisher to the United States.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-31). UN Says Assange Tortured: Watch the Webcast. consortiumnews.com Julian Assange was "psychologically tortured" by four nations ganging up on him, said the UN special rapporteur on torture. Watch the replay with Pentagon Papers whistle blower Dan Ellsberg, and other guests. The 32nd webcast vigil for Julian Assange was… Read more →

Bruce Shapiro (2019-05-31). Trump's Charges Against Julian Assange Would Effectively Criminalize Investigative Journalism. thenation.com Trump's Charges Against Julian Assange Would Effectively Criminalize Investigative Journalism…

2019-06-03: Social Media Postees

A Nuclear War Has No Victor! U.S. Military Preparation is Underway
Massoud Nayeri | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-03
On May 30th, Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times wrote: "Mueller Delivered a Message. Washington Couldn't Agree on What It Was." In this article, he argues that the statement by "Robert S. Mueller …
globalresearch.ca/nuclear-war-no-victor/5679339

Cults of Impeachment: The Mueller Report, Trump and Wedging the Democrats
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-03
It is a giddy intoxicant, and making all who partake fall over in puddling nonsense. The Mueller Report is not turning out to be the cleansing agent any of its readers were hoping for. Originally encouraged to identify the cause …
globalresearch.ca/mueller-report-trump-wedging-democrats/5679350

Mueller Talks and the Tyrant Walks
Jack Rasmus | counterpunch.org | 2019-06-03
Special counsel Mueller went before the cameras and in nine minutes essentially said his report was all he had to say and he wouldn't go before Congress, even if subpoenaed, to say anything else. Mueller summarized his recent report in the nine minutes. Here's what he concluded were its main points: First, there was insufficient…
counterpunch.org/2019/06/03/mueller-talks-and-the-tyrant-walks/

Cults of Impeachment: The Mueller Report, Trump and Wedging the Democrats
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-03
It is a giddy intoxicant, and making all who partake fall over in puddling nonsense. The Mueller Report is not turning out to be the cleansing agent any of its readers were hoping for. Originally encouraged to identify the cause …
globalresearch.ca/mueller-report-trump-wedging-democrats/5679350

Manufacturing War With Russia
Chris Hedges | truthdig.com | 2019-06-03
Despite the Robert Mueller report's conclusion that Donald Trump and his campaign did not collude with Russia during the 2016 presidential race, the new Cold War with Moscow shows little sign of abating. It is used to justify the expansion of NATO to Russia's borders, a move that has made billions in profits for U.S. arms manufacturers. It is used to demonize domestic critics and alternative media outlets as agents of a foreign power. It is used to paper over the Democratic Party's betrayal of the working class and the party's subservience to corporate power. It is used to discredit détente between the world's tw…
truthdig.com/articles/manufacturing-war-with-russia/

The Hypocrisy of William Barr's Spying Claims
aclu.org | 2019-06-03
Lawyers from Barr's Justice Department are trying to block a federal court from holding the government accountable for its surveillance of Americans. | This piece originally ran at Slate. | Discussing the origins of the FBI's Russia investigation, Attorney General William Barr recently claimed that " Government power was used to spy on American citizens." He went on to say, "I…
aclu.org/blog/national-security/privacy-and-surveillance/hypocrisy-william-barrs-spying-claims

"Spying": Comey Doth Protest Too Much
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2019-06-03
"We didn't 'spy' on anyone's campaign," writes former FBI director James Comey in a recent Washington Post op-ed. "We asked a federal judge for permission to surveil" former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page," but that's not "spying." Before that (unmentioned in the op-ed), we infiltrated an informant into the campaign to gather information on…
counterpunch.org/2019/06/03/spying-comey-doth-protest-too-much/

Why is the US targeting Huawei?
CGTN America | cgtn.com | 2019-06-03
Huawei is the world's largest provider of smartphones, but the U.S. is accusing it of spying on behalf of the Chinese government, increasing tensions ahead of a looming trade war. The Heat Podcast talks with senior correspondent Nathan King about the controversy.
america.cgtn.com/2019/06/03/why-is-the-us-targeting-huawei

Protests in London and Edinburgh demand freedom for Assange and Manning
wsws.org | 2019-06-03
A protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday was organised via social media and endorsed by the Julian Assange Defence Committee.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/03/prot-j03.html

