Merry Christmas Assange

What does the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, get for Christmas? A jail sentence.

OK, it's not really a sentence yet. It's more like being in a waiting room---with bars. But thanks to his sorted history, not his Web site, he's spending quality time with hardened criminals. Maybe if he's lucky he'll get a homemade shiv for Christmas too. 

People are complaining because he's in jail, but think about it. Not just a fleeting thought, but a good long bathroom time thought. Would you want a suspected rapist on the streets of say Chicago or New York? Probably not. 

Sure, he's a viewed as a hero for those of us who are journalists. He's redefining openness in government and has been hailed by Time magazine to have been the best thing to happen to journalism since the Freedom of Information Act. I'm paraphrasing of course, but he was. It says on his Web site. And you can believe everything that's posted on the internet with a "Wiki" title in the address bar.  

That's who I want representing my profession in a public spotlight. A suspected rapist. Take notes Mr. Bill O'Reily. Harassing is for beginners. Hey, NBC 5 Chicago, it makes the Amy Jacobson scandal seem a little ridiculous now doesn't it. All she was doing was wearing a bikini and making a bad lifestyle choice by visiting a man who's wife was missing. Was she trying to seduce him? Maybe, but she never was suspected of raping him. Not that she was a good role model either with poor ethical choices, but at least they weren't criminal charges.

On Dec. 14 Assange was granted bail. On Dec. 14 he was denied bail pending an appeal by the Swedes. Should he be in jail? Well yea, for his charges. That not withstanding and provided he's found not guilty should he be in jail for his Web site? I don't think so. It keeps government honest knowing he and other journalists are still out there. 

Now of course espionage and other factors are still in the equation, but they'll never stick really. It's like the American government is getting worse at hiding things. And with all the practice they've had over the years, you'd think they'd be better at it. 

Sorry Assange, but you don't really deserve to be out of jail yet. What you're doing is a step forward for journalism, but three steps backwards for human nature.