What is everyones opinion of this whole thing? Good or bad?

 

I think its a good thing. The more transparency the better.

 

I also don't think the guy is guilty of rape either. Seems just like a ploy by our govt to discredit and have him arrested and extradited to the US.

 

I read a big article about the rape accusations. Pretty shady on the part of the women who are involved. Kinda long.

 

Link Link Link Link

The guy is not American and even if he was he did nothing illegal by publishing the leaks. Those that leaked the material are guilty and should be punished. I do not condone people who leak information, but when it happens you have to look at it and use it. I don't care to speculate on the rape charges against him, since there is no way I could know either way.

What is everyones opinion of this whole thing? Good or bad?

 

I think its a good thing. The more transparency the better.

 

I also don't think the guy is guilty of rape either. Seems just like a ploy by our govt to discredit and have him arrested and extradited to the US.

 

I read a big article about the rape accusations. Pretty shady on the part of the women who are involved. Kinda long.

 

Link Link Link Link

 

I agree with you... I think it's a good thing. I think ALL governments (not just the US) should be transparent to the public. Afterall, the governments true function is supposed to be to serve its citizens.

 

I've read quite a few articles and other literature that point to the rape allegations being pretty shady, and most likely fake, in order to get this guy.

I don't care about Mr. Assange, as he's just the owner. I'm more curious of his sources though. Cables and other documents just don't fall off the back of trucks, and I actually don't blame Assange for any backlash that has occurred. That Private who got nailed a couple months ago for leaking info is an example of what I'm talking about regarding sources (and good riddance that he'll be locked up for a good while).

 

As for whats been released, I personally haven't sifted through any of it-- nor will I. From what I've heard, the information that could be mined from the recent leaked info (the stuff from the State Dept) wouldn't necessarily hurt national security as most of the info is already known by most other governments-- just not necessarily publicly acknowledged. The military documents that have been leaked is what would worry me as those can cite CIs and others (and its a known fact that the insurgency checks the internet as much as anybody else). The State Dept stuff is watered down, glossed over info that is applied intel, and not necessarily raw intel-- and is the reason why its not as "nuclear."

I think WikiLeaks could've exercised a bit of editorial control in their leaks to save some lives. There are Afghans and Iraqis whose lives are in danger now for helping us.Releasing the info with their names and info redacted would've produced the same effect without putting a death sentence on their heads.

I think WikiLeaks could've exercised a bit of editorial control in their leaks to save some lives. There are Afghans and Iraqis whose lives are in danger now for helping us.Releasing the info with their names and info redacted would've produced the same effect without putting a death sentence on their heads.

 

Or the fact that cables released contain a list of sensitive sites, much like a shopping list of places to hit. That same list could also be used to derive which sites we don't consider sensitive and subsequently haven't been "hardened" against attack, i.e. a smorgasbord of low hanging fruit.

 

Assange is a narcissist who apparently is seeking the decline and fall of the USA. I just wish he'd hurry up and release some dirt on Putin. Those mobsters will shove some polonium up his bum and that'll be all she wrote for ole Julian.

 

Oh and his "Poison pill" that will get released upon his death? He does realize there are two competing camps. First, any and all known associates and family members that might hold a key could be swiftly dispatched and second, did he for a second really think this through? Did it ever occur to this a** clown that if his fellow a** clown from Iran could get more dirt out on the US and the western world in general by killing Assange, that he might go ahead and do it?

 

I'm all for transparency in government but no entity from a single human to a corporation to a behemoth government can survive without secrets.

I bet it won't be long before his Wiki is leaking in jail.

I think our government needs to do some housekeeping.

Interesting how powerful a handful of people can be.

The Army Private that released the info should be shot for treason. And anyone else who is involved that are US Military. As for the Swede, I am surprised he is still breathing. Even if we lacked the fortitude to do it, it would no be the first time a conract with the Mossad was done.

 

I agree with Mark, transarency yes, but there needs to be some secrets. Just the way it is.

The Army Private that released the info should be shot for treason. And anyone else who is involved that are US Military. As for the Swede, I am surprised he is still breathing. Even if we lacked the fortitude to do it, it would no be the first time a conract with the Mossad was done.

 

I agree with Mark, transarency yes, but there needs to be some secrets. Just the way it is.

 

Treason requires one witness I think... and there hasn't been a legit treason execution in quite some time.

Transparency applies to certain aspects of our government... notably those of domestic issues. I don't believe transparency applies to those having to deal with foreign agents/foreign nationals.

 

Trying to stay a sovereign nation, but then spill out our secrets in a world quickly mobilizing to become globalized just doesn't make sense... "can't have your cake, and eat it." I definitely have a skewed perspective on this, having dealt with the field most affected by leaks. With that said, I do agree against principle that there are secrets being withheld from the public that I don't necessarily agree should be... however, the vast majority (90-98%) of classified materials is classified for a legitimate reason.

As for the Swede

 

Just as a note, Julian Assange is Australian. He only rapes in Sweden.

Treason requires one witness I think... and there hasn't been a legit treason execution in quite some time.

The implication there being that there's been at least one "less than legit" treason execution?

The implication there being that there's been at least one "less than legit" treason execution?

 

I was talking something similar to a Rosenberg execution... nowadays, the way the legal system is, putting someone down for Treason is almost impossible.

 

There may be some 'light' treason here though...

Just as a note, Julian Assange is Australian. He only rapes in Sweden.

 

He didnt rape anyone. It seems to be a ploy to get him in touble in a country that extradites to the US

Just as a note, Julian Assange is Australian. He only rapes in Sweden.

Thanks for the clarification.

He didnt rape anyone.

 

Well, apparently barebacking in Sweden is! Who knew.

Well, apparently barebacking in Sweden is! Who knew.

