I noticed that towards the end of his presidency, he would occasionally sound confused or disoriented, but when he was speaking formally his delivery was crisp and effective. Actor’s training kicking in?

I mean no criticism or disrespect, it’s to be expected at his age, perfectly normal even without a specific medical condition being the cause. I’ve been catching myself exhibiting some of the same symptoms, especially when fatigued or distracted.

Still, Iran-Contra was a shameful episode in American History, one which I still believe qualifies perfectly under the legal definition of treason.

The press will be kept in the dark, and the politicized press outlets will all have wildly different speculations and interpretations of what is going on. Add to this fake news and downright misdirection and propaganda, and it will be very difficult to figure out just what is happening. Even the honest, “unpolitical” news outlets can no longer be trusted. They are more interested in advertising, not information, and will be full of feelgood stories that attract viewers; stories about the international equivalent of kittens being rescued from trees and inspiring anecdotes about crips and retards and brave maimed vets showing admirable spunk and courage. The internet press services will all start sounding like small town local TV news. Clickbait, lip synching and laugh tracks.

I’ve got a short wave radio, but more and more all I can find on the ether is “human interest”, religious broadcasting and infotainment. Even the BBC is getting very information thin. In the old days, you knew you couldn’t believe Radio Moscow, but at least what they weren’t talking about gave you a clue as to what was really going on.

Even if, strictly speaking, it’s treason. Remember Iran-Contra?

…there is much he hasn’t leaked.

Could be there is kompromat on him.

Could be he’s afraid of polonium.

But if that’s the case, what’s Assange got to gain? I don’t think he gives a fig what happens to Manning. Of course, I’d love to see Assange squirming on the witness stand. I would like to see why all of the stuff Wiki has leaked, including the Snowden material, has never contained even one item embarrassing to the Russians or the Republicans.

I’m sorry, I just don’t fall for all this noble whistle blower defender of freedom and privacy crap. These guys have an agenda, and freedom and privacy have nothing to do with it. I think they work for the Russians.

Via Twitter, from WikiLeaks:

“If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case”

Assange must be getting tired of his sequestered life. Maybe he is scared. Some kind of deal is going on here, IMO.