Don't Be Fooled: Media Still Selling Out Assange
consortiumnews.com | 2019-06-03
The media outlets that have suddenly rushed to Assange's cause are doing so out of self-protection, writes Jonathan Cook, not legal or journalistic principle. By JonathanCook Jonathan-Cook.net A few corporate media publications have finally come out in very half-hearted support… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/06/03/dont-be-fooled-media-still-selling-out-assange/

Valentina Flex, organiser of Edinburgh Assange and Manning protest, speaks to the WSWS
wsws.org | 2019-06-03
Flex organised a protest in defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning outside the US Consulate last Saturday.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/03/assa-j03.html

Swedish Court Rules Out Arrest Warrant For Assange
plenglish.com | 2019-06-03
Stockholm, Jun 3 (Prensa Latina) A court in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Monday ruled out issuing an arrest warrant in absentia against the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, who is in serious health conditions in the British prison of Belmarsh.
www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=42753&SEO=swedish-court-rules-out-arrest-warrant-for-assange

Emergency Action- Protest Sweden's Attack on Julian Assange!
BAACFJA | indybay.org | 2019-06-03
In front of: Swedish Consulate, 505 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/28/18823650.php

Britain and Australia dismiss UN report that Assange has been tortured
wsws.org | 2019-06-03
The brazen responses demonstrate the criminality of the US-led vendetta against Assange, which is proceeding in violation of due process and the fundamental tenets of international law.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/03/tort-j03.html

The Final Punishment of Julian Assange
Robert Fisk | counterpunch.org | 2019-06-03
From the start, I've been worried about the effect of Wikileaks, not on the brutal western governments whose activities it has disclosed in shocking detail (especially in the Middle East) but on the practice of journalism. When we scribes were served up this Wikileaks pottage, we jumped in, paddled around and splashed the walls of reporting with our cries of horror. And we forgot that real investigative journalism was about the dogged pursuit of truth through one's own sources rather than upsetting a bowl of secrets in front of readers, secrets which Assange and co — rather than us — had chosen to mak…
counterpunch.org/2019/06/03/the-final-punishment-of-julian-assange/

Abuses Show Assange Case Was Never About Law
Corinna Barnard | consortiumnews.com | 2019-06-03
Jonathan Cook says 17 glaring legal anomalies provide overwhelming evidence that the WikiLeaks publisher has been the victim of political persecution. By Jonathan Cook Jonathan-Cook.net It is astonishing how often one still hears well-informed, otherwise reasonable people say about Julian… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/06/03/abuses-show-assange-case-was-never-about-law/

Sydney Peace Prize recipients demand Australian government defend Assange
wsws.org | 2019-06-03
The statement was a powerful indictment of the Australian political and media establishment, which has abandoned the WikiLeaks founder or openly participated in his persecution.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/03/sydd-j03.html

Why is the Democratic Socialists of America silent on the persecution of Julian Assange?
WSWS Repost | indybay.org | 2019-06-03
Having been silent about defending Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, the Democratic Socialists of America is exposed as imperialist and undemocratic. It is not a true socialist party.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/29/18823659.php

Pompeo Admits Kushner Peace Plan Likely Unworkable as Trump's Son-in-Law Openly Dehumanizes Palestinian People
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-06-03
"I get why people think this is going to be a deal that only the Israelis could love," secretary of state says in leaked audio | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/kushner-pompeo-mideast.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/06/03/pompeo-admits-kushner-peace-plan-likely-unworkable-trumps-son-law-openly-dehumanizes?cd-origin=rss

Mike Pompeo Destroys Jared Kushner's 'Deal of the Century'
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-06-03
In private remarks that were recorded and leaked, the Secretary of State threw cold water on the unrevealed plan for Israel and Palestine.
truthdig.com/articles/mike-pompeo-destroys-jared-kushners-deal-of-the-century/

Pompeo visit exposes deepening tensions between Germany and US
wsws.org | 2019-06-03
In his visit to Berlin, US Secretary of State Pompeo reiterated long-standing differences and restated Washington's threats against Germany.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/06/03/pomp-j03.html