 

Well I can't definitively say he didn't but from everything I have read it doesn't seem like he raped anyone. Yeah the whole condom thing is weird.

 

The more I read about this, the more it seems the guy is being railroaded.

 

 

Side note. This would prob make a good movie

If anything this guys is just your avg. whistle blower. Honestly, i think its shameful they were even able to obtain these documents, the only people who should be accountable for any of this is our own gov't. But they would never accept responsibility, one of the main reasons we have these secret documents to begin with. If you don't want the public to know what your doing then u better do a better job at hiding what ever it is your doing, if people find out, its failure on your part.

The Army Private that released the info should be shot for treason. And anyone else who is involved that are US Military. As for the Swede, I am surprised he is still breathing. Even if we lacked the fortitude to do it, it would no be the first time a conract with the Mossad was done.

 

I agree with Mark, transarency yes, but there needs to be some secrets. Just the way it is.

Question: What the hell is an Private in the army doing with sensitive secret documents?

If anything this guys is just your avg. whistle blower. Honestly, i think its shameful they were even able to obtain these documents, the only people who should be accountable for any of this is our own gov't. But they would never accept responsibility, one of the main reasons we have these secret documents to begin with. If you don't want the public to know what your doing then u better do a better job at hiding what ever it is your doing, if people find out, its failure on your part.

 

One thing to consider is that after 2001, a bunch of secrecy walls were brought down so that information sharing could take place to let people connect the dots. Documents that normally would have been kept at a local embassy level or other compartments were dumped onto Siprnet. Open communication is good for good guys and great for bad guys. There were certainly a ton of mistakes made and you can bet that people involved in security protocols have been having meetings for months now and enforcing or changing procedures and regulations.

There have been a good amount of steps taken to combat cyber-attacks, notably with the new command. And yes, even though the command itself is new, its been around forever-- so, its not like a 21st century thing.

 

As for the Private having access to sensitive documents, umm... well, its actually a very lengthy process that is normally "quick" when a person first enlists. The younger you are, the less background is effectively checked (because how much background does an 18y.o actually have). The process still involves more background checks then any of our FID/permit paperwork does; to include interviews with people that aren't necessarily recommended. Also, in most cases to work with certain info and on certain things, a person needs to take a poly. I can't say whether or not the Private took one, but when I first started out at where I was I had to take a poly before stepping foot in the building. I had also heard over the years I was in, commands were pushing for polys to be mandatory for everyone, and done before doing any type of work. Now, the type of poly is different, though those details aren't really important.

 

Still, that is no excuse, and I personally am astonished and offended that the case for treason against the currently imprisoned Private hasn't been made yet. I hope the only reason for delay is because the government is gathering the evidence needed to cement the case. There is a reason why there aren't stories of leaks within the military that often-- even "rare" not being a strong enough word (historically, most leaks have been by civilian-types). For me personally, being in the military is about the guy next to me, and making sure the objective(s) is achieved, but not at the cost of my buddy if at all possible. There is also a special bond amongst the M.I community, knowing that we're a privileged few (in the field I was in, there were far less of us then in USASOCOM). And that being a blue falcon was the worst possible thing, as our mistakes truly did translate to our brothers and sisters on the ground getting hurt or worse.

 

As for Assange, as I've said before, I don't care about him. I'm more concerned about his sources, and how our government is going to go about remedying the situation before something vital gets out.

He didnt rape anyone. It seems to be a ploy to get him in touble in a country that extradites to the US

 

he is in Briatain, they Extradite to the US. The charges are from Sweden, and go back to August. I HIGHLY doubt that sweden is going to charge this guy up JUST so we can extradite them. While the are an "Ally" they are not that close to us, even WITH Maobabma in the White house. Besides, except for "possessing Stoen Documents', he hadnt committed a crime under 18USC, not one that we would BOTHER to extradite. Assange is pretty safe from the US, however, i guess he got a little drunk on his "Power" and decided to play games with other folks who are NOT as kind as Us...he's already made statements that he has stuff on the russians...and Putin will have NO Qualms whatsoever with putting him in the ground..."Deadman Switch' or not. Assange has also managed to REALLY annoy some of the Arab states....you know, the people that Coined the term "Assassin"??? Ol Julian should have stuck to messing with US...We would have let him Live. Now he's just a dead man Walking until someone gets their mitts on him.

Question: What the hell is an Private in the army doing with sensitive secret documents?

 

SIPRNET practiced what was essentially Self-Compartmentalization. Everything got dumped into it, you are only SUPPOSD to download the pertinent material to your position..basically the Honor System. This little Sh*tbag used that to his advantage. the SCARY thing is that he really got caught ONLY because he bragged about it to a pretty well-known hacker, who he ASSumed would be sympathwetic to his act of Treason. Said Hacker let him go on (May have even taped him) then promptly called the FBI and turned the little scumbag in. Notice how this has "SUDDENLY" become not about HIS treasonous act, but about "DADT"??? His supporters are desperate because they KNOW he's screwed and are trying anything to keep his neck out of the noose.

I find this whole thing hilarious. For a long time, the Federal Government has been perceived as this awesome, impenetrable force. Keeping it's secrets because the politicians in charge think they know better... but now, the cracks are showing, and the facade is slowing being revealed.

 

For a long time, I felt that the Government of this nation was no longer "of the people, by the people, for the people"... Trust in this government is shot. It's going to take a lot of change before it is regained, if ever.

I'm all for government transparency but I don't think any of the cables released thus far really expose any improper government behavior.... these are not Watergate revelations, so far it's just been some diplomatic gossip and a potentially compromising list containing sites of national interest.

According to many on the news, Assange can be charged under the Espionage Act of 1917. They say his actions to hurt the country using this material fall within the Act.