WikiLeaks

[Griff]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You think we should give these states more information about our intelligence or access to our diplomatic cables?

The threat of exposed cables is problematic but could lead to rhetoric matching action in international relations allowing the US to lead by example instead of despite example. Had WikiLeaks been in place back in the yellowcake time-frame we could have avoided supplying manpower to AQ for the last several years. What to do with Saddam would continue to be an issue but we would have had to deal with it honestly and openly.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Griff

The threat of exposed cables is problematic but could lead to rhetoric matching action in international relations allowing the US to lead by example instead of despite example. Had WikiLeaks been in place back in the yellowcake time-frame we could have avoided supplying manpower to AQ for the last several years. What to do with Saddam would continue to be an issue but we would have had to deal with it honestly and openly.

I see "honestly and openly" as differing categories of diplomatic national policy. You can deal with nations honestly but you don't need to share every single bit of information with them to do it. There is a lot of information that people just don't need to know IMHO.

[tw]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I see "honestly and openly" as differing categories of diplomatic national policy. You can deal with nations honestly but you don't need to share every single bit of information with them to do it. There is a lot of information that people just don't need to know IMHO.

Meanwhile, the US would "openly and honestly" share information with all East European nations after each meeting with the USSR. The Russians never bothered to tell their 'allies' what happened. After all, those East European nations did not need to know. Your same logic.

Therefore the US built major trust with every East European nation. It even made ending the cold war so much easier. And why relations between those nations and the US are stronger today.

Wikileaks has simply changed the dynamics. For all that damage, it has also created new honest and open relationships. No more decisions based upon second guessing. As for things they do not need to know, even Wikileaks redacted that stuff. Wikileaks is not the disaster some would promote. They did not leak the sensitive stuff.

BTW, some Americans have become popular with their foreign governments. How those cables were written has also entertained their foreign peers. Created a new respect.

[W.HI.P]

The #1 enemy of the American people, is their own government.
Whether the closed minded, ignorant, proud American's are aware of this yet, or not.

[W.HI.P]

Originally Posted by W.HI.P

The #1 enemy of the American people, is their own government.
Whether the closed minded, ignorant, proud American's are aware of this yet, or not.

Wikileaks was not required for an observer to be aware of this fact.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by W.HI.P

The #1 enemy of the American people, is their own government.
Whether the closed minded, ignorant, proud American's are aware of this yet, or not.

Right, almost as bad as Pompous Canadians.

[W.HI.P]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Right, almost as bad as Pompous Canadians.

As I said before, I hold no ego to hurt, no pride in race, country or species.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Right, above mere earthlings.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Griff

The threat of exposed cables is problematic but could lead to rhetoric matching action in international relations allowing the US to lead by example instead of despite example. Had WikiLeaks been in place back in the yellowcake time-frame we could have avoided supplying manpower to AQ for the last several years. What to do with Saddam would continue to be an issue but we would have had to deal with it honestly and openly.

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Griff

Had WikiLeaks been in place back in the yellowcake time-frame we could have avoided supplying manpower to AQ for the last several years.

Wikileaks is covering cables as old as 1979, so...

Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): "Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
Holmes: "To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
Gregory: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Holmes: "That was the curious incident."