Leaked Pompeo tape adds to growing doubts over Trump's 'deal of century' for Middle East
rt.com | 2019-06-03
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly admitted that many have doubts over the US peace plan for the Middle East and it may fail. The "deal of the century" was already rejected by Palestine and earned skepticism from the EU. | …
rt.com/usa/460947-pompeo-peace-plan-comments/

Clarence Thomas Cited This Author's Book to Link Abortion to Eugenics. He Says "It's Just Not True"
MAIL | democracynow.org | 2019-06-03
Justice Clarence Thomas sparked harsh rebuke last week after claiming that abortion rights can be traced back to the 20th century eugenics movement. He made the comments in a 20-page opinion after the Supreme Court declined last week to take up a provision of an Indiana law that bars abortions based on the sex, race or disability of the fetus. The decision keeps in place a lower court injunction on the measure. But Justice Thomas indicated that he supports the law, writing in his opinion, "Enshrining a constitutional right to an abortion based solely on the race, sex, or disability of an unborn child, as Planned…
www.democracynow.org/2019/6/3/clarence_thomas_cited_this_authors_book

The Supreme Court's Harrowing New Lurch Right
Bill Blum | truthdig.com | 2019-06-03
Roe v. Wade is in grave peril, but that's not all. A pair of recent decisions along party lines threaten decades of liberal court rulings.
truthdig.com/articles/the-supreme-courts-harrowing-new-lurch-right/

Abortion Bans; S.F. Anti-Abortion Marches; Free Abortion on Demand
Register Peace & Freedom or Green | indybay.org | 2019-06-03
As the United States gets ready to join the backward countries of the world with a ban on abortion, we must ask, how did we get to this point? Why have the Democrats been promoting anti-abortion candidates? How did at least 5 anti-abortion Supreme Court justices get confirmed? Why didn't Democrat Obama who had a Democratic majority Congress in both houses in his first two years sign a law legalizing abortion so we would not have to depend on a pro-abortion majority in the Supreme Court? What kind of society is this that allows constant wars on women and the right to abortion? Why don't we have free abortion on de…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/06/02/18823702.php

Who Controls Our Genes? Congress Is Deciding Right Now And It Could Harm Our Health
aclu.org | 2019-06-03
Draft legislation will try to undo Supreme Court precedent forbidding patenting of human genes. | This morning the ACLU, along with 169 other civil rights, medical, scientific, patient advocacy, and women's health organizations, including the Mayo Clinic, Breast Cancer Action, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, the Huntington's Disease Society of America, the Women's March, University of Washington, and many others sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property strong…
aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/medical-and-genetic-privacy/who-controls-our-genes-congress-deciding-right

Party and Politic: A Celebration of the American Citizen
Futher Column, By Abby Zimet, Staff Writer | commondreams.org | 2019-06-02
commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/further/mueller-win_mcnamee_alamy_t0yje9.jpg…

Desperate MH17 "Intelligence" Spin. Ukraine Secret Service Contends that "Pro-Russian Rebels had Targeted a Russian Passenger Plane". "But Shot Down Flight MH17 by Mistake"
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-02
According to Ukraine's Secret Service, the alleged design of the pro-Russian rebels was to shoot down a Russian passenger plane, with a view to blaming the Ukrainian government and justifying a Russian invasion.
globalresearch.ca/desperate-mh-17-intelligence-spin-by-ukraine-secret-service-pro-russian-rebels-had-targeted-a-russian-passenger-plane/5395501

Findings of Torture: The UN Rapporteur and Julian Assange
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-01
Another crude and sad chapter, yet more evidence of a system's vengeance against its challengers. Julian Assange, like they dying Roman emperor Vespasian, may be transforming into a god of sorts, but the suffering of his mortal physical is …
globalresearch.ca/findings-torture-un-rapporteur-julian-assange/5679205

Trump Against the First Amendment
Pierre Tristam | commondreams.org | 2019-06-01
Julian Assange after being arrested by U.K. authorities in May. (Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/assange_4.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2019/06/01/trump-against-first-amendment?cd-origin=rss

UN Condemns the Psychological Torture Inflicted Upon Julian Assange. "Coordinated" by UK, US, Sweden and Ecuador
Dr. Leon Tressell | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-01
The UN Torture Expert, Nils Melzer, has strongly condemned the psychological torture inflicted upon WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange by a coalition of countries led by the United States and United Kingdom. | The WikiLeaks publisher has spent over 7 weeks …
globalresearch.ca/un-condemns-psychological-torture-inflicted-julian-assange-coordinated-international-attack-uk-usa-sweden-ecuador/5679209

