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TexasMadness Profile
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WikiLeaks


Have you guys followed the WikiLeaks 'scandal'?

So far I cannot see that they have leaked any information that has been bad for the general well-being of the world. Yes, the information may be bad for those that want it covered up, but I think 'sunlight is the best disinfectant'. If wrong-doing is not brought to the open, how will things ever change?

What do you think about it all? Do you think Julian Assange is being harassed with trumped-up charges or is the case against him legitimate? Should the leaks continue?
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Justbec Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


I refuse to follow it and help this guy put our troops in danger.

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Paradise Lost, we're moving to Facebook!

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TexasMadness Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


Bec, my understanding is that they have only released old information that in no way affects current military operations (which WOULD be indefensible). I believe that even the people who thought it would be bad in the beginning have since redacted that position and said there was nothing to cause concern. I tried to find a source for that online but I was unable. There were old news stories about the possibility of safety issues, but nothing in the last few months. I wish there was more clear information out there - maybe you know of a source? All I can find are old opinions!

What about other information they've leaked?

Last edited by TexasMadness, 3/1/2011, 12:19 am
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Justbec Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


The problem is what they have leaked, old or new puts the country in a bad light. And the founder of Wikilinks has said over and over he isn't all that concerned if people get hurt because he is simply printing facts and truths.

I don't mean to get political but our Troops are near and dear to my heart. My brother is even in Kandahar, Afghanistan at the moment. I tend to get riled when anything endangers them. emoticon



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Re: WikiLeaks


It's a tricky thing, to be honest.

I remember that WikiLeaks also posted stuff US diplomats had collected about German politicians (and then went and added some very unfriendly notes about them), and who said what. And seriously, some German politicians were rather gullible! It's good to know them.

On the other hand, the line that WikiLeaks endangered troops seems like a userful defense line to me, and not necessarily the truth. In addition, all material was screened by newspapers (leading US ones among them) that cooperated with WikiLeaks, so they should also have evaluated the danger of publishing the material.

In fact, I found it extremely revealing that some parts of the US military blocked those newspaper sites from their personell and even told them they'd be punished if they looked at those websites. Shouldn't one's own troops be alerted to the dangers revealed by the leaks? Or would it be dangerous to let the own troops see what the military kept secret?

I live in a country where the government sorely mislead and misinformed its people during a rather infamous time in the 1930s and 40s. I've learned to distrust that kind of speech and declarations of danger to one's own people. Maybe that's why I'm less worried about the leaks, and more worried about the reaction to them.

I still believe the US are out to get Assange, no matter how. For revenge and to make an example out of him. And that will again shine a bad light on a country that publicly upholds human rights and free speech, and yet has violated them massively in places like Iraq or Afghanistan. (I also think that he should be punished for raping a women if that can be proven. In Sweden.)

Becky, I don't mean that to criticize your brother. He's doing a tough job, as he's ordered to do. That's heroic, and I hope he and his company are safe.

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TexasMadness Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


Thanks for your perspective Firle! Sometimes it's hard to get one outside of the US since the media seems to be dominated by US opinions.

If the information that was leaked puts the US in a bad light, perhaps it is for the best. That's what I mean by "sunlight is the best disinfectant". If your wrongdoings are exposed, it makes you less likely to do them in the future. I don't like the US being caught red-handed at anything either, but if the government/military/banks/etc ARE doing something wrong, it's better that it comes out and the problem is fixed!

Did you know that the intelligence branches that make reports to our congress giving advice on everything from foreign politics to domestic turmoil, are NOT allowed to look at wikileaks material either? So the information is public and available to anyone that wants it...except our top intelligence advisers that help mold our policy. HUH!?!?! I was outraged when I heard it. If others have access to the material, we had better use it to our advantage as well!

I read a bit more about the possible danger to the military. They didn't screen names - so dissidents, informants, etc were included. I could see that as being harmful. But I also couldn't find any evidence of repercussions yet. Actually, there is some talk that the upheavals in N. Africa are due to information obtained from the leaks. Time will tell if that will have a good or bad outcome...
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TexasMadness Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


I've been trying to think what my reaction would be if I were active in the armed forces. I'm sure at first I would have the same reaction I did as a civilian - namely, "what the #!*%, they can't divulge secrets about current military operations!!" But as things became more clear, or at least what is being reported, is that there isn't anything specifically dangerous.

My next reaction would also probably be the same. The word 'shame' is a bit strong. Maybe 'sorrow'. Some of the actions revealed have been atrocious. I don't think the actions have a clear line of who to blame. The individual soldiers are following orders. Their commanding officers are following orders. All the way up the chain until you get to people who are more out of touch with what is going on (simply because they are not on the ground there). Communication is hard and things simply can't be explained the way you know them to be. So it's the fault of human nature that some of the military 'mistakes' have happened.

But as a civilian, I've gotten mad about the things revealed. Mad that they happened, not that someone 'let' them happen or that the US is a bad country. Just mad. I think as a member of the military, it would make me PROUD to be doing the right things. I don't think that incidents are common place (geez, I really hope not!) and much of the work in the military is doing the best it can under the circumstances. And I would have hope that the leaks would prompt more effort to prevent mistakes in the future.

Now, about the political stuff and the commerce/banking? From what I've read so far, most of that stuff is simply shameful and embarrassing that that sort of stuff goes on...
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Saijen SilverWolf1 Profile
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Re: WikiLeaks


I'll be real honest...I'm at a total loss here. I have no clue what y'all are talking about! Guess I need to go do some reading before I can say anything one way or another.

---
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Re: WikiLeaks


Ok...from what little I've read (not what they did 'leak')...it would seem to me, first of all, if you're stupid enough to publish this stuff..regardless of the reasons, then you should take your lumps.
Second....what is the TRUE purpose of posting this stuff? What do these people hope to gain...other than trouble?

From the little I read, it seems that it's nothing more than a ploy to cause trouble between countries. I'll do a bit more reading, but for now, this is my take on it.

Edited to post:
More reading done, but have not yet found anything that THEY have written/posted...still can't make a fully informed comment. All I've found so far is the things about them...not from them. Will continue to read, as time allows.

Last edited by Saijen SilverWolf1, 3/2/2011, 2:01 am


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