Poll: Should the Public Cheer WikiLeaks for Posting Government Secrets?

Komfort August 21, 2012 at 05:22 pm

"One of the Wikileaks cables gives new insight into President Obama’s embarrassing bow to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. The incident took place on April 1, 2009, at the G-20 summit in London. This was preceded by a March 15 meeting between the king and Ambassador Ford Fraker, Ambassador Clint Williamson, and White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan , in which the king praised Mr. Obama effusively. A March 22 cable , classified SECRET, contained the following paragraph headed “THE WORLD NEEDS OBAMA:”
'Brennan said President Obama looked forward to seeing the King at the G-20 summit in London. "Thank God for bringing Obama to the presidency," the King answered, which has created "great hope" in the Muslim world. "May God grant him strength and patience, Abdullah continued, "May God protect him. I'm concerned about his personal safety. America and the world need such a president."' Clearly King Abdullah was speaking directly to Mr. Obama’s exalted self-image. No wonder the president bowed to the king when they met ten days later, it was the least he could do for someone who so clearly understood Mr. Obama’s central place in the world." http://washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2010/nov/29/wikileaks-and-obamas-bow/

SJ August 21, 2012 at 07:01 pm

Roaches and politicians seem to scramble in a similar manner when the light is turned on. I wonder why that is?

Mary August 21, 2012 at 07:02 pm

Do you have a problem showing respect to the leader of any country? Or is it just certain countries? It’s called diplomacy.
When documents are classified, there are usually good reasons. I am glad that you are not in charge of classified documents. The world would have access because of your paranoia and belief you know better than all.

Things I Learned August 21, 2012 at 07:08 pm

State secrets are cool again. Kneel before Zod.

Komfort August 21, 2012 at 07:16 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc8Wc1CN7sY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DygBj4Zw6No

Mary August 21, 2012 at 07:49 pm

K & TIL - I keep waiting for useful information to come from either of you, but I’m not holding my breath.

Things I Learned August 21, 2012 at 08:39 pm

http://splicd.com/CBncb56Z_xI/41/69

Frank Oliver Biddle August 21, 2012 at 10:32 pm

I support Julian.

Sarah Riccitelli August 22, 2012 at 01:46 pm

I support Julian & I'm suspicious of the sex assault charges. They're just too convenient for the gov'ts. A well-informed populace is essential for a Constitutional democratic republic. If some disagree, then they can move somewhere where there is less media freedom & more secretive gov'ts. North Korea, Russia & China come to mind.

Steve Schock August 22, 2012 at 01:58 pm

Members of the general public are entitled to their opinions. In a free republic, those opinions need to be well informed. However, individuals are actually NOT in a position to judge what things those charged with the responsibility of protecting them and the nation should reveal or not. You will never know the whole story. This is not your life's work. You could not be well informed enough to decide. Those whose job it is to do so decide and as part of your gov't they are appointed to carry out this responsibility. Holding your gov't accountable is what you do at the ballot box which is why it is vital to keep the vote valid and limited to eligible citizens only. Arbitrary and dogmatic declassification of the gov't's behind-the-scenes business is harmful to the national interest. If you don't trust your gov't, stop electing untrustworthy leaders! They set the tone and the standards.

Things I Learned August 22, 2012 at 02:12 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-rQ6Jay6w

Steve Schock August 22, 2012 at 05:51 pm

TIL: Amusing. Perhaps not without some basis. However, if this clip is chosen to make your point, I hope you don't rely on Hollywood movies to teach you about gov't, or anything else. They are fiction and written to entertain. But if you are kidding me, I get it.

Things I Learned August 22, 2012 at 06:57 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7tGEEWQIhQ
;-)

Kathy August 23, 2012 at 03:08 am

First of all Julian Assange is an idiot and so are all the people that believe everything that comes out of his A**, I mean his mouth. All Julian has done is endanger the lives of our Military, under cover CIA & FBI agents.
Does our Government and President lie, deceive and cover up, OF COURSE! Unfortunately, the last 4 years have had EXTREME Detrimental results. I pray everyday that Obama will be out of Office in a few months and God willing, he will be. Our Foreign relations has NEVER been this bad. Our Economy has NEVER been this bad. The Citizens of the U.S. has NEVER had so little faith in our Government. The President, Congress and Senate has a VERY long way to regain our trust, if ever. It is time for our Government STOP playing Political games and START caring about its Citizens, Legal Citizens.

Loki August 26, 2012 at 07:18 am

Well said Kathy!
I need to disagree on a couple of points: 1) WikiLeaks has never created a leak - it has only provided a forum on which to publish it. If lives are endangered it is the fault of the informant not the publisher. 2) All WikiLeaks leaks are dual sourced prior to publishing - it makes its "news" more genuine and trustworthy - they are not "tabloids". This authenticity is the very reason the targeted governments are enraged with them/him. Just think, with as much anger as is directed towards WikiLeaks the absence of even a single libel case is pretty powerful. Also, the earlier response to these leaks was to attempt arrest, or worse, of Assange on charges of treason - but that only provided smoke for the fire. The latest tactic by our government is to ignore WikiLeaks stories - (as with most anti-Obama news) - such as the leak of bin Laden's body being flown to US - and hope that the main stream media will not pick it up. This tactic seems to be working well for them - as they attempt to quietly arrest/extradite Assange for an alleged sex offense. So yes I tend to believe everything WikiLeaks leaks. My opinion: Why kill the messenger?

Jay Berman August 27, 2012 at 09:30 pm

The private that leaked this data should be charged with treason ..