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By F. Brinley Bruton, msnbc.com
LONDON - Polemical filmmaker Michael Moore seems in no doubt that dark forces are behind the rape and sexual molestation accusations leveled against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in Sweden.
“Governments and corporations go after individuals … they go after people with this kind of lie and smear,” Moore told MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann. “This is all a bunch of hooey as far as I’m concerned.”
But while many WikiLeaks supporters contend that powerful international interests are misusing Sweden’s sterling feminist credentials to stifle the man at the helm of the organization, the debate in the country has taken a dramatically different direction.
Many in Sweden reject claims that Assange, who appeared in a London court Tuesday, is the victim of a U.S.-led conspiracy. Instead, the country has been gripped by a very public and often explicit discussion about intimate behavior and relationships. The case has even made some question whether feminism has been taken too far in this supposed bastion of gender equality.
Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning after two women accused him of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. Stockholm is seeking his extradition from Britain although he has not been charged with any crime.
Feminism is a mainstream concept in Sweden and the country has among the toughest sex crime laws in the world. In fact, lawyers have been known to joke that a man must get written permission before having sex.
“WikiLeaks has vocal supporters (in Sweden), who by the way I am one,” says prominent feminist and journalist Johanna Koljonen, whose blog posts helped kick-off a fervent discussion when she revealed in intimate detail an experience that echoed the allegations against Assange.
But her support for the organization has nothing to do with whether Assange is guilty or not under Swedish law, she added. However, his case has reminded her of an encounter that left her uncomfortable.
“I woke up in a sexual situation with a partner with whom I has just a few hours earlier had consensual sex on the condition that we use a condom,” she wrote.
“It is often very clear what a rape is and what has happened, but even then we know it’s difficult for the parties to get a fair hearing in court,” Koljonen added. “Then there are the situations in which acts have been performed which may or may not be illegal, depending on the parties’ negotiation of consent. This principle makes legal situations complicated, but it is of vital importance: we should not and cannot legislate acceptable sexual practice.”
Koljonen’s blog post fed a growing discussion and soon Prata om det (#prataomdet on Twitter), or “Talk about It”, was born. The website has received more than 226,000 page views with the average user staying for seven minutes.
'Honest conversation'
The site encourages users to discuss negative sexual experiences and reveal times when “boundaries were violated.”
“Initiating an honest conversation about sex and consent is scary,” the site says. “Reactions can be cold or even hostile towards those who try. Because of this, many people hold their tongue and put a lid on their thoughts – but that doesn’t make the thoughts go away.”
In a post entitled “I’m a nice guy,” one male user posted that despite his best efforts he has not always behaved in a way he is proud of.
“I have the notion that I have a very enlightened and equal view on sex,” he wrote. “Sadly, my feelings and practical application isn’t as evolved and that hurts both myself and others close to me.”
In Sweden, the word "tjatsex" - defined by Koljonen as "nagging sex ... sex that you talked someone into having even when they didn’t feel like it" - has even entered the mainsteam.
Journalist Sonja Schwarzenberger, who has been involved with the website since the beginning, says it is a forum for women and men to safely discuss negative sexual experiences.
“Our idea was, how not to make it black and white is to say, 'here it is, this is my experience.'”
Fair trials difficult?
For weeks, the debate has dominated the airwaves and newspapers in Sweden.
But while many view the ability to discuss the ambiguous intimate issues as a positive thing, the gray area often referred to and the country’s relatively broad definition of rape alarms others.
Pelle Billing, a M.D. who lectures and writes on gender and men's issues, worries that Sweden’s rape and domestic violence laws make it difficult for men to get a fair trial.
He cites a quote by the lawyer for Assange’s accusers, who went to the police for advice before deciding to file charges.
“Women who are assaulted don't always define it as that,” said lawyer Claes Borgstrom, who is the Swedish Social Democratic Party’s spokesman on gender equality. “It's a big problem in our society and it can be difficult to assess what has happened if you are not a lawyer."
“So how is man supposed to know what the boundaries are if the women don’t know?” Billing asks. According to him, feminism in Sweden has stopped being about equal rights and has begun to infringe on men’s rights.
So Billing spends little time worrying whether the case against Assange is the result of U.S. pressure on Sweden and instead focuses on whether Swedish courts uphold the presumption of innocence for men accused of rape and domestic violence.
Billing was excoriated in public for discussing his beliefs and the Assange case on a leading current affairs program.
'Without shame'
Even some Swedes who call themselves feminists concede that sexual violence and rape laws are sometimes applied unfairly.