Julian Assange and the Unrelenting State
Craig Murray | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-01
We are seriously worried about the condition of Julian Assange. He was too unwell to appear in court yesterday, and his Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelson, found him in a state where he was unable to conduct a conversation …
globalresearch.ca/julian-assange-and-the-unrelenting-state/5679231

Findings of Torture: The UN Rapporteur and Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-06-01
Another crude and sad chapter, yet more evidence of a system's vengeance against its challengers. Julian Assange, like they dying Roman emperor Vespasian, may be transforming into a god of sorts, but the suffering of his mortal physical is finding its mark. While some in the cynical, narcissistic press corps still find little to commend …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/06/findings-of-torture-the-un-rapporteur-and-julian-assange/

Assange Is Reportedly Gravely Ill, and Hardly Anyone's Talking About It
Caitlin Johnstone | globalresearch.ca | 2019-06-01
Julian Assange's Swedish lawyer Per Samuelson has told the press that "Assange's health situation on Friday was such that it was not possible to conduct a normal conversation with him." | This jarring revelation has been reported by a small …
globalresearch.ca/assange-reportedly-gravely-ill-hardly-anyones-talking-about-it/5679207

Findings of Torture: The UN Rapporteur and Julian Assange
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-06-01
Another crude and sad chapter, yet more evidence of a system's vengeance against its challengers. Julian Assange, like they dying Roman emperor Vespasian, may be transforming into a god of sorts, but the suffering of his mortal physical is finding its mark. While some in the cynical, narcissistic press corps still find little to commend …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/06/findings-of-torture-the-un-rapporteur-and-julian-assange/

Col. Larry Wilkerson on Mueller and Courage to Impeach Trump
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-31
Chuck Schumer to Nancy Pelosi, Democrats are cowardly, incompetent and without courage to begin impeachment proceedings says Col. Larry Wilkerson…
therealnews.com/stories/col-larry-wilkerson-on-mueller-and-courage-to-impeach-trump

Col. Larry Wilkerson on Mueller and Courage to Impeach Trump
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-31
Chuck Schumer to Nancy Pelosi, Democrats are cowardly, incompetent and without courage to begin impeachment proceedings says Col. Larry Wilkerson…
therealnews.com/stories/col-larry-wilkerson-on-mueller-and-courage-to-impeach-trump

National Lawyers Guild Echoes Smear Campaign About Julian Assange
Riva Enteen | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-31
I have been a proud member of the National Lawyers Guild for over 30 years, beginning in law school, and serving as union staff of the SF/Bay Area Chapter for over a decade. The Guild was founded in 1937 as an organization of lawyers to defend FDR's New Deal, and was the first racially integrated …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/national-lawyers-guild-echoes-smear-campaign-about-julian-assange/

U.N. Special Rapporteur Calls for Julian Assange to Be Freed, Citing "Psychological Torture"
MAIL | democracynow.org | 2019-05-31
The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is suffering from the effects of "psychological torture" due to his ongoing detention and threats of possible extradition to the United States. The U.N. expert, Nils Melzer, also warned that Assange would likely face a "politicized show trial" if he were to be extradited to the United States. Melzer writes, "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution, I have never seen a group of democratic states ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonize and abuse a single individual for such a lo…
www.democracynow.org/2019/5/31/seg_1_julian_assange_please_update

Poetry: A battle over truth
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-31
This is a battle over truth and freedom of the press. But the debate has been shifted to focus solely on one man, because it is much easier to vilify a man than freedom and democracy. Freedom will be plucked from our hands if we debate it on the merits of one man. | *** | For freedom, not Assange | Silent steps are taken in the dark | The shadows of history are seen on the walls | Power cringes in the light of truth | Behind closed doors truth is classified | Our fate sealed with government stamps | Truth only becomes truth by inspection | | So the gates are locked | Truth deemed such a fragile flower | That i…
greenleft.org.au/content/poetry-battle-over-truth

