I've come full circle on Assange as well. After being shocked and disappointed when he first came out with the propagandistic bias and spy-vs.-spy schtick, I re

I've come full circle on Assange as well. After being shocked and disappointed when he first came out with the propagandistic bias and spy-vs.-spy schtick, I realized that nevertheless, the guy is devoting his life and considerable intelligence to the cause of transparency and whistle-blowing. In an age where even so-called liberal governments continue to inflate the national "security" state and propagate fear and secrecy, we need this badly. Assange et. al. have moved the needle perceptibly in the direction of a freer society; that is no small achievement, and in return for it I've decided to cut him a ream of slack. Besides which, even if he is a media hog, he's a media hog with a brain who speaks superb English and has no interest in dumbing or toning anything down. Who else can you say that of? Listening to him on flaccid NPR the other day was a blast of fresh air.