“It is important in this Julian Assange case to understand the situation,” says Per Samuelson, a defense lawyer who focuses on defending men accused of rape. “Everyone (around the world) is shouting that Julian Assange is innocent (but) people in Sweden think otherwise because they tend to believe the women in over 90 percent of the cases.”
Comments like these no doubt trouble Assange and his defense team. But they are in stark contrast to the views espoused by vocal WikiLeaks supporters such as prominent Canadian feminist Naomi Klein.
“Rape is being used in the Assange prosecution in the same way that women's freedom was used to invade Afghanistan. Wake up!" she said of the case against him.
But for many in Sweden, the Assange case has crystallized important issues around personal boundaries, sexuality and the law.
As journalist Koljonen says: “How can judges and juries and the media be expected to speak honestly and think coolly about things we can’t even say to ourselves without shame?”
Leave a Comment:
Like John Wayne said, "Lord help us if we ever give um the vote"
I like the comment on boundaries made by someone in the article. The big boundary that was crossed was feminism. Women crossed that boundary (urged on by businesses) and abandoned everything that was. Kids are stupid and rude. Emotionalism has too much impact on our laws and our policies. Feminism helped keep the labor market flat. That boundary crossing means two people have to suport a household in poorer form due to feminism. Women want to be protected. They just have gone to the most wealthy daddy - the government. The point here is that women have been sold a bunch of hooey instead of the right protection and regard of the pre-boundary days controlled for criminal activity. Who do you think worked tirelessly so that you can enjoy checkpoints? Try MADD. Another example for you religious: Eve. Talk about things going bad from listening to a woman of questionable emotional stability. Women took up the feminist thing and the family, followed by society, crumbled. Personally, I consider myself a feminist, but I know that if you attempt equality with women they will always dominate because men defer to women. I don't care if you want to work, fine. I don't care if you want to play at the golf club. You wanted change, you got it. Baby. I don't want to join the needlepoint coffee klatches. Mothers are the civilizers. Destroy them, and the rest is easy.
ewent-women work about 70% the hours men do. I'm a public sector employee. Women have a free pass to come and go as they please if they have children. Men do not. The women in my office go so far as to place children's piano recitals and soccer matches on their outlook calendars as though they were office meetings.
That having been said, attractive women have to deal with near constant sexual harassment from creepy guys. It sucks, and I believe this environment causes some of the toxic and skewed perspectives from this board.
I appreciate women. Women are 100% equal to men. Hell, as far as I'm concerned they're superior. I love having sex with women also. Most feminine women like the male to be very assertive about sex.
How many of you ladies would like to hear "May I...?" in a meek voice before your man does the deed?
So, is ALL unprotected sex in Sweden illegal? Between married couples? longtime or even live-n boyfriend/girlfriend? And how do they enforce it?
ewent - This is obviously a passionate issue for you. However, it seems you have extrapolated from a sampling of men a dogmatic view of the entire "species." Have you ever paused to look for the positive?
In my own marriage, and in the marriages of many of my friends, most everything works exactly opposite of the way you have expressed in your many comments on this article. We are a single income family, my wife's job is not solely to produce children, I never flop in front of the TV unless my wife initiates it, etc, etc, etc. In most cases I put my wife's interests and well-being above my own. Yet, at the same time we do believe "a woman's place is in the home" which, for you and many others, has become some sort of evil second class ideology when, in fact, it promotes and elevates my wife in every imagineable way. My wife is very happy with her life--her words, not my opinion. How many people really find happiness in money, power, and control? Everyone thinks that's where it is, but those who obtain those things are never satisfied and always wanting more.
There is an entire system outside your worldview that is working as smoothly as this cruel world will allow. I encourage you to take a second look around. Not all the roses are painted black.
So is ALL unprotected sex illegal in Sweden? between married couples? what about a couple that just live together? And how do they enforce it?
As a female, I really feel the need to ask some of these femenazis to stop overdefending our gender.
I hope they realize that well over 70% of rape charges end up being fake.
and why? because we have these women who make us feel like these fragile little wimps who break whenever someone touches us.
I'm all for womens rights and what not.
But seriously there's a line. And it's been crossed.
To the writer who said name one man who has been jailed because of the laws favoring women-I won't name names but how about the men in Dallas County, Texas who were cleared of rape by DNA testing but who still spent years in prison for a crime they didn't commit? Over 200 men have been cleared by DNA who were caught in the "convict at all costs" mentality of those who wanted to protect women at all costs. Check it out. As for women making 78 cents for every man, an article in the New York Observer pointed out that in part-time work, women make $1.17 for every dollar a man makes. When all the hours that a man spends on the job compared to the hours a woman does, women make $1.05 for every dollar a man makes. Check out the article in the New York Observer.
