MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Ecuadorian columnist sentenced to jail and million dollars fine granted asylum in the US
A newspaper columnist who fled Ecuador after he was sentenced to jail and ordered to pay millions of dollars in a libel case pushed by President Rafael Correa has been granted asylum in the United States, his lawyer said on Thursday. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesAre you reading this about your savior julian? Freedom of speech for the media.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 01:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0We don't want him here!
Aug 31st, 2012 - 02:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0But...but...Ecuador has a free press, they screamed this from the rooftops when protecting Assange...surely they wouldn't lie to us...?
Aug 31st, 2012 - 06:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0@2
Aug 31st, 2012 - 06:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Well since he's not going to Argentina you got your wish, fake US citizen.
Tit-for-tat?
Aug 31st, 2012 - 08:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0This would appear to be a proper use of political asylum. Note that Palacio WAS being persecuted in his OWN country and it WAS political. Where did he rush to. OUT of his own country where he was being persecuted. To another country where he hoped to be FREE. And how long did his request take? Hours? No. Days? No. Weeks? No. It took months. Compare this to Assange. He wasn't in his own country. His own country is Australia. He wasn't being politically persecuted. He was wanted to answer allegations of sexual misconduct. He ran to save his yellow skin from criminal charges. And Correa has aided him. Does that make Correa a criminal? Aiding and abetting a criminal fugitive? I think it does!
Aug 31st, 2012 - 10:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0But the Yanquis can give the criminal asylum and he can write as much anti-ecuadorian propaganda as he wants.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 11:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0Ecuador still doesn't want him but why do the Yanquis want him?
We all know why if we have any sense.He will live in Florida in the end,on the Latin reservation.
Clearly a tit-for-tat planned in combination with US authorities to embarass Correa. How desperate. The guy was in no danger of being arrested, and what he wrote against Correa -- he accused him, without any proof, of crimes against humanity -- wouldn't go unpinished in any country of the world.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 11:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0The British will fête the grant as they clearly have an axe to grind against Assange. Even the “left-wing” The Guardian is omitting the jounalist's crime, saying that he was sentenced only because he criticized Correa. Accusing the president of ordering the army to open fire against a hospital isn't just criticism -- it is libel, if no proof in favour of it can be produced.
So critizing government in ecuador is what free speech is all about, yet a criminal act in ecuador. It's such a scam that south america profess democracy without the freedom of speech or the concept of dreedom of the press.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 12:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0^
Aug 31st, 2012 - 02:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0^
^
You're just ignorant. Accusing the president of crimes against humanity without producing evidence, would be deemed a crime everywhere in the world. You guys in Britain censor even gossip books about the queen. You're in no position to lecture Ecuador.
Poppy is just reactionary.Free speech stops at secret which protect the state for him,ie wikileaks,but not at newspapers organising lies to forment opposition and even armed insurrection,ie Venezuela.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 03:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Yanquis really are stupid if they weren't so selfish and greedy.
Suppose interferring in the affairs of another state is democratic poppycock
I'm not a guy in Britain. I think you're quite sophomoric in thought to think that a notion should develve EVERYTHING it does. Can you imagine during WWII (I forget RGs were waiting it out to see what side wins) if they devulged the movements of the military to newspapers? Most everything is available under the FOI act and after a period of time. Most of my tenure in the military is still calssifed from the 70s. It is juvenile to think that governments should not keep things from the public .....but thats your radical opinion and your right to it.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 04:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0#10 it's not a crime in the free world.
Yuleno you have poor word choice in english. Every country interferes where ever they deem necessary that in in the best interest of their noation, such as argentina trying to interfere with the British Falkland Islands because thy think it is in there best interest. The nation interferring can always be stopped by the “interred nation” if they want to.
I would have to say by your standards that ecuador is interferring with a process between Britain and Sweden.
I'm not childish or innocent poppy,but I'm not the one who try's to have pure freedom of speech on the one hand,and have censorship on the other.We are on an interesting topic here,and I would be interested to know who you think should control information,who you think actually controls it and to what end is it being controlled
Aug 31st, 2012 - 06:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As for your statement that a country can stop interference from outside,if it wants to,can you tell me what Chile should have done.Or what can Cuba do.
All three questions are broad stroked and I would need specifics to answer them.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 014 Captain Poppy
Aug 31st, 2012 - 07:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I wouldn't waste your time on Yuleno and the other prat Forge Tit 1787.
Whatever you say these idiots will twist and turn it until THEY think they have justified themselves.
Everybody knows what a pair of shysters they are.
He goes in circles often.....he purpose is to control the discussion but I enjoy the joist, regardless of the fact he is a youthful political zealot, fully indoctrinated as a neophytic pawn without ever having experienced the world beyond his borders.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 04 LEPRecon I am a US citizen! A patriot as well. A patriot that remembers the blood spilled and sacrifice of so many that fought end all ties with your rotten colonial system. As a former US Navy man for over 20 years I was able to see the world and the mess that your colonial system left behind for so many. I would hope that my Government would impose the Monroe Doctrine and put an end to your destabilizing and threats to peace in our hemisphere.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 08:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Navy were you sussie now you where in the US Navy........what was your rating, what squadron or fleet were you with and ship and where did you deploy to and put in at?
