Assange and Wikileaks face new legal problem

A Florida man is suing Julian Assange and Wikileaks for US$150 million for "emotional destress". This lawsuit has little chance of success but is likely the first of many.

Show us the money trail

Postfinance spokesman Alex Josty on the early December forced closure of Julian Assange's Swiss bank account:

That's his money, he will get his money back. We just close the account.

According to the AP report, Assange's lawyers claimed that in the short time the account was active €31,000 (AU$41,950) had accumulated.

It is unclear, however, who that money actually belongs to and what it can be used for. Where did the money come from? Was the money donated to Assange or to Wikileaks? Is Wikileaks a functioning non-profit enterprise, a charitable organisation or a company? What is the organisation's tax status? Is Assange paid a wage, a salary, fees or can he dip into accumulated funds at his discretion? What is Assange's status with the Australian Tax Office?

For the sake of transparency Wikileaks must reveal its books and give a proper accounting of this money flow. Don't hold your breath.

Update: Assange is awarded free membership in the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance after his credit card was supposedly canceled. So Assange can travel all around the planet, afford accommodation, secure the best lawyers and feed himself but is unable to pay union dues. Right.

Update II: Professional musician and academic Mark Levine, who uses his MacBook Pro "10 or more hours a day", demands an Apple boycott after iTunes withdraws a Wikileaks app. Seriously, get a life, geek.

Clinging to Julian Assange's coat-tails

Hoping to increase book sales and raise his profile, Antony Loewenstein organises a rally to help save Julian Assange from possible sex charges:

Spokesperson Antony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author of My Israel Question and The Blogging Revolution, says that the Australian government has failed in its responsibilities towards Australian citizen Julian Assange.

“The Gillard government should be praising the bravery of an individual who dares reveal the realities of international diplomacy.

“The public has a right to know why we are in Afghanistan, why we support Israel, how the US views us and which ministers are relying information to Washington.”

Despite Assange being held in the U.K. in relation to a warrant from Sweden, Loewenstein and anyone stupid enough to join him "will march on the U.S. consulate to demand":

* Julian Assange is afforded all legal rights and released from custody.

* Governments recognise Wikileaks as enjoying the same freedoms as all other media outlets.

* The Australian Government retracts all statements and threats which have shown their utter disregard for the public’s right to know what governments are doing.

Idiots of a feather...