There are things that must remain secret. No matter what it is. As a former US Marine and a combat veteran of Iraq, it pisses me off that names of Iraqi and Afghani interpreters were released. Most of you will think that they are still Iraqis and Afghanis, but for those of us that served and worked with them on a daily basis have a profound respect for them. They became interpreters because they wanted a front row seat to change and they did so knowing that everyday their lives would be put at risk and if the enemy ever found out who they where (we never knew their real names), they or their families could be killed. We busted our asses trying to get these brave individuals asylum into our country. I now worry if my friends are still alive.

I don't think the two parties could nor will work together on this matter. I'm thinking Julian Assange is our number one enemy at this time. Interesting.

HOD, you are not the first person I have heard or read mention Nazi germany as a comparison to where things might go here in the US (or any country) if 1) the economy stays bad and 2) out of frustration and confusion, we all buy into whatever the government tells us in terms of who or what the 'threats' are. I don't necessarily believe it will turn out that way, but I also smell bullshit when the government gets egg on their face and immediately trots out the patriotism bait. Come on, everybody, where's your American spirit? Can't you see who the 'bad guys' are?

Let's smoke Wikileaks out!

Last night, I'm riding with one of my roommates, and the conservative talk radio host (yes, he listens to that all the time) was outraged that a Time Magazine reporter commented that the safety of America and its citizens is not the primary concern of journalists. Now, who knows how out of context that statement was taken, and I agree it's an ugly thing to just come out and say. But, I can't disagree with that comment. Journalists should search and publish truth. It's up to those who are tasked with secrecy to keep their information secret. Journalists aren't beholden to anything or anybody other than Truth. Otherwise, they are biased, which is fine...but if that's the case, don't pretend to hide who your agenda benefits.

Government employees should protect America, not the press. To ask the press to do it, is to ask them to carry water for some political issue or another, which short-circuits the entire concept of free press and journalistic integrity.

i've heard this thing time and again from americans this or that person is our number one enemy, he or she should have this or that done to them. this kind of thing is utter madness, freedom of the press, freedom of association and freedom of expression are, correct me if im wrong, all part and parcel of the US constitution. now if this isnt particularly conviniant for the current administration then im afraid thats too fuckin bad, this is the start of a slippery slope which leads to autocratic or a dictatorial take over. i know that sounds a bit drastic but if the laws and rights of the people are changed as and how the government feels then america is no better than a bannana republic where there is no recorse to the law, there is no trial by jury, and where the army is the power behind the throne. this is what awaits at the bottom of the slope, and yes i can hear all and sundry shouting "it wont happen here!", if you think that then you should take a closer look at what happend in germany from 1929-1934 how a democracy went to facisim in 5 years. if you'd like a more recent example then look at the few years after 11th of september attacks, there was all manner of laws passed in a blind panic which were unconstitutional and yet they still stand today. i digress, my point being be carefull who you say should be your enemy, you may find that it could be you thats in the spotlight before long.

I'm talking politics -Assange is not my enemy yet -I'll put my personal opinion out there when I learn more about the man and his motives.

Do you feel the same if it read -

Freedom of speech is one thing, but when it affects the life and breath of another living human being, then it becomes a crime. To me there is no "gray zone" on this.

Just wondering why (in some people's opinion -not necessarily you Doll ) it's alright in the name of free speech and in the name of many other things to cause death but not OK in the name of religion?

It seems what one man might believe in, example- the U.S. constitution and what another might believe in, example- there must be secrets in government to compete and while at war it's dirty business and what these people may believe in, example- they must live and die naturally -is still just that, personal BELIEF.

One is wrong and one is right?



It's not OK to let your child die for the good of the mass/religion and it's not OK to let innocents die for someone else's freedom of speech and it's not OK to fight war to achieve power!

If beliefs are harbored by people who are safe at home and alive while their actions cause death, I don't believe as they do. And if by chance, they're not safe at home but are in jail or maybe dead, I give credit if they except that they caused harm and must pay for it despite their belief. I can believe in this!

Life is tough and I don't see how belief can be black and white because everyone's belief is personal!

Believe what you believe, but take responsibility for the results of your beliefs. It's as simple as that for me.

You all might do better to just not listen to me because I see the universe as a whole entity and probably couldn't explain that if I wanted to. It suffices to say that I believe in belief.

note- Dear Dancing_Doll, gonna post this in the Wikileaks thread

It's been known for years that the George W. Bush administration packed the White House briefings with journalists that weren't really journalists, but instead were hired to ask just the right questions at just the right times. They also enforced strict censorship policies regarding what kind of news stories and photos could be published, and what kind faced governmental restrictions. It's no secret that the Obama has been waging war against Fox News, in their own bid to control the press. None of this will end until the American people have their fill of bread and circuses, and demand honesty from their politicians. In other words... never.

If those names were that damned important, then they should never have been typed up on any documentation that could've been scanned or stolen. They should absolutely never have been stored on electronic medium or compact disc, tape or computer, and they sure as hell should not have been anywhere near the internet.

Pretty damned amateurish handling of this documentation by those who created it. Then add to this that the State Department acted as haughty as they did and refused to review the material prior to its being released.

Rock on Assange.

I eagerly await your expose on that American Banking concern (I've heard it is Bank of America!)

You sir, have no clue what you are talking about. Assange didn't hack into a government computer and steal the information. A dumb ass private in the US Army working in intelligence handed the cables over to Assage for whatever personal reason he conjured up in his imagination. The said "dumb ass private" is now sitting in the brig awaiting trial (a well deserved one at that). But you missed my point clearly. I said that there are certain things that must remain secret. In the age of technology, where else was the US government going to store that information?

Would you put it in broad terms so that I may understand. Hope this is not to much to ask.

This guy is going down. He fucked with to many in higher places.