Assange is, indeed, familiar with the Federalist papers, even self-describes as a libertarian and denies being an anarchist. His apologetics evoke some interesting political questions regarding the different variations of and distinctions between anarchists and libertarians? In a broader context, beyond that particular quote, Assange's tactics raise some interesting legal questions regarding the 1st Amendment, espionage and sedition? And what is legal is not always dispositive of what is moral! So, what are the relevant moral questions? In an even wider context, in threads such as this, we will encounter questions regarding the use of various coercive forces in different ways, levels and frequencies. Coercion can present very subtly in our lives and probably needs to be more broadly conceived by most folks so it can be more readily recognized and then prudently managed? That is why I am grateful for the voices of prophetic protest and the lives of prophetic witness that challenge all forms of coercion! Finally, this raises what may perhaps be the most interesting questions of all --- those involved in distinguishing between true and false prophets, or maybe less dualistically, in establishing criteria to discern how and to what extent any of us are cooperating with the Spirit, at any given time, in any given way?
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