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>Its just anti-American wankery. So what, that’s been wikileaks MO since day one. Assange has been very transparent about his intentions. Read his essay from

• whatshisface 9y ago
  Don't you realize that the institution that's being examined isn't necessarily on your side? Without oversight, how could they possibly be kept on the good side? Having gone so long without oversight, how far have they strayed? Assuming you weren't involved in any of this, ask yourself: did I authorize it? Did the legitimate authority of my civil peers (to which I am willing to cede) authorize it? Did my representatives authorize it? (Not everyone in congress is on these top-secret commitiees, it's entirely possible that some action could be taken that the voters of an entire state had essentially zero say in.) Finally, What would happen if a cleared individual decided to take an action without asking anybody or telling anybody? You know, like Snowden, except not conscience-driven to make sure we all heard about it. It's not like established systems have ever suppressed secrets that would make them look bad if widely known, right? Right?
  • ryanlol 9y ago
    >Don't you realize that the institution that's being examined isn't necessarily on your side? CIA or Wikileaks? CIA absolutely not, Wikileaks probably yes. >Without oversight, how could they possibly be kept on the good side? CIA is the foreign intelligence agency of a particularly murderous country, they can’t possibly be kept on the good side. Wikileaks seems to have oversight built in that they need to be trustworthy enough for people to leak to them. >Having gone so long without oversight, how far have they strayed? CIA has a long history of doing terrible things, I doubt they’ve strayed too far from that. >What would happen if a cleared individual decided to take an action without asking anybody or telling anybody? What would happen if the sun came up in the morning? Things would probably be the same they were yesterday.
    • whatshisface 9y ago
      I'd be careful with that kind of nihilistic attitude; note that it has the same effect as wholehearted support! (Which is, advocating that nothing different be done.)
      • ryanlol 9y ago
        Oh, but I advocate precisely what Wikileaks is doing. In the essay I linked Assange describes a rather effective approach to disrupting these organizations. Leaks such as this one will eventually lead to these organizations having to be so careful that they'll simply be unable to act.
        • whatshisface 9y ago
          I certainly understand how you could come to see this kind of stuff as anti-American, but that's really a misjudgment. I (or we?) stand in one of the many countries where this threat is developing, but one of the few countries where our predecessors have secured the liberties for us to do something about it. So in this sense, we are the custodians of ourselves: and any true American would tend to their government while discussing with their countrymen how they can do the same. (Hopefully that addresses your point, now that I see what you're really saying.)
          • lowry 9y ago
            Don't assume everyone on HN is American. Some are actually from openly hostile countries, so what? Can't we discuss these things freely on the internet as long as we don't hurt anyone?
            • programmarchy 9y ago
              > Can't we discuss these things freely on the internet as long as we don't hurt anyone? In most countries, sadly the answer is still no.
            • whatshisface 9y ago
  • Natsu 9y ago
    I'm having a hard time telling if you're talking about the various spy agencies, Wikileaks, or both.