What the "Wiki"!!

Over the past few weeks, there has been much debate and speculation on the significance surrounding Wikileaks. I have heard that this organization is endangering not only our national security, but potentially putting lives at risk. It has been suggested that those directly responsible for the leaking of this "sensitive" material be prosecuted under the Espionage Act and even, according to Mike Huckabee, executed. Who is really to blame here? Should the United States really place the blame solely on the shoulders of Assange? Is it Pfc. Bradley Manning who violated protocol in copying and disseminating these classified documents? While it may be easy to assign blame it is far more difficult to ascertain the true significance of this leak. Despite the fear-mongering, I would like to argue that these documents are truly helpful in aiding us in evaluating our government and better understanding the political climate we find ourselves. I think that these documents and cables cause more national embarrassment than a high-risk security threat. How many deaths have been reported due to the actions of Wikileakes? How many countries have openly disavowed further cooperative ties with the US over this issue? Has anyone declared war?

Everyday, we entrust diplomats and other government officials to represent not only our best interests, but those of the rest of the world. We count on these federal employees to be the face of the nation to others. Do we not have a right to know how the business that effects our standing in the world is really conducted? Do we not have a right to know what actions and methods our officials are engaged? The argument has been postulated that some business and discussions need to take place in secrecy and that in order for solutions to be found, it is essential that leaders be afforded strict confidence on certain matters. However true this may be, it is equally true that "classification" of materials happens at an alarming rate. ANYTHING is subject to classification these days. Any official who wants to be spared embarrassment or scrutiny can "classify" what they see fit. Many hear the term "classified" and immediately think that national security is involved. What they do not understand is how the process really works and the frequency of use. What is also implicit in the government's reaction to Wikileaks is its low view of its citizens. How dare the American people actually know the truth about what is going on!! What a tragedy that the American people are given information they can use to hold us more accountable!! Many in government talk about transparency and reaching out to the American public, EXCEPT when there is information that can embarrass them and only when it suites the political climate.

Another aspect of this case is how the American government is increasingly adopting and advocating censorship of information. No doubt the government has put pressure on Paypal, Visa, and Mastercard to stem the tide of support that Wikileakes receives. Speculation on labeling Wikileakes a terrorist organization have even surfaced. Interesting how anything we don't like we call "terrorist." For many years, the US has been severely critical of China's censoring of information of the Web citing that all have right to information made available via the Internet. Now, our own government seeks to shut down a site that it resents! How is that for hypocrisy? If we are truly serious about advocating and protecting freedoms that constitute our democracy, we should stand by those freedoms even when it is not convenient. Otherwise, we jeopardize what so many have fought and died for. Thank you Mr. Assange.