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Title: Americans Better Off Because of WikiLeaks
Source:
Dissenting Opinions
URL Source: http://jwpegler.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... ans-better-off-because-of.html
Published: Dec 2, 2010
Author: Eric Blankenburg
Post Date: 2010-12-02 18:45:19 by jwpegler
Keywords: None
Views: 8087
Comments: 17
By now, most Americans know that WikiLeaks has published a bunch of private documents from the U.S. State Department regarding U.S. foreign policy. WikiLeaks is a website run by Julian Assange. The documents were given to WikiLeaks by an Army Private, who is now in jail. Both the left and right are outraged over the affair. Over the last few days almost everyone on Fox News and MSNBC have been screaming for Julian Assange's head. Some are calling for the U.S. government to arrest Julian Assange for espionage. Others have called for more drastic measures, including declaring WikiLeaks a "terrorist organization" and even assassinating Assange. While the left and right are sitting together around the nationalist campfire singing Kumbaya, Justice Andrew Napolitano (Fox Business) is pointing out some very interesting facts. Napolitano correctly points out that this is a free speech issue, which is protected by the First Amendment. He also correctly notes that the Supreme has uniformly ruled that if the information is of public interest, then the public has a right to it. It is certainly in the public interest to know that a Vice President of Afghanistan spirited $52 million of American foreign aid out of the country; that our "ally" Saudi Arabia is both funding al Queda and pressuring us to bomb Iran; and that Hillary Clinton has ordered her staff to dig up dirt on foreign leaders, probably for the purposes of extorting them in the future. We the people need transparency to remain in control. No, we don't need the nuclear launch codes, but we need to understand what our government is doing in our name around world. Now we now. It's not pretty. Oh, but this is a national security threat and people will die as a result. What about that? WikiLeaks went to great extents, working with the Guardian and New York Times, to redact (censor) the articles to remove names of innocent people who might be harmed by the release of the documents. Over 300 names were removed. They even asked for help from the State Department, who declined to help them. If anyone is actually killed because of this, who is really to blame? Yes the Private First Class who leaked the documents is in deep trouble. He should be in deep trouble because he signed a contract agreeing to obey his orders. He didn't. Now he has to suffer the consequences. However, WikiLeaks is a media organization that has every right to publish news that is in the public interest. Their efforts have enabled Americans to better understand what the politicians are doing in our names around the world. We are more informed and therefore better off because of it. A huge problem is the U.S. government classifies too many things. So, it becomes difficult to understand what the real secrets are and how protect them. Libertarians, liberals, and many conservatives understand this. It's been discussed for years. Almost all politicians pay lip service to "transparency" during their campaigns. Unfortunately, almost NO politicians do anything about it once they are in office. WikiLeaks did something about it because our politicians wouldn't. Americans are better off as a result.
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#1. To: jwpegler (#0)
How?
Do you really think they're going to let you in the life-boat when the shit hits the fan?
And the sheep will bleat their submission, Burma Shave.
I Captain a lifeboat, organ grinder.
Horseshit. They will not take you in the lifeboat. You're a tool yukon, nothing more. There's no room for you at the Inn.
And the sheep will bleat their submission, Burma Shave.
If a horse doesn't, it will die.
There are worse things than death.
And the sheep will bleat their submission, Burma Shave.
Being in your presence?
You've got full control of that. It's not difficult to find your way out.
And the sheep will bleat their submission, Burma Shave.
Just like I do being Captain of the lifeboat.
Ya gotta do, what ya gotta do ........ for now.
And the sheep will bleat their submission, Burma Shave.
Wrong. Its a theft issue, and a receiving stolen property issue.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Not according to the Supreme Court.
We'll see.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
The Court has already ruled on the exact same type of case regarding the pentagon papers. Nixon claimed he had the authority to prevent the New York Times from publishing classified documents. Nixon sited the espionage act to make his case, just like people are doing today. Two lower courts disagreed, and so did the Supreme Court.
I know the case. That doesn't mean this one will play out the same way, nor does it mean the USSC will rule the same way. Personally, I don't accept the comparision between the two cases. Ellsberg wasn't trying to harm the nation, and was an American Citizen with 'standing'. Assange? He's just a punk with a website, and George Soros's money backing him up.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
They New York Times was just a bunch a punks with a printing press. The new journalism is on the web. Newspapers are dying. There is no justification whatsoever in treating web journalists any different than print journalists. If government thugs manage to convince the court to make a distinction, then god help this country because the First Amendment will die with the newspaper business.
The new journalism is on the web. Newspapers are dying. The NYT is STILL a bunch of punks with a printing press.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Americans are better off as a result.
#2. To: Ibluafartsky (#1)
Seeing the others as fools,
Not knowing nor even caring,
They've become no more than tools.
#3. To: Wood_Chopper (#2)
Do you really think they're going to let you in the life-boat
#4. To: Ibluafartsky (#3)
(Edited)
I Captain a lifeboat, organ grinder.
Seeing the others as fools,
Not knowing nor even caring,
They've become no more than tools.
#5. To: Wood_Chopper (#4)
Horseshit.
#6. To: Ibluafartsky (#5)
If a horse doesn't, it will die.
Seeing the others as fools,
Not knowing nor even caring,
They've become no more than tools.
#7. To: Wood_Chopper (#6)
There are worse things than death.
#8. To: Ibluafartsky (#7)
Being in your presence?
Seeing the others as fools,
Not knowing nor even caring,
They've become no more than tools.
#9. To: Wood_Chopper (#8)
You've got full control of that.
#10. To: Ibluafartsky (#9)
Just like I do being Captain of the lifeboat.
Seeing the others as fools,
Not knowing nor even caring,
They've become no more than tools.
#11. To: jwpegler (#0)
Napolitano correctly points out that this is a free speech issue
#12. To: Badeye (#11)
and a receiving stolen property issue.
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#13. To: jwpegler (#12)
#14. To: Badeye (#13)
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#15. To: jwpegler (#14)
The Court has already ruled on the exact same type of case regarding the pentagon papers.
#16. To: Badeye (#15)
punk with a website
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#17. To: jwpegler (#16)
They New York Times was just a bunch a punks with a printing press.
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