Some thoughs on Wiki Leaks

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Democracy Now

Is there a hero in this? Who are they?

 

I wanted to toss my two cents worth into the discussion surrounding the Wiki Leaks "situation".

While Pvt. Manning clearly broke the law and may well spend time in prison, it is well understood that for all of human history, citizens have risked their freedom as well as their lives to bring the truth to light. History may record Private Manning as one of those martyrs for truth. Right now, our nation is more concerned with avenging it's embarrassment over the exposing of dirty secrets they would prefer not be known. Nothing in the release of the helicopter video, secreted to Wiki Leaks, endangered anyone other than perhaps those who were caught doing wrong in our names. The question there should be who really did the wrong? Was it those who killed innocent people or those who hid those killings or the person who exposed the lie.

Private Manning was to the US Military what the videographer who captured LA police beating Rodney King was to law enforcement...the expose of cover ups of bad behavior by those we should be trusting to uphold the honor of our citizens and our nation.

The source of many of the documents is still unknown and may never be known.

I have mixed feelings about Julian Assange. Is he the hero he wants to be though? Not as much as those who risk obtaining and transferring the leaked documents. There is no doubt Mr. Assange will be made the scapegoat for the entire "incident" of Wiki Leaks, it is too late for him to avoid that. I will not be surprised if it comes out that the current charges against him for alleged sexual misconduct is really a "dirty trick" to discredit him and to remove him from society by any means possible. That is still speculation but certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

I note that Assange has set up a defense fund for himself. I have yet to hear a word of concern from him about Pvt. Manning who is already facing charges for his small contribution to Assange's brain child. I find that to be a bit off-putting in my assessment of Assange's personal character. There should be a "Donate" button there for Private Manning as well.

I do salute the idea and premise of Wiki Leaks. People deserve to know what is done in their names. When we allow our government to behave in a bad way toward others, it reflects upon us as a people. I don't want my government doing things behind my back that makes our nation look bad and that puts any of our citizens at risk.

There was a time when we had a strong newspaper media. Real reporters seeking and publishing the truth. They were often referred to as the fourth estate...an unofficial watchdog of our government and it's players. Money and apathy seem to be silencing those voices. No one is following the greats to keep America and the world informed. Wiki Leaks and the Internet is our final frontier of information we need to know in order to make informed judgments about how our leaders are representing our nation in the eyes of the world.

Wiki Leaks has stepped on some powerful toes. People who have and will always try to put their personal interests ahead of those of the greater society. Our own president promised voters greater transparency if we would send him to the White House. It does not appear this is one of the promises he intended to keep.

No truly great nation can retain freedom when it's own government lies and conceals the truth of it's actions from it's own citizens. Wiki Leaks is the vehicle we need to educate ourselves when our own governments refuse to do so willingly.

If you behave in an ethical and moral manner there should be little need for so many secrets.

I understand the need for some kinds of secrets such as weapons programs and war time strategy to name two, are legitimate things to keep in the dark, but for awhile...until their exposure no longer risks harm.

 

Secrets that cover up wrong doing are bad secrets. I believe that in the big picture, Wiki Leaks represents a step toward more freedoms and more honest governments.

Credit to Artist

Despite the fact that credit card companies and PayPal have cut off donations to Wiki Leaks while continuing to honor those who purchase racialy offensive novelties from the KKK, there remain other ways to contribute if you choose to support their cause.  I am not making any specific suggestion about doing so, only offering the link.  CLICK HERE to donate to WikiLeaks.

 

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