Julian Assange - Still a Class-A prick

[mistermack]

What an uneducated assumption, that everyone at risk is a murderer.

The country shares the guilt when it's armed forces commit atrocities. It's right that they share the risk.
.

[Trolldor]

And the fool makes presumptions.

[mistermack]

And the fool makes presumptions.

Let me know when you're finished.

[Coito ergo sum]

Iraq Through Night-Vision Goggles http://www.slate.com/id/2272246/
As we digest the WikiLeaks revelations, a new book offers the soldiers' perspective.

[Ian]

Ah, Julian Assange.

I'm sure he feels his intentions are noble and that he's doing the world a service by proclaiming himself a "whistleblower". All information should be free and all that. He's got a fascinating ideology behind his ego. And he's got the honor of being The Only Human Being On Planet Earth That Ian Would Personally Like To Kill With His Bare Hands. That includes the like of bin Laden et al. Whenever I see Assange's face, I have the urge to dig my hands into his neck so hard it spews blood before I crush his throat.

What he's attempted to do with respect to Iraq and Afghanistan, regardless of the potential collateral damage, are almost footnotes to the reasons why. He probably doesn't even have the capacity to see the sheer level of damage he could do (or has done) to the integrity of international diplomacy, nevermind the integrity of intelligence collection, for the US and for anyone else in the world. Sure, the US tends to overclassify too much information, but making the polar opposite possible and public is shockingly dangerous. That's not a layman's opinion, either. Who's going to want to deal in confidence with anyone else, on any subject, if they're worried that some 22-yr old junior-enlisted Army soldier suffering from an ego crisis is going to take that confidential information and forward it right on to Wikileaks (as was the case with Assange's treasure trove of "whistleblower" information)? Damn near nobody, that's who. Assange is naive to the point of childish with his understanding of the necessity of confidentiality.

[eXcommunicate]

I really don't care if Assange kicks puppies or microwaves babies. It makes no difference to his work.

He probably doesn't even have the capacity to see the sheer level of damage he could do (or has done) to the integrity of international diplomacy, nevermind the integrity of intelligence collection, for the US and for anyone else in the world.

Are you for fucking real? The U.S. and its allies did the damage, not Assange. People seem to have a big fat case of blame the messenger.

[Trolldor]

It makes a humongous difference to his work.

I no more want a self-important egotists in charge of the distribution of free information than I want in any position of power or authority.

[eXcommunicate]

That really makes no sense.

[Trolldor]

Makes perfect sense to anyone who looks past their own ridiculous political bullshit.

[Ian]

I really don't care if Assange kicks puppies or microwaves babies. It makes no difference to his work.

He probably doesn't even have the capacity to see the sheer level of damage he could do (or has done) to the integrity of international diplomacy, nevermind the integrity of intelligence collection, for the US and for anyone else in the world.

Are you for fucking real? The U.S. and its allies did the damage, not Assange. People seem to have a big fat case of blame the messenger.

I am 100% for real. My criticism of Assange has nothing to do with defending the Iraq War or Afghanistan. He's not merely a "messenger".

[mistermack]

I can see nothing but good about these leaks. The guilty secrets are out, the sanctimonious liars exposed, and in their future murder sprees, the american military might think twice.
If a few get fucked up in the process, that'a a bonus.
.

[Mr P]

Interesting article about Mr Assange here.

It may seem a little flippant at first, comparing him to Gaius Baltar, but it gives an interesting insight.

[JimC]

I can see nothing but good about these leaks. The guilty secrets are out, the sanctimonious liars exposed, and in their future murder sprees, the american military might think twice.
If a few get fucked up in the process, that'a a bonus.
.

That is far too flippant and excessive. Whatever long-term benefits may ensue, I hope that minimal damage to real human beings is caused; it is one of the aspects which worries and conflicts me over the whole enterprise...

[Trolldor]

mistermack doesn't care how many people suffer or die for his own political agenda.
He's a generous soul like that.

[mistermack]

That is far too flippant and excessive. Whatever long-term benefits may ensue, I hope that minimal damage to real human beings is caused; it is one of the aspects which worries and conflicts me over the whole enterprise...

This murder and torture by the US will just continue if it isnt made public, or if their own people don't pay a price.
A lot of these incidents have happened AFTER the first torture revelations, when they made all sorts of promises that nothing like it would ever happen again.
So if NOTHING was made public, I'm afraid that your hopes of minimal damage might be realised, FOR the US, but there would continue to be plenty of damage done BY the US.
I'm sure it won't stop even now. You will just get a fresh round of assurances.
The only thing that changes US policy is US bodybags.
So I'm perfectly happy to see more of that. Serves the fuckers right.
.