Somewhat lost in the media revelation that WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange had his Twitter account details subpoenaed is the fact that also named in the legal documents was an Icelandic lawmaker. Now, it would appear, the American ambassador to that country has been called to Reykjavik and clearly has some explaining to do. Iceland is, essentially, what the U.S. would be if our country did more than pay lip service to the "freedom" that our forefathers fought so hard for and, instead, actually tried to promote a free society.
So, now that the U.S. Justice Department has obtained a court order to look into Twitter records for Birgitta Jonsdottir, there is a bit of discomfort between the two countries. Jonsdottir is an Icelandic parliamentarian who is on the nation’s Foreign Affairs Committee. She is also a former WikiLeaks collaborator and is known for working to initiate and further free speech directives. Noted Iceland’s Interior Minister Ogmundur Jonasson, "[It’s] very serious that a foreign state, the United States, demands such personal information of an Icelandic person, an elected official." Why, yes, Ogmundur, it is. It is a very serious matter indeed, as it appears that the U.S. government is taking this witch hunt international.
Added Janasson, "This is even more serious when put [in] perspective and concerns freedom of speech and people’s freedom in general." Also well put, Mr. Janasson. Side note: You’re doing such a fine job of pointing out the hypocrisy of the "free nation" that I will be able to abstain from doing so herein. Where the disagreement ends is anyone’s guess, but what remains clear is that messing with the U.S. government – whether your activities are legal or not – will get you in some serious trouble
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