I thought this article was thoughtful and an excellent appeal for reason which is sorely needed on this, and many other questions. I am so disappointed that only a few here were able to exercise reason in any consistent manner. Some of those who started out reasonable were soon sucked into the confrontational snares of those to whom reason is subordinate to their passions. What a shame. I sometimes think that it will be the end of us.
Word.... I saw this after my rant below against feminism, and now almost feel ashamed that I have succumbed to this same mentality. Usually, I try to maintain a reasoned approach to such divisive issues, but in this case, this issue really hit close to home and I allowed my emotions to run away with it.
But I cannot agree with you enough - The weak-willed people of this country ARE being manipulated and incited by media and irresponsible pundits.
We all need to develop a renewed respect for one-another, simply because that is how each of us would want to be treated. If we do not learn how to engage intelligently in discourse and respectfully disagree with each other, then or our society, perhaps even our species, is indeed doomed.
As far as I can see, it has nothing to do with feminism but the rights of an individual. The laws may be a bit more strict in Sweden when it comes to the definition of rape but that has nothing to do with feminism or favortism to women. I'm sure the laws apply to homosexual relations the same way. If not, then Sweden is unfair to males.
Are most of you adults on this thread or kids off for a snow day? I am sickened by all the male bashing. I was a single father of 5 due to the "ex" running off with another man. My older older two children were her's from a previous marriage. The father left the state and disappeared when she went after him for child support. I raised my step-children side by side my own children. No child support, no weekends off. I put myself through school (no loans or grants) as I worked full time. Not once did I ever tell them how I felt about what their mother did. Not once did I ever utter a negative word about women in general. I hope some of you are not really parents because your kids are going to grow up as screwed up as you are.
"Assange case: Has feminism gone too far?"
No trial yet, but msnbc has already chosen a side. The media makes me want to puke.
There's a difference between feminism and equality. I'm for equality and fairness. I'm not for any movement that can create a double standard. However, I'm not naive or blind. I know there is unfairness in domestic violence cases - where the victim is often treated more harshly than the criminal. I also know that many child custody cases - depending on your state - unfairly side with the mother over the father; for no other reason other than she is a woman.
Furthermore; most custody suits do not require the mother to show proof of the proper use of the child support - that it is being used for the child and NOT for bling for the mother. Often times, lower-middle income fathers get so much taken from their checks that they can't possibly provide themselves with a decent place to live. There's not enough money left over. Usually (in my state), if the father has custody; the mother's portion of child support is less than it would be if the father was the one charged with paying child support.
Oh, yes, there are many deadbeat parents (not just fathers, mothers too); however, there are also many responsible, loving parents that get the raw end of the deal. I've seen too many women that get enough in child support that the single mom and kids - along with the new boyfriend - live pretty well; while the dad struggles to keep his car running so he can get to work.
And there is a fair share of both parents that will willingly, wantonly use their kids as weapons against one another. Neither parents deserves the kids in that case.
I also think that spousal support is a load of crap. If the ex is a capable worker; then their butt should get a job to help pay for their own kids too, instead of relying on the ex hubby to 'provide' for a lifestyle of which the wifey was accustomed. That's total bs. Child support, yes; spousal support - hell no. No one is entitled to anything without earning it first.
But, back to feminism - feminism does not equal equality. They are two separate things; that have a smaller connection, but are not one in the same. Equality and fairness; not special treatment. Can't have it both ways.
Bottom line; in general - people suck.
Boy oh boy! Litigation and overburdened courts must be a real centerpiece in Sweden. How in the world could any woman or man, (especially) ever defend against a vague allegation without video and yes a signed contract and a breakdown by the accuser and revelations by 20 witnesses? Who in the heck would risk a trip to that bastion of legal maneuvering and baseless allegation.
Hell I could have been hauled to court, hmmm let's see here....ah about 102 times. I suggest folks not watch or practice any of the scenes in The delightful Romance Comedy, "The Wedding Crashers"....in Walmart for the low price of just $5.00 usd!
