Assange holed up in London

[MillCreek]

So explain this to me: what does Ecuador possibly stand to gain by giving Assange asylum? 

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

sucking up to argentina

[Blakenzy]

So explain this to me: what does Ecuador possibly stand to gain by giving Assange asylum?

I would very much like to know that too.

[zxcvbob]

Something interesting I just heard on the radio is that Great Britain is prepared to invade the embassy to arrest Assange.

[Boomhauer]

Something interesting I just heard on the radio is that Great Britain is prepared to invade the embassy to arrest Assange.

Oh this ought go be good...

[SADShooter]

Shades of "The Final Option".

[zxcvbob]

I'm not sure if they meant the British military or the London police, but either way could get very interesting if the embassy is fortified and reasonably well armed.

[RevDisk]

Something interesting I just heard on the radio is that Great Britain is prepared to invade the embassy to arrest Assange.

If it is the embassy, that is an act of war.

Assange is loving every moment.

[lupinus]

Something interesting I just heard on the radio is that Great Britain is prepared to invade the embassy to arrest Assange.

[MillCreek]

I recall that a few years back, the UK passed a law allowing it to revoke the diplomatic status of an embassy or consular post if it was being used for purposes contrary to diplomatic functions.  This was done in response after concerns that some countries (I am looking at you, Iran and North Korea!) were using their embassies for criminal activities.  There have been accusations that NK uses embassies as a front for drug smuggling and currency counterfeiting in order to secure foreign exchange for NK. 

[roo_ster]

IIRC. teh Brits raided the Iranian embassy a few years back.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

IIRC. teh Brits raided the Iranian embassy a few years back.

pretty well iirc

[De Selby]

So explain this to me: what does Ecuador possibly stand to gain by giving Assange asylum? 

Leverage in their disputes with the United States

[MillCreek]

Leverage in their disputes with the United States

Do the Ecuadorians have a bone to pick with the US or vice versa?  For the life of me, I cannot recall anything very exciting with Ecuador prior to WikiLeaks, other than the Chevron dispute.

Fun fact about Ecuador: According to Tony Bourdain, a whole lot of restaurants in NYC would shut down but for Ecuadorian line cooks.  Apparently, they have carved out a real niche in the restaurant industry there.

[De Selby]

Do the Ecuadorians have a bone to pick with the US or vice versa?  For the life of me, I cannot recall anything very exciting with Ecuador prior to WikiLeaks, other than the Chevron dispute.

Massive - since they've had an independent leader, who doesn't care about drug spraying and supports democracy in south America.  He booted a us military base, offered to let it stay if he could open a base in Miami...long list of troubles.

[zxcvbob]

Do the Ecuadorians have a bone to pick with the US or vice versa?  For the life of me, I cannot recall anything very exciting with Ecuador prior to WikiLeaks, other than the Chevron dispute.

ASSange could face the death penalty if extradited to the US, and if they turn him over to Sweden (or is in Switzerland?) they would then turn him over to us.  I'm pretty sure that's why Ecuador granted him asylum.  If he was accused of murder they probably wouldn't protect him, but who knows.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

assange would never get the needle.  if we had the hair john walker woulda got it

[Boomhauer]

assange would never get the needle.  if we had the hair john walker woulda got it

This. We stopped executing spies and traitors long ago.

So we're beefing with Ecuador. Big whoop.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

This. We stopped executing spies and traitors long ago.

So we're beefing with Ecuador. Big whoop.

i'd cheerfully hotshot walker myself. let his kin watch then ask who's next.  hes special.   though aldrich ames is on the list too

[MillCreek]

I would do Ames first.  It is documented that people died as a result of his actions.  The Soviets executed several people working for the Americans after Ames burned them.  If I recall correctly, no one directly died as a result of Walker.

[HankB]

The US relationship with Ecuador has been touchy for quite some time . . . IIRC, a couple of decades ago we gave Ecuador some old gunboats, which they promptly used to seize some American fishing vessels.

We generally get along when we have to, but we're not exactly the best of friends.

[slingshot]

So explain this to me: what does Ecuador possibly stand to gain by giving Assange asylum? 

I heard on Fox News that the new president of Ecuador praised George Bush for his policies which allowed him to be elected, the leftish socialist that he is.  Quite simply, the new Ecuador president hates the USA.  Just wants to be thorn in our side just like Argentina.

[De Selby]

assange would never get the needle.  if we had the hair john walker woulda got it

What would John walker get it for again?

And what about Assange?  What crime did he commit?

[Boomhauer]

What would John walker get it for again?

John Walker was a traitor and a Soviet spy. We used to execute such filth.

[Blakenzy]

And what about Assange?  What crime did he commit?

He dissed Hillary.