Finally an article that brings up Julian Assange's political beliefs

[Seth King]

Assume no more that Assange is a free market libertarian. He admits it in this article. It doesn't sound like he's a full blown anarchist yet. But I'm hopeful he will be someday soon. Perhaps we can have something to do about that on Daily Anarchist? 

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2010/11/29/an-interview-with-wikileaks-julian-assange/

[Seth King]

What?? Two seconds after I post it the article got taken down? Hopefully it comes back online soon.

[helio]

Loads for me.

[helio]

This gem on page 5 jumped out at me.

"So as far as markets are concerned I’m a libertarian, but I have enough expertise in politics and history to understand that a free market ends up as monopoly unless you force them to be free."

Force them to be free?  Huh?

This is a popular myth.  It always assumes that being a larger company with more money means more competitive advantage.  In reality, large hiearchies such as conglomerates and mega corps have such rigid organizational structures that adapting to rapidly changing market demands make them slow, cumbersome, and wasteful.  I have worked for some sizeable and well capitalized companies and the larger they are, the more choked their decision making apparatus.  I think when it comes to business, smaller is better.  The point you have to start hiring middle managers is the point you should cull.

[JustSayNoToStatism]

The quote that helio highlighted sounds like someone who's coming to libertarianism through some sort of political leftism (much the way I did). Paying lip service to freedom, but still not really getting the economics. He'll get to anarchism if he keeps thinking about it though.

In the meantime, what he's doing is helpful to our cause.

PS: maybe he's lying and really is an anarchist, but doesn't want the new reporters to say: "The State Dep't is up in arms over the anarchist ogranization, Wikileaks." ...because people hate anarchists and don't understand the word.

[Seth King]

That's how I feel about "The Judge" sometimes.

[JustSayNoToStatism]

Seth, are you referring to the "PS" section of my previous post? Napolitano? If I'm wrong I'm going to look really dumb here, haha.

[Seth King]

Yes, Napolitano.

[helio]

I am convinced the Judge is a closet narchocap.  I mean he is a Mises Istitute fellow and frequently invites Lew Rockwell to his show.  How could he not be by now?  I don't hold it against him though, as I think libertarians and paleo-convervatives are the most fertile ground to plant the sovereigndividualist seed within. 

Mr. Assange is doing exactly what would happen frequently in a society without a state.  He is truly putting his body between the gears of the machine and I honor him and his organization.

[MetallicaFan]

You guys maybe interested to know that the actual 'crimes' he has committed - ie the sexual abuse he has been accused of isnt sexual abuse at all! The media has labeled him a rapist when the charges against him have nothing to do with it! All he did was, since he was in Sweden, he had a good night out with two fine ladies and forgot to use a condom. One of them was really cut so hired a lawyer who then unearthed some dusty law that could see him fined nearly 1000 or imprisoned - for not using a condom!!! It unbelievable - even Assange's lawyer said the scene was like something out of a Swedish conspiracy movie!

[helio]

Man, arrested for not using a raincoat....

[Intuition]

Yea it definitely wasn't anything to do with actual rape or assault, so far as I can tell, because apparently the lady went out the next morning, bought breakfast, brought it back, cooked it and ate breakfast with Mr. Assange. That doesn't sound like the victim of a crime to me.

[JustSayNoToStatism]

Yeah, but the politically correct definition of rape includes cases when someone changes their mind afterwards. So yes, rape.