Well I'm a man and I fully admit Femiinism gets a lot of support from me in certain ways. The statistics are undeniable, the vast majority of rapes are of men on women. The vast majority of domestic abuse is male on famale, and the vast majority of pedophiles are males on children. The The number of female on male or female on child abuse is vanishingly small by comparison. You simply cannot deny what is demonstrated. But you also cannot deny that the difference is because of genetic inequality between the sexes, regardless of legal equality. But there's no point in arguing about that. That's simply the way we are and to argue any different is like complaining about the air. There's no good complaining about it if there is nothing else to breathe. It is the role of society to socialize the good and bad traits of either sex in a way that is constructive to society and to each other. What justification would you like? One from Scripture and the Theists or one from Evolution and natural science, I can give it to you either way.
Men have a tendency to, when problems arise, resort to violence and anger. That's the way nature made us -- to protect the females and the young of the group from out-group threats-- be they animals or males from another tribe. Women approach things different. But it is the rules of the in-group that this tendency to violence is sublimated and rendered in a sense subservient to women for the sake of the group, and NOTHING is going to do away with that. It is therefore the rules of society that demand this. It is the imperative of civilizaton that we act civilized to each other. This is not a power game, however as some femminists desire, but a shared responsibility. If you want kids-- well honey-- you have to make them-- and if you want kids-- well sweetie, you have to go out and hunt the deer or the fat paycheck to support them. Theres no other way- yet.
Let me now say something that might be a bit shocking. I believe in the death penalty for all crimes of murder, rape, violent assault, or child molestation without exception. I also believe in the death penalty for all crimes of robbery which is executed with battery, or with a weapon. So I'm a pretty grim guy.
As to the rest, unfortunately women must at times put up with my quaint ways. I insist on holding the door for them, helping them to their chair, taking my hat off (when I'm wearing one), calling them Ma'm or Miss, or Mrs. or Ms, whatever they prefer, picking up the check, opening the car door for them from the outside and closing it after them, and all those little bits of social etiquette and polite gracesl graces that were de'riguer in the Victorian ages. These seeming meaningless flourishes are no fripperies at all but a code of conduct to ensure civility in society and for the protection of women. They also demarcated quite clearly who was a gentlemen, and who was-- "a cad." Along with all those courtesies towards women goes the utter disregard of any man who would harm, beat, rape, or abandon a woman. Such man is not a man and worthy of no consideration. I've had several friends who had affairs and they are no longer friends. I can't trust them. If they broke their word to God, and the person they swore undying love to, they will break their word to me.
And-- Oh yes-- when in graduate school I finally got to act out the whole laying of my jacket into the puddle in mid winter so that the beautiful young woman (a complete stranger) could cross it dry-shod. Don't worry, it was a very wet cold miserable day, the jacket was old and worn-- and the woman was VERY beautiful.
By the way, I'm the cook in my house and I clean up after myself, and do a fair amount of housework besides. In addition to all the remodeling stuff, handywork stuff etc. I let my wife handle the household accounts and the money. She's much better and more careful at it than I. I've always been this way and it makes life much more worth-while. Those women who bristled that I was demeaning them and putting them down never got a second date. Too bad! As for the joys of seduction and sex, I've been happily married now for many years. My wife works full time, as do I. Never even thought of straying, oh yes, I look and imagine-- but-- that's as far as it goes.
You see-- the truth is that I love women. I love the way they talk, the way they walk, think, laugh, feel act, and-- yes-- act up. They are positively intoxicating. Nothing is so alluring as their smile or so heart-breaking as their tears.
When I was younger I was something of a player, and while I do not have a Leporello to record my "assignatins" as he did those of the amorous Don, there were quite a few. However in all that time I did not take one liberty that was not freely offered nor caused a woman to shed a tear. Seduction-- you see-- is far more pleasurable than sex, and the best when the object of the seduction themselves wishes to be seduced.
Am I bragging? Of course-- but then-- I have a right to.
Now the problem comes for you femminists out there. What sort of man do you wish? THAT is the problem. You can have them if you wish-- all you have to do do is demand them. Not through law, but through your day to day demeanor. Women get men comensurate with the "bait" they put out.
Which reminds me-- I have to order up my wife a dozen roses "just for nice" today.
Well-- the question is in your court. For myself, the stone statue awaits. I dine with "Ill comandatore" tonight.
Sigurd
PS OH yeah-- the Wikileaks guy? Off with his head, and take your time to do him dead.
