@ Cueball
Well there is no defense as yet because as you say, there are no charges (and I completely agree with you about the frustrating nature of that situation).
As I said in the last thread, beyond the possible plot or manipulation there is a crucial missing piece - why the two women went to the authorities in the first place.
We have already had links posted with the theory that one or both of the women involved lied or had a hidden agenda.
The other possibility is that one or both of them went to the authorities in good faith, for whatever reason.
These are the only two possibilities, and clearly we're not going to know which it is for at least a few days yet, and we may never know.
It would be wrong to assume that Assange is guilty or even under great suspicion until all the evidence is laid out. By the same token, as frustrating as it is, I think we have to acknowledge that the two complainants did play a significant role in this, but that we won't know what that role is until when and if the evidence is presented.
For me, I think it is best to focus any attempt to remove him from the U.K. without valid grounds, and on the possibility of charges and a call for extradition to the U.S. While these two women going to the police was the act which set that all in motion, it may be a completely separate matter. It is clear we should condemn the states' actions, and the rumour mill; but I think it is important to withhold judgment on their role and what we know of their accusations until it is heard in the British and possibly the Swedish courts.