I usually don’t do stuff like this, but I want to make my statement, sometimes it calls for it…
Ok, listen, the thing about WikiLeaks. First off, I totally understand the notion of transparency and communication between the American people and the government. Unfortunately, although this should be the case 100% of the time, it can’t be.
There are bigger things out there that surpass our little worlds’ and our small place in it, things that matter for the national security of the country and it’s people. In order to rule (govern) a large body of people you have to keep them in the dark in regards to the bigger, nastier things out there.
The things that go down between governments affects the world at large which in turn could possibly affect affect us adversely, or maybe positively. Which ever one it is, it is still vital that the our secrets and actions are kept secret because unfortunately, there are a ton of people out there who will feel no shame or remorse using that information against our country and its allies.
Also, how is leaking classified documents about our actions in the world any different than a spy passing on classified information to their respective countries. They get life imprisonment (sometimes death) and are despised by the American people. How is what WikiLeaks any different? They passed on classified documents/information to the whole world, to our enemies, something that can have a far greater effect than given secrets to one single country.
The funny thing is that people are praising this guy for what he did. He may have appeased the extreme left with his ethos, but the truth is he has done much more harm to the rest of us.
There are bigger things out there than us…
oh lord. you are so wrong. most of these cables have revealed that our officials we assume are acting in the best interest of its citizens and keeping us safe are actually doing so in the interest of corporations. When George Bush led us into a war because of WMD’s and claiming they “hate our freedom” he lied. The truth is we were attacked because of corrupt measures these people take to insure an unevenl playing field for big money corporations back home. I’ve read cables about Sony and Disney playing a huge part in re-writing Spain’s copyright laws. Today I read about Shell infiltrating Nigerian govt. We also see that China and the US blocked the progress of climate talks. Soon we will learn about BofA and coverups in the BP oil spill. There is some funny gossip about foreign leaders and secret drug and alcohol parties in Saudi Arabia, but the gossip doesnt compare to the illegal actions the US is taking around the globe. And not to keep us safe. The argument that we are just so small minded to be able to know the truth of what is going on is just absurd. We live in a democracy where facts and information help us make better decisions about who we vote for and the direction we want our country to go in. I could support the argument that secrets should be kept secret, if they were acting legally. But the powers that be are upset about this leak because it is embarrassing and proves what many people have thought for a long time. We are told that the US is the greatest country and I am ashamed of what I’ve found out. I respectfully 100% disagree with your post here and I will keep coming back for the music.