Extraordinary Rendition: Assange & Extradition Chic

Now, this is what I call extraordinary rendition.

We’ve seen�and loved�Cablegate Comix, A Leaky World, and other examples of Wikileaks cultural hacks. Contrast those knowing efforts with this bizarre Newsweek slideshow, an un-ironic clusterfuck of crisscrossing, simulacrum-generating signifiers. We see Julian feeding the chickens, chucking organic firewood, and tucking into a scrumptious holiday feast at Ellingham Hall, whilst modeling a tasteful selection of tweeds and wellingtons�as Martha Stewart could have told him, wellies are great for hiding those unsightly electronic monitoring cuffs.

The caption for the above photo reads as follows: “After a long day of work on the farm, Assange kicks off his shoes and strikes a lordly pose. He’s due back in court on Jan. 11 for his pretrial hearing on extradition.” We suggest an alternative: Ceci n’est pas un zeitgeist!

Can you imagine a fashion-plate treatment of the plight of Bradley Manning? No. You. Can’t.

[via the indispensable Tim Maly]