It IS about time the men spoke up! I truly believe that radical feminism is leading the way to humanity's demise. The self-glorifying and vitriolic posts of some of the blatant men-haters in the forum only exemplify this truth. Imagine if some of their posts were re-written from a male standpoint and eschewed the same sentiments about women! True or not, such statements would never be tolerated by our supposedly 'enlightened' culture. The rhetoric that ewent spews throughout this thread is exactly the kind of self-centered, self-absorbed, feminist-charged spetum that all MEN should be alarmed about!
Ewent has no interest in equality - only subservience of the male subspecies.
As younger generations raised and influenced by feminist extremism come to maturity, we have come to appreciate the rewards of this selfish mentality. In proving themselves "equal" to their male partners, overzealous feminists have sacrificed family even more, and especially the children. It does not matter who is the "breadwinner", children need a parent IN their lives on a regular basis. When BOTH parents are out of the home, children are left without the genuine concern and nurturing that ONLY A PARENT can provide. As women seek to meet that statistical level of equality, our children grow up without sense of family, faith, self or community - and yet we wonder why our society has sunk so far into moral decay.
There was a time when Feminism was about well-deserved and often unfairly denied female equality. But now it has become a tool to minimize the value and role of the father, the male, and the family in society as a whole. Yet, the social degradation we are witness to in this era is a direct result of this ignorance of the importance a father plays in any family!
I am all for equality between men and women, with the understanding we are different and have different roles to play - especially in regards to raising children - both contributions are equally important. But I will not sit by and allow socially-biased, media-induced political correctness to silence my voice when any woman or feminist uses these arguments to promote a sense of female superiority, father/male irrelevance, or legal entitlement!!
The feminist movement has gone well beyond any semblance of equality and has fully embraced reverse-discrimination. If you wan't more examples of how men's rights have been infringed (paritcularly in the USA), then consider the following:
Men... do not sit back and allow these women to win! Now that the gays and lesbians are finding legal standing to wed and have children in greater numbers, I challenge you all to find and compare statistics of how two female parents handle child custody when they split, compared to how two gay men handle child custody issues. I suspect then we will see much more evidence as to which of the sexes is more emotionally enlightened and has the best interests of the children truly at heart.
When feminism advocates superiority, it needs to be stopped in its tracks. Men cannot allow themselves to be subjugated for infractions made by our ancestors or another grievous atrocity of equality will be committed. Men - Stand your ground against these extremists! Reciprocity is not equality, it is vengeance.
I have a question, Is ALL unprotected sex in Sweden illegal? even between married couples? what about couples that just live together? and how on earth do they enforce it?
While I understand that the debate over gender equality has been happening for decades, I am quite perturbed by most of the posts on this site. Mainly the posts by the women, Ewent especially. I am a married mother of one. I work full time while my husband stays at home with our daughter. Plain and simple: I view men as people. That is how it should be. Yeah, there are some horrible, evil men in the world. But, the same can be said about women.
Ewent
After reading all your responses, it soulds like you really hated your mother for being a 'stepford wife', and hated your father for be a male 'chauvinistic pig'. You've got some serious issues.
Jami 5, you allege that you are a very accomplished woman. I don't have a problem with you having your husband have the last word in your home on many matters. That can even be sexy.
My problem is that you condemn women’s rights. That is scary.
You have a job / career; you can "work laps" around almost all [your] male counter parts; you've won awards and your "children are going to do the same". Even your daughters? All of these things you've had the right to pursue are a direct result of women's rights and if women did not have rights all these alleged accomplishments would evaporate from your life. Moving out at 14 - you would have been married off and you would not have been able to get a job unless it was via horizontal "construction". Your abilities as "back hoe driver, professional landscaper, housekeeper, manager, artist, dancer, and anything else [you] see fit to accomplish" - that would be eviscerated.
Lastly, you have 5 children and are not even married to their father. You are married to a different man whom you had the right to choose to marry and had the right be very selective in doing so with credit checks, etc. Which rights, by the way would not have been available to you if women did not have rights and we all reverted back to the good ol' days you so long for.
In any event, you sound happy with your life, and that is good. Just please do not condemn womens' rights and then tote your accomplishments, the vast majority of which are founded upon the very fact that you had the RIGHT to pursue them as that is pure hypocrisy.
mmay
Thank you. You made the same points I was going to. Let me add, Jami's ex would NOT have been killed by the neighbor men for raping her in the "good ole days". Sex was considered to be a husband's right and a wife's duty, even if he used force.
TamL,
The problem is that men naturally are territorial, but we have been denied an ability to instill our boundaries into our children. Women want to claim they have the ability to give their children boundaries, but that is not possible because women are nuturers. Yes it is possible to have opposite sex tendencies, but biologically we all have a role. Men are cold and have to be TAUGHT by their mothers how to be sensitive and nuturing, while women are nuturing and have to be TAUGHT how to ignore others and uphold boundries. We all need each other but women are reaping what they thought was right, so now things are way out of balance.
