Live data from Hacker News

Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

techcrunch.com

41–50 of 132 posts

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#41
post #4

I'd be interested in Wikileaks providing a rundown on what they spend their money on. Every cent might be in the direct pursuit of free information but I worry that isn't the case.

On this page there is a video (a parody of MasterCard commercials) that serves as a rough list of what they spend their money on.

http://shop.wikileaks.org/donate

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's certainly ironic that they haven't released such information, considering their alleged function & goals.

It's not ironic, this was one of the points for me "writing them off". Wikileaks reponse to inquiry about their financial matters was basicaly "none of your business" and since then I see them as Assange's personal PR tool, nothing more, despite the claims.

Before jumping in quick judgement you guys should be aware that giving away such information will simply generate a lot of attack vectors by those who want to take down wikileaks.

I'm not even saying I agree or disagree with wikileaks itself, but heck, considering the amount of pressure they get from everywhere, giving away information about how they spend their money would be plain stupid and would take them down in a eyeblink. Just two cents.

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not ironic, this was one of the points for me "writing them off". Wikileaks reponse to inquiry about their financial matters was basicaly "none of your business" and since then I see them as Assange's personal PR tool, nothing more, despite the claims.

Before jumping in quick judgement you guys should be aware that giving away such information will simply generate a lot of attack vectors by those who want to take down wikileaks. I'm not even saying I agree or disagree with wikileaks itself, but heck, considering the amount of pressure they get from everywhere, giving away information about how they spend their money would be plain stupid and would take them down in…

"you guys should be aware that giving away such information will simply generate a lot of attack vectors by those who want to take down wikileaks"

Same as governments, then.

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not ironic, this was one of the points for me "writing them off". Wikileaks reponse to inquiry about their financial matters was basicaly "none of your business" and since then I see them as Assange's personal PR tool, nothing more, despite the claims.

So much for transparency.

^ strawman

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#45
post #32
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Castro, and Mandela" Mandela and Castro are murderers. Why are they even included on your list?

I see we have some extreme leftists in the house. Pol pot, mao, and stalin should be on your list too.

http://raganwald.posterous.com/hello-my-name-is-reginald-and...

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#46
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Castro, and Mandela" Mandela and Castro are murderers. Why are they even included on your list?

I think his point is not that everyone who goes to jail for political reasons is good, but that you can win politically despite facing/doing jail time.

Absolutely, and thank you. Although I don’t think it has anything to do with my point, I personally have extremely mixed feelings about Castro and about the choices Mandela made before his prison years.

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#47
post #37

Can someone explain why diplomatic cables should be free and open?

They shouldn't. Everyone seems to be ignoring that, so you get my upvote.

We should be aware that wikileaks actions are indeed crimes. That said, some cables put it crystal clear, some politicians are really corrupt and are using their privileged position to their own advantage.

Do the goals justify the means?

Re: Wikileaks Is Running Out Of Cash

#50
post #37

Can someone explain why diplomatic cables should be free and open?

One thought would be that the federal government shouldn't be able to own copyright to things, so once these are accessed, they don't have any intellectual property reasoning to not distribute them. In my mind, what the government owns is owned by all, and what the government knows should be known by all, because when the government speaks (in these cables) it speaks for us all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_status_of_work_by_the...

Additionally, I feel that in general you shouldn't say something that you can't bear being repeated by others. Every child learns this. Yet, the government feels they can wheel and deal, and talk about other countries behind the backs of others and feel that the knowledge will never come out.

Post reply on HN