As is to be expected, typically libertarian-angled, user-generated news websites have caught onto this fervour of excitement. And one of the more interesting links was to Assange's supposed, old blog. It is fascinating reading and gives us an insight into the development of a figure willing to take on the most powerful institutions in the world.
Here is a link to Assange's IQ.org.
His personal take on rights is particularly interesting, and is indicative of his view that technology, as opposed to the rule of law, is the defence he primarily relies on:
Sun 18 Jun 2006 : What are rights anyway?
"Rights are freedoms of action that are known to be enforceable. Consequently there are no rights without beliefs about the future effects of behaviour. Unenforceable general rights exist only insofar as they are argumentation that may one day yield enforcement.
Hence the Divine Right of Kings, the right of way, mining rights, conjugal rights, property rights, and copyright.
The decision as to what should be enforced and what may be ignored is political. This does not mean that rights are unimportant, but rather, that politics (the societal control of freedom) is so important as to subsume rights.
Politics emerges as the expression of the battle between our collective desires and strengths. Due to the common nature of mankind, there is great commonality in some of our strongest desires. When these desires do not compete they drive politics forward to ensure their fulfillment. This is what we usually mean by the capitalised Right, a powerword, a threat of collective enforcement." See relevant links:
Forbes.com: Interview with Julian Assange
Huffington Post: The Secret Diary of Julian Assange
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