Mr. Assange is being cart-wheeled into the Swedish legal system for reasons other than sexual crimes. I agree with Michael Moore, there is something more sinister going on here.
ewent...you seems so angry...bitter
i'm sure everyone can agree that there have been wrongs on both sides. False acussations, lies. It is a battle. But nobody really wins a war.
People are entitled to their opinions about everything. You may think they are wrong and they may think you are. you may often wonder how could someone think like that. but the fact is that they do. whats good for the goose is not always good for the gander.
ewent...
Yes, there are men and woman who do terrible things; behave in terrible ways and hurt people beyond any level of justification or explanation.
For every man and woman out there who is a terrible person, there are thousands of responsible and loving people who stand on the side of right, love and respect. People who exhibit the true meaning of Masculinity and Feminity....Masculine and Feminine qualities are good and need to be affirmed at every level in our society. One is not better than the other and both are uniquely required to have a dynamic and fulfilling relationship (and family and government and society).
The true unfortunate part is the role reversal that has been happening for decades....lead by a few cultural forces and Feminism is one of them: women taking the masculine role. Here are some random FACTS....More women are being being accused of under-age sex crimes... girls having drinking binges are not only common acts at schools and colleges, but a real safety concern ....Over 50% of women under 30 watch pornography regulary (and growing at a staggering rate)....things that used to be associated with "male only" are now firmly a part of the female culture.
Are you happier? Are you better off? Again, more FACTS: Women under 30 (and women in general) are more unfulfilled then ever...and is it a coincidence that more women are working than at any other time in history? We both have full time jobs. One keeps an eye on famiy tasks and one keeps an eye on earnings...you choose who is better and ultimately more fulfilled in each role. (BTW: there was a great article and survery by the liberal LA Times that I'll look to reference about a year ago. Other articles I've read confirm the same storyy line...that women's behaviors are becoming like men....just look around us and its undeniable).
Things have changed and are we more fulfilled? Are men and women becoming stronger and more fulfilled either separtely or together due to the changes society has tried to orchestrate through feminism? Womens protection is one thing....Feminism is quite another. It says that masculinity is a threat...and that the male needs to be subdued and controlled in order for the female to thrive. That women need to take the leading role and ultimately act like men. And, please, stop with the "women don't need men" arguement since you can earn money and use insemination. Unless your a Lesbian, men and women are still one of the few meaningful acts that can provide deep fulfillment in life...alongside children and God.
The proof is like many women unfortunately know...when they reach a place in their mind and daily lives where they've built up their defenses, their thinking, their lifestyle, their values, their language, their career and take the dominant masculine role as their own...that they are very lonely and bitter people. Missing what they can't have...hating what they need....longing for a safe relationship they can't control....have you yet to learn that an imasculated man cannot fulfill a womens desires....their boring as hell and completely unhappy themselves.
I'm 100% for Women needing protection against aggressive men; Men who rape (as the word is defined) should be castrated in my opinion. But the level of fear and hate communcated is not only sad, but offensive....Here's hoping you meet a strong, kind and respectful masculine man some time soon.....
I believe there was a time when rape was a capital offense. If the crime is proven beyond all doubt, perhaps it should be that way again.
I'm not sure how the law reads in Sweden about that, but it did seem like a vindictive effort on their part to change consensual sex into rape.
Also, Poe's law.
Notice that Mr. Assange has not been formally charged with any crime by the Swedish authorities. It is in fact the lawyers of the accusing "women" - "women", what a joke THAT is.
This is because no "crime" has been committed; since both women had already had sex with him, there was more then a reasonable expectation on his part that they would both wish to continue having sex with him. Notice also that these women did not pursue these accusations against him until they both found out about each other. In other words, their accusations reek of personal vendetta. And I for one would also like to know how much the US government is paying these "women" to pursue thier course of action.
If Mr. Assange is indeed extridicted to Sweden, watch him get passed on to the US federal government as soon as he steps on Swedish soil, and then, he's f*cked.
One can only hope that the British exercise their legendary common sense, and see this filthy debacle for what it really is, a brazen attempt to remove Mr. Assange from the worl stage for the purposes of vengeance and censure for his insistence on publishing secret documents, coupled with petty retribution by two women who are angry that he was screwing both of them at the same time.