Discussion: WikiLeaks

[Sloth7d]

Some of the most inspirational figures in history were narcissists so...

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

I think living in America, we are all a little narcissistic.

 

[Marx]

On a more light-hearted note...

UPDATE: ASSANGE TO PLAY HIMSELF ON "SIMPSON'S" 500TH SHOW
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/julian-assange-simpsons-wikileaks_n_1242182.html

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Some of the most inspirational figures in history were narcissists so...

And he ain't one of them.

 

[Sloth7d]

And he ain't one of them.

The guy has attracted his nest of fans and opponents world wide; with his far reaching influence, I don't see how you can say he won't be one for the history books. Wikileaks is a pretty big and unprecedented deal that has reopened the question in public opinion of "who watches the watchmen?" and following from that question, "what should be classified information, and what should be public knowledge?"

 

[Spidey-Bat]

infamous =! inspirational

 

[Sloth7d]

And like Caesar or Che Guevara, he has his fans as well as his critics. So he'll be both imfamous and inspirational depending on who you ask, but whether you like him or not, his narcissism is nothing new to the track record of historical icons.

 

[Marx]

According to Reuters, WikiLeaks has began to publish over five million emails from US-based global security analysis firm, Stratfor.

 

[terry78]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/assange-ecuador-asylum-u-k-123726223.html


I figured someplace like Ecuador would grant him some safe passage, as it were.

 

[The Question]

I know this is old, but I have to comment.

The US Military is not the Legion of Doom.

Manning isn't wrong because they, the military, say he is. He's wrong because what he did is a criminal act according to federal law. You cannot have members of the armed forces leaking confidential information, regardless of what it is. He has to be punished strictly to show that this behavior won't be tolerated. Military transparency cannot exist.

As a citizen of this country I absolutely disagree. Without a certain level of transparency, horrific war crimes could go on right under out noses in out name. That thought absolutely sickens me. Bradley Manning broke the law, but sometimes breaking the law is the right thing to do. A lot of situations aren't clear cut right and wrong.

I'm absolutely happy Manning leaked that info. I'd much rather have people in our military leaking information like that than have out military be responsible for the deaths of innocent people in a war they never asked for.

Honestly, I think people who don't think that way have messed up priorities.

infamous =! inspirational

In what way is he infamous? Infamy implies he's well known for being an awful person. While he may have done something awful, it's not the thing he's known for.

 

[8wid]

^Crimes are happening under out nose at CIA blacksites, Guantanamo Bay, accidental killings of civilians, come acts of covered up murder etc. The US military is not transparent and is treating Manning like a detainee at Guantanamo by holding him for so long without a trial, especially in solitary confinement. If anyone should be arrested it should be George W. Bush and his cabinet for crimes against humanity.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I know this is old, but I have to comment.



As a citizen of this country I absolutely disagree. Without a certain level of transparency, horrific war crimes could go on right under out noses in out name. That thought absolutely sickens me. Bradley Manning broke the law, but sometimes breaking the law is the right thing to do. A lot of situations aren't clear cut right and wrong.

I'm absolutely happy Manning leaked that info. I'd much rather have people in our military leaking information like that than have out military be responsible for the deaths of innocent people in a war they never asked for.

Honestly, I think people who don't think that way have messed up priorities.



In what way is he infamous? Infamy implies he's well known for being an awful person. While he may have done something awful, it's not the thing he's known for.

It's not the Manning stuff that's the problem. Some stuff should be exposed. The problem with Assange is that he's leaking stuff that really shouldn't be leaked and tend to cause problems with relations between various nations.

 

[The Question]

It's not the Manning stuff that's the problem. Some stuff should be exposed. The problem with Assange is that he's leaking stuff that really shouldn't be leaked and tend to cause problems with relations between various nations.

Perhaps? I haven't seen anything from wikileaks that I wouldn't want the average citizen to be informed about.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Perhaps? I haven't seen anything from wikileaks that I wouldn't want the average citizen to be informed about.

Things like Sarah Palin's Yahoo account, a membership list of political parties, a list of political contributors, and diplomatic cables that show how various diplomats view other countries in private really shouldn't be leaked to the average citizen.

 

[The Question]

Things like Sarah Palin's Yahoo account, a membership list of political parties, a list of political contributors, and diplomatic cables that show how various diplomats view other countries in private really shouldn't be leaked to the average citizen.

Sarah Palin's yahoo account I'll grant you, and I can see an argument for both sides with political party members. But the second two should absolutely be public knowledge. Political contributions can and often do result in political favors for those making the contributions, and the people should absolutely know what people or groups have the most influence over our political process. As for diplomats, it's an important job that's appointed, not elected, and I think the public deserves to know wether or not the people in those jobs deserve them.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Ummmmmm.....no they shouldn't be public. A person's political contributions shouldn't be forced out. How would you feel if someone published what you gave to a certain candidate. And certain diplomatic cables are kept secret for a reason of keeping friendly ties with other nations, you don't want to have them pissed off for stupid reasons now.

 

[The Question]

Again, disagreed. I honestly wouldn't care if my campaign donations were a matter of public record and I don't see why anyone else should. Making that thing public record helps to keep the political process honest. If the CEO of a food company makes a massive political contribution right before a new law regarding FDA regulations is voted on, the people of the country have a right to know.

As for the ambassadorial thing, while it's true maintaining friendly relations is important, holding necessary offices like that accountable to public scrutiny is also important.