Wikileaks release of more classified US documents

[GoodWitch58]

While it may make you as a journalist happy, it makes me as a retired military man outraged. It puts people with their lives on the line in danger in many cases. Even if it didn't, not everything that goes on in this nation should be open to everyone's purview. As you are well aware, AL, the 4th estate has certain responsibilities as well as certain duties. I am speaking of the release of any documents considered "classified", not just the bank data.

Some of the journalists/news agencies apparently have worked with the different governments to protect some information by redacking names or not printing information deemed harmful to people's lives...
according to this interview I heard this morning. The news media had this information for months before they started writing about it.
NPR Media Player

 

[idlewind]

Some of the journalists/news agencies apparently have worked with the different governments to protect some information by redacking names or not printing information deemed harmful to people's lives...
according to this interview I heard this morning. The news media had this information for months before they started writing about it.
NPR Media Player

Once the information is out there it is just a matter of time before someone prints it. you cannot fight human nature. Treason must be stopped at the source.

 

[Andy A]

I don't see Assange as a journalist, I see him as an activist.

I was referring to Alica Leonard, not Assange. She is a journalist and a very good one even if she and I do not agree politically.

 

[AndrewG]

This is a disaster for the administration. Hillary might have to step down. This could have easily been prevented but it was allowed to happen.

 

[Here4Good]

I was referring to Alica Leonard, not Assange. She is a journalist and a very good one even if she and I do not agree politically.

Sorry, you had referred to the responsibilities of the fourth estate, as though Assange should be held to those standards.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

While it may make you as a journalist happy, it makes me as a retired military man outraged. It puts people with their lives on the line in danger in many cases. Even if it didn't, not everything that goes on in this nation should be open to everyone's purview. As you are well aware, AL, the 4th estate has certain responsibilities as well as certain duties. I am speaking of the release of any documents considered "classified", not just the bank data.

It makes me as a citizen happy that the government you so often assail and all the other ones are out there for the world to see. Has not a thing to do with my job title. Nor am I happy that anyone in the military is in danger. I come from a military family. What American would want to see another in danger? Really?

But seeing such as who is really funding who. Those things are important to me. Somethings should be known so we can all stop being lied to. As with the invent of the Internet, and some so-called tv channels, very few follow the establishments rules, much to my chagrin.

If the banks are acting unethically and they won't be held accountable unless it is though Wiki, I say good on them.

The other side to that coin is what is Wiki not releasing, as my editor and I discussed today. In choosing the info dumped, he can shape an image as he wants. It's a two sided sword. But in the end, as long as service people are protected, I want to know the rest. Esp. about the banks. I'm still seething about the bailouts.

And after some of the reading I've been doing, we need to bring our people home, if our supposed allies are funding the people we are fighting. That would keep them safer than anything else, imho.

 

[Andy A]

The fact remains, as you, your editor and evidently many others, seem completely to ignore, that there are events that go on in the military, state department and other branches of government that are none of your or my business. You and your ilk can do nothing but harm with such information. That is why it is "classified". My top secret clearance meant just that. When I was informed that what I was privy to in any instance was top secret, it meant that I was not to disclose it to anyone. What is it about national security so many do not understand? Enough of this discussion. I now understand why some in power do not want to give out information for publication to any media outlet.

 

[scooterbug44]

As much as I hate these banks, I hate this more. I want the information to come from FBI raids based on warrants issued by a judge.

This was bound to happen: hackers disrupting his site:

WikiLeaks reports another electronic disruption - CNN.com

I can't wait until some Malaysian hacker posts Assange's bank account numbers.

Nice to see some hackers using their skills for good - apparently they have also screwed up Iran's enrichment program by messing with the centrifuge speeds.

I don't mind when info is leaked to show that the government is lying or to show collusion, but I agree that leaking classified info is a slippery slope - but how do we take this guy to task when we have people at every level of government leaking info?

Not saying he's blameless, but who's to blame for the bank robbery - the guy picking up dropped $100 bills or the folks who stole them from the bank and dropped them?

 

[Alicia Leonard]

The fact remains, as you, your editor and evidently many others, seem completely to ignore, that there are events that go on in the military, state department and other branches of government that are none of your or my business. You and your ilk can do nothing but harm with such information. That is why it is "classified". My top secret clearance meant just that. When I was informed that what I was privy to in any instance was top secret, it meant that I was not to disclose it to anyone. What is it about national security so many do not understand? Enough of this discussion. I now understand why some in power do not want to give out information for publication to any media outlet.

My editor is actually against it as per our discussion today, not good to assume or lump in together. Nor did I ever state that I believe it was ok or ethical to endanger American lives. In fact, I stated just the opposite.

I'm sure that the average American as I count myself one of should just go with what the Government tells me, and not the truth. Guess the Tea Party would not be around if they believed in that, in fact nor would our country if people were just going to take their orders from a Government or a king and not be allowed to question.

At what point does transparency kick in? For anyone? Is it only for taxes? I'll admit past the point of state secrets, it's just a crap shoot as far as personal opinion as to what should be transparent or not. I'll take an independent stance then, as long as it's tax payer money, and soldiers lives are not endangered, then it should be transparent. Otherwise, we should just be a country of mushrooms.

Maybe someone of your "ilk" can help me out on that. (I added this because it was a smartie comment back at your smartie comment.)

And while I am on the subject of transparency: I like you Andy, and I respect your service to our country, and your life experience, so, I am really tired of us having a pissy back and forth on anything. Let's be nice to each other, have a civil discussion without being dismissive or a smartie butt to each other. We don't have to be dismissive of each other to get our points across and it demeans us both to do so.

 

[LuciferSam]

A news outlet should never have access to classified information in the first place. The blame should be put on whoever leaked that information to them, but the media shouldn't be expected to ascertain whether or not information they receive is secret or top secret. At least they shouldn't have a legal obligation to do so. Charge the leaker with treason maybe, but not the media. There's a link on this page that has a video about Bradley Manning, the Private who leaked the information.

U.S. cable: Karzai intervened for drug traffickers - U.S. news - Security - msnbc.com