BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Independent Parties WikiLeaks Strikes Again!!!

Well, WikiLeaks strikes again and once again will be sharing with the world documents that have been stolen. Okay, this is completely illegal and immoral. Will the government step in and prosecute the yahoos that are responsible? What do you think should be done about this????

Two words "Better Security"

Well, yes, the government should learn a lesson about their security systems and personnel, but still--breaking in is breaking in. Just because someone has an inadequate security system (or leaves their door wide open) does not make it okay to trespass and/or steal their property. The leaking of classified documents is illegal or at least a violation of the thief's employment agreement (if they were leaked by an insider), and so the thief should be punished.

But is it wrong for WikiLeaks to publish the information they receive? That's a much tougher question. They claim to be acting as a press agency and simply "reporting the news", in which case, they should be protected by freedom of speech/press. If our press lives in fear of reprisal, then we can't have a free press.

--Maria

In the UK all "they" are talking about is leaked diplomatic cables showing how Janas-like most diplomats are (a major reason I never considered that field as a career - too honest!) Plus how the leaks have revealed how rude one of the British Royal Family is - which is no news to anyone who has come into contact with him.
Has any really serious stuff come to light that is a security threat?

yea, tough question.
i don't think it's right to steal the info, (there are a lot of things security-wise that the public just doesn't NEED to know and would be dangerous if we did), but the question of free speech is another topic.
if the information that is related is more like gossipy rumors, that's bad enough, but not really a security threat. embarrassment, yes. threat, no.
i understand that shortly much more volatile information will be released. in that case, if there is truly a spew of information that could be considered a threat to our security, then i believe that more aggressive actions should be taken.
free speech is one thing, but to place the whole country in danger is quite another.
i was taught that my freedoms end where another's begin. if free speech is allowed to create endangerment, that is the 'line in the sand' that ends that freedom of speech. yes, one freedom DOES outweigh another when national security is at hand.
until some REAL damage is shown, i believe this guy is guilty of theft, not treason.
just my thoughts.....

At the moment all the very angry people calling for assassination etc. of the wikileaks founder on the basis of the current, minor ego-pricking stuff, just shows what happens when you upset narcissistic personalities with delusions of power and big mouths.

A bit more detail from the British press. The comments are interesting too.


British Press 'take' on Wikileaks and readers responses

Ian, there seems to be something wrong with your link--I just get an error message.

Bother! Sorry Mona, here it is again:

US embassy cables leak crisis

If no luck put "The guardian, world news, us embassy cable leak diplomacy crisis" (don't know if you need the commas) and that should bring it up. If it doesn't then there may be a bit of naughty censorship going on(!)

Hope that helps

Ok, this time, thanks.

I like the Borowitz Report take on it. Borowitz Report: Diplomats must start lying

(This is satire.)