WikiLeaks: Assange indictments 'the gravest attack on press freedom'
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-31
In response to the news on May 24 that the United States government is seeking to lay multiple espionage charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the organisation accused US President Donald Trump's administration of launching "an unprecedented attack on the global free press". | The unsealed Espionage Act charges carry combined sentences of 175 years in prison and relate to disclosures of war crimes and human rights abuses by the US government, including the groundbreaking Collateral Murder video, Iraq War Logs, Afghan War Diaries, Cablegate, and the Guantanamo Bay Detainee Manuals, published in 2010 an…
greenleft.org.au/content/wikileaks-assange-indictments-gravest-attack-press-freedom

The UN Torture Report on Assange Is an Indictment of Our Entire Society
Caitlin Johnstone | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-31
On the eighth of April, shortly before London police forcibly carried WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange out of the Ecuadorian embassy, a doctor named Sondra S Crosby wrote a letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting that the office look into Assange's case. Today, following a scorching rebuke of multiple …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/the-un-torture-report-on-assange-is-an-indictment-of-our-entire-society/

Friday's Daily Brief: Fundraising for Mozambique, Assange's rights, Asia-Pacific development, Somalia and Sudan updates
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-31
This Friday, we cover: a donor conference to support life-saving and recovery aid for Mozambique following two recent devastating cyclones; the need to respect Wikileaks' Assange's rights; how Asia-Pacific is working towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ; news from Somalia and Sudan; and a new stamp honouring Kofi Annan.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039621

Sri Lankan Refugee Family That Hid Snowden in Hong Kong Now Trapped in Limbo
Dave Lindorff | counterpunch.org | 2019-05-31
Hong Kong. The bipartisan vengeance of the US government and it's pervasive intelligence apparatus, on display currently in its rabid hounding of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, appears to know no bounds. But as ugly as the full-court effort to bag Assange, already trapped by US the combined efforts of complicity government in Britain and Sweden…
counterpunch.org/2019/05/31/sri-lankan-refugee-family-that-hid-snowden-in-hong-kong-now-trapped-in-limbo/

Assange Hospitalized, "dagger in journalist hearts" — George Galloway
RT | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-31
The attorney of WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange's has revealed that he was too ill to appear in a video chat for his extradition hearing. Assange has spent the past seven weeks at Belmarsh prison, where his health has continued to deteriorate. The WikiLeaks founder faces extradition to the US over "espionage" charges dating …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/assange-hospitalized-dagger-in-journalist-hearts-george-galloway/

UN Special Rapporteur On Torture: 'The Collective Persecution Of Julian Assange Must End Here And Now'
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-31
In a blistering statement against democratic countries collaborating to prosecute and enable the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture condemned the "collective persecution" against him. "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence, and political persecution, I have never seen a…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/31/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-the-collective-persecution-of-julian-assange-must-end-here-and-now/

Opposing Julian Assange's Extradition Is Essential–Even if You Dislike Him
Jon Wiener | thenation.com | 2019-05-31
Opposing Julian Assange's Extradition Is Essential–Even if You Dislike Him…
thenation.com/article/julian-assange-extradition-daniel-ellsberg/

UN Special Rapporteur On Torture: 'The Collective Persecution Of Julian Assange Must End Here And Now'
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-31
In a blistering statement against democratic countries collaborating to prosecute and enable the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture condemned the "collective persecution" against him. "In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence, and political persecution, I have never seen a…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/31/un-special-rapporteur-on-torture-the-collective-persecution-of-julian-assange-must-end-here-and-now/

UN Torture Report: 'Demonized' Assange Has Faced 'Psychological Torture'
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-31
The UN special rapporteur on torture has blasted four nations for imposing psychological torture on Julian Assange. 'A Relentless and Unrestrained Campaign of Public Mobbing, Intimidation and Defamation' Warns of 'Criminalization of Journalism' By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/31/un-torture-report-demonized-assange-has-faced-psychological-torture/

UN expert criticizes States for 'ganging up' on Wikileaks' Assange; warns against extradition, fearing 'serious' rights violations
United Nations | un.org | 2019-05-31
After visiting Julian Assange in a London prison, an independent UN human rights expert expressed urgent concern on Friday, for the Wikileaks co-founder's well-being, accusing "a group of democratic States" of "ganging up" on the prisoner to "isolate, demonize and abuse" him and warned against extraditing the controversial publisher to the United States.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/05/1039581