Live data from Hacker News

WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

nytimes.com

51–60 of 266 posts

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#51
I find this interesting, but we would also need such leaks from other countries embassies, not just U.S. ones.

This will probably create embarrassment for U.S., but on the other hand, isn't it a job of a diplomat to truthfully describe the situation in the country where he is dispatched? In most cases, they probably just did their job, assuming that the documents will stay secret. I don't think that's immoral.

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#52
post #26
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, you have it backwards. They're talking about Gitmo detainees who they'd like to release; but can't due to problems in their home countries. For example: there are (were?) a dozen Chinese Uighur muslims who were languishing in Gitmo, having been caught in the dragnet by mistake. They are Chinese citizens, so if they were to be released, they'd go back to China where the authorities would most likely execute them (…

I think the issue with the Chinese is not that the Chinese would lock them away for life (big deal) but that the Chinese were refusing to take them at all.

Why can't the US take them?

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#53
post #51

I find this interesting, but we would also need such leaks from other countries embassies, not just U.S. ones. This will probably create embarrassment for U.S., but on the other hand, isn't it a job of a diplomat to truthfully describe the situation in the country where he is dispatched? In most cases, they probably just did their job, assuming that the documents will stay secret. I don't think that's immoral.

Violating UN conventions by spying on, and attempting to steal credit card #s and biometric info of, UN leaders (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cable...) and attempting to steal DNA of world leaders (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/...) would be considered, by most, to be immoral.

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#55
post #27
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Assange made them available to the Guardian and four other newspapers: the New York Times, Der Spiegel in Germany, Le Monde in France and El País in Spain. All five plan to publish extracts from the most significant cables, but have decided neither to "dump" the entire dataset into the public domain, nor to publish names that would endanger innocent individuals. WikiLeaks says that, contrary to the state department'…

I wish Wikileaks would just dump the contents, and leave the analysis to the rest of the world. By doing selective "analysis" and redaction, they're basically doing exactly what they claim to be fighting. Either release all the information, or withhold it. Don't play sides. Oh, and while you're at it, Wikileaks? I'd love to see leaks from Russia, China, UK, Japan etc. You've been picking on the US for far too long; t…

what we need here is more internet: http://wikileaks.org/media/about.html and search for "Japan".

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#56
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the issue with the Chinese is not that the Chinese would lock them away for life (big deal) but that the Chinese were refusing to take them at all.

Why can't the US take them?

As far as I can tell, primarily because of right-wing hysteria about what the terrorist mischief they would notionally perpetrate if set up for a quiet life in Podunk, USA.

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#57
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the issue with the Chinese is not that the Chinese would lock them away for life (big deal) but that the Chinese were refusing to take them at all.

Why can't the US take them?

Because congress is afraid that they will break out of prison and kill people.

The ones that are getting released probably don't want to come to the States anyway on account of lynch mobs.

On a side note, I was clearly mistaken and this includes the one we tried to get Slovenia to take. After the full-body scanners and COICA I'm getting a little on edge about my support of Obama.

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#59
post #10

Earlier WikiLeaks releases seemed to expose atrocities and human rights abuses by the US military and government, which represents at least a partial justification. What end does this release serve?

Exposure of corruption within our allies. I found things like Afghanistan’s vice president being caught (and released) in the UAE carrying $52 million in cash to be quite interesting. Also the part about Saudi donors are still the driving force in financing terrorism.

the US and Britian have turned a blind eye to the opium trade and the associated corruption in Afghanistan in order to appease the local anti-Taliban population.

I watched footage last week of British soldiers fighting to free large opium fields from Taliban control so that the real owners can get back to farming. All par for the course.

The war on drugs takes a back seat to the war on terrorism

Re: WikiLeaks Archive — Cables Uncloak U.S. Diplomacy

#60
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the issue with the Chinese is not that the Chinese would lock them away for life (big deal) but that the Chinese were refusing to take them at all.

Why can't the US take them?

because then they would have the right to a trial

there is a reason Gitmo was established

Post reply on HN