Wikileaks releases 250,000 US embassy cables

[rns621]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...plomacy-crisis

What are your feelings on this? I am conflicted, on the one hand I think that we have sacrificed too much in the name of "security" but on the other hand I think that this could potentially put a lot of people in dangerous situations. What do you guys think?

[TheLegendaryJP]

My thoughts...

First I think a site such as this " keeps them honest" so to speak, knowing your secrets could be put in the open is a good thing for government to fear imo.

However, the down side is loss of life, always sad but not a danger they didn't already take into consideration.

btw, reading this stuff is not as shocking to me as others perhps, I mean what else did we think everyone thought of each other? lol

For example, if leaks published docs where Iran was hoping to kill or harm the president in 2008, would that be shocking?

[draggar]

While honesty is important some things need to stay a secret and how can you keep a secret when you tell the whole US?

btw, reading this stuff is not as shocking to me as others perhps, I mean what else did we think everyone thought of each other? lol

For example, if leaks published docs where Iran was hoping to kill or harm the president in 2008, would that be shocking?

Even though it is not as shocking some leaders could take it as aggression. While it's common sense that the US military has attack plans for scenarios, let's say North Korea, we know that, the NK government knows this, everyone knows this (it's common sense - you need to plan and I'm sure there are many scenarios like this drawn out "just in case") doesn't mean the US will go though with it.

BUT - If there are documents provided on the site then the NK government could say it is clearly an aggression and act preemptively and bomb SK and Japan (since they would most likely be the launching points of such an attack).

[Gerry]

If the leaks is an act of treason and treason is punishable by death, then bring back the firing squad.

It does not matter what was leaked.

If it is treason, then treason is treason. One little leak or one huge leak - I do not think there are varying degrees of treason.

[patroiz]

If the leaks is an act of treason and treason is punishable by death, then bring back the firing squad.

It does not matter what was leaked.

If it is treason, then treason is treason. One little leak or one huge leak - I do not think there are varying degrees of treason.

Wikileaks isn't from US. You can't charge random people around the world for treason.

"In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more serious acts of betrayal of one's sovereign or nation."

[fab]

I thought this topic would be much hotter. There were quite a few interesting leaks to be released, but then again who cares about the truth anyways!

[Gerry]

Wikileaks isn't from US. You can't charge random people around the world for treason.

"In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more serious acts of betrayal of one's sovereign or nation."

The person who supposedly provided the material to wikileaks was a US Army Soldier who allegedly downloaded all these documents as well as the tens of thousands war documents already published.

I guess you have to know the source behind the disclosure and the theft by a soldier who betrayed his country, all because he was scorned by his gay lover, to know what I was talking about and to whom I was referring.

I am sure there is a movie in the works already about this.

[afloat.com]

If the leaks is an act of treason and treason is punishable by death, then bring back the firing squad.

It does not matter what was leaked.

If it is treason, then treason is treason. One little leak or one huge leak - I do not think there are varying degrees of treason.

Well I would have expected more from you guys who have been around the internet for years...

Go after the people that leaked the information, wikileaks isn't guilty of leaking the information they are merely the conduit (of free speech) which its going through, or do you want to shut down DNF because stolen domains are been sold here?

[Gerry]

Well I would have expected more from you guys who have been around the internet for years...

Go after the people that leaked the information, wikileaks isn't guilty of leaking the information they are merely the conduit (of free speech) which its going through, or do you want to shut down DNF because stolen domains are been sold here?

Hey, afloat. What are you floating in?

Try reading the post right above you.

And **** the "you guys" comment.

[Tia Wood]

I believe in knowing what our government is doing and all but nothing is more silly than to think it is okay to announce to everyone "HEY! We are going to attack at this longitude and latitude at this time with these weapons and here is our strategy so be ready!".

I think the most shocking news of all is that these cables were leaked by a US solider. Shame on him. The right to know is one thing but do normal citizens really want to be burdened with knowing these things? Personally, I don't so I am not going to read them.

Look at what has happened in the past 24 hours. Crazy stuff!

Diplomats Feel Fallout After WikiLeaks Release

U.S. senators call for WikiLeaks prosecution

Bank Of America Shares Recover From Wikileaks Assault

Amazon says government pressure didn't lead to WikiLeaks ban

Another US company pulls plug on WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks Founder Lurks Beyond Reach of U.S. Law: Ann Woolner

Scotland Yard 'will arrest wanted WikiLeaks boss today'

[Area52]

Unfortunately for the soldier, he has to made an example. That is, if he is guilty.
Watch out for the politicians that will want to clamp down on all websites because of this.
They'll be the top ones to replace in the next elections, imo.
Then again, some of the proven crooks and wackos I thought would be replaced in November '10 got reelected.

[afloat.com]

.

And **** the "you guys" comment.

Sorry I didn't realise you were a chick. It all makes sense now.

[Raider]

Sorry I didn't realise you were a chick. It all makes sense now.

It doesn't take much for Doc to get his panties in a wad.

[Infoproliferati]

I think Wikileaks has created a global microscope for countries to re-examine their diplomatic positions with their "allies" with the release of these cables. Government officials of all countries will be shocked to discover the US' post analysis of "diplomatic" interactions. Imagine how US allies felt when they learned that Mrs. Clinton ordered UN diplomats to steal "DNA [samples], fingerprints, iris scans, credit card numbers, internet passwords and ID photos" of UN officials and human rights group activists. Now she is trying to play nice with Ban Ki-Moon.

The release of the cables by the soldier is a crime. But from a journalistic stand point, the dissemination by Wikileaks and the news media is fair game, constitutes investigative reporting/journalism and in modern times represents a case model for what one would call "freedom of the press."

[Gerry]

The release of the cables by the soldier is a crime. But from a journalistic stand point, the dissemination by Wikileaks and the news media is fair game, constitutes investigative reporting/journalism and in modern times represents a case model for what one would call "freedom of the press."

I agree with these points in principle, but in language - it was not a "release of cables" by a soldier. It is the theft of classified, secret, and top secret documents as well as violating the Military Code of Conduct that is a crime. Perhaps a treasonous act.

For Holder and others to want to extradite and prosecute as, as some called it, espionage is laughable and the whole world will be laughing as well. Assange did not spy on the US. Assange released documents that were given to him.

Trying him for espionage is like putting a bandaide on a gushing wound - you are not treating the underlying problem.

[Banned: dn-101]

I think it's time we start collecting $$ for Julian defence fund

[Gerry]

I think it's time we start collecting $$ for Julian defence fund

I am sure this suave svede will have no shortage or funds made available to him from anonymous donors as well as a world-class legal team that would go pro-bono just to get air time on the world stage.

[Banned: dn-101]

It's got nothing to do with how much $$ he's got.
It's important we show our support for free speech / First Amendment / decency

[Gerry]

I believe in free speech, decency, freedom, etc.

I also believe he precisely knew what he was doing to place him in this predicament.

As a matter of fact, he knew precisely what he was and is doing by placing additional "leaks" in secure places at over 200 locations to ensure his treatment.

So, sorry...no contribution from me.

[randomo]

It's got nothing to do with how much $$ he's got.
It's important we show our support for free speech / First Amendment / decency

I'm all in favor of the First Amendment, but stealing & releasing sensitive documents ain't my idea of "free speech".