Aug 31st, 2012 - 09:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 016# This is broad brush,isn't it Poppy.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 09:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Therefore who controls information in El Salvador,and to what end is it being controlled,and who do you think should control it,and why?In your own time.
@19 Yuleno What has El Salvador got to do with anything?
Aug 31st, 2012 - 09:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@ProRG_American You are about as American as my rear end! You are just another Argentine troll masquerading!
18 Captain Poopy That is none of your business!
Aug 31st, 2012 - 09:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In no country of the world is libel considered freedom of speech, CP. Accusing Correa of ordering a hospital fire without presenting evidence is a libel, and thus subject to prosecution, not only in Ecuador, but everywhere else. As I said before, Britain is nor in a position to look down on Ecuador.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 10:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@ChrisR
What resentful little puppy.
I wouldn't know anything about Britain. Libel is a tort action and not a criminal action. little correa can't handle the criticism. correa is what correa is and all outside of south american knows that.
Aug 31st, 2012 - 11:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 020# Thanks for your question.
Sep 01st, 2012 - 04:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0El Salvador is a very important country in Central America.It is a member of the UN and a democracy so valued by the USA and the UK and respected by many other countries.It has friendly relations with other countries and welcomes visitors with great hospitality.
Is that enough or do you need more.
What is your problem with El Salvador or were you just wondering.
Poppy,once again you equate your opinions with a global consensus excluding South Americans.Is that saying anything?
Yes .....sa is an us against the world group of malcontents. Maybe if you spent as much effort making your citizens independent, self surviving individuals, as opposed to lifelong government dependent on handouts with leaders saying the world is picking on me, WTO is against me, IMF is exploiting me, oh woe is me ....poor little south america.
Sep 01st, 2012 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You choose to align with another country only because they are latin, no other reason. You would cut off you nose in order the spite your face.
Have you ever wondered why your development in south america has been retarded in comparison to North America when we both started at the same time? If you wish to remain a tribal society, do not complain about world trade and not meeting the standards to of country you wish to import to.
Your leaders are power mongers and hell bend of forever rulers of there countries. The press plays a vital role in a democracy, but you would not know or understand that. They cannot handle criticism so they repress free press. The church opposed Gutenberg when he invented the printing press for one reason......knowledge for the people at mass levels. Maybe argentina will import books again. What bigger threat to power is there then knowledge? Your dictators can remain in power indefinitely by repressing their people to a level of self sufficiency and keeping them dependent and creating a new generation of indoctrinated youth like the hitler youth....aka la campora. I really careless or as much as an ass pimple about sa once my wife's family is all out of argentina.
South America is it's worst enemy. The irony of the south america rulers is rather then giving their people the opportunity for self sufficiency, they keep them away from everything they surround themselves with.
I do not and never will profess my country is perfect and I certainly know it is not and disagree with a lot they do. But by far it surpasses sa in freedoms, opportunities and self sufficiency.
free to insult!
Well said about Argentina, Cap'n. Thats why we don't want anything to do with them.
Sep 02nd, 2012 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 022# there is history between myself and a couple of other posters.Some people are aggressive but expect others to apologise for things.So be it.
Sep 02nd, 2012 - 05:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 026# Nice to hear your valuable contribution.For information can you indicate on behalf of whom you post.
20# thanks for your post but do you see how angry this is all making Capt Poppy.Please will you make another perceptive contribution.Im sure Poppy would feel a lot better.
I feel fine Yuleno......you asked me a question in 24 and I answered it. You really do allow yourself the most liberties in making the assumptions that you do. I am sorry that you consider me angry and aggressive. I never thought you were the sensitive type I will be better to post more passively for you. Not meant to chink in your armor.
Sep 02nd, 2012 - 07:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well poppy you certainly got a lot off your chest.
Sep 02nd, 2012 - 10:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 024# was primarily directed at Gord01 but unfortunately he has declined to continue the thread at present.
Once again,however, Capt I notice that you address the whole of south America with very little comment on the media and censorship.Forgive me for thinking you where angry but you did let off a lot of steam and addressed the whole of south America and it so-called inherent problems.
What is the role of the press in the USA.Exposing watergate or covering up Abu gharib,Exposing government or covering up wrong doing.
I like to think that they do try to investigate a lot of what the government does wrong. Not always successful, not always objective and sometimes subjective, but they have a lot of liberties and to play a role in American politics.
Sep 03rd, 2012 - 12:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0My government is not angels by any stretch of my imagination, nor am I in agreement to all of there actions. However I don't think the press covered up Abu Gharib but exposed it.
This is just populist posturing by the banana republic US regime =)
Sep 04th, 2012 - 01:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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