15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

wikileak attacked - "unprotected by law"

by Kay King
12 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
In the ongoing fight about release of leaked docs, the Pentagon spokesman says "we are making a demand, asking them to do the right thing" - "hope they will comply with our demands" - or "we will compel them to do the right thing".

Got to wonder where the truth is as some experts who have viewed the docs say there are no secrets released...and others say there were secrets released.

This could be the first test of govt power over a privately owned website. Will be interesting....

(I'm not expressing an opinion on right or wrong as I don't know enough about it to do so - but I find the back and forth of the process interesting).

kay
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

    In the ongoing fight about release of leaked docs, the Pentagon spokesman says "we are making a demand, asking them to do the right thing" - "hope they will comply with our demands" - or "we will compel them to do the right thing".

    Got to wonder where the truth is as some experts who have viewed the docs say there are no secrets released...and others say there were secrets released.

    This could be the first test of govt power over a privately owned website. Will be interesting....

    (I'm not expressing an opinion on right or wrong as I don't know enough about it to do so - but I find the back and forth of the process interesting).

    kay
    THEY ALL admit there are secrets. Listen to them carefully. The documents NAME NAMES, PLACES, and document protocols. You NEVER want to do that with informants, etc...

    And this isn't about govt vs. private. HECK, what about the people in the newspapers that revealed stings with FBI agents names? Don't the agents/informers have a right to LIVE IN PEACE!?!?!?

    When the opponents speak about secrets, they view it as about secret operations, and overall methods, and apparently these DON'T reveal new things there, they IGNORE the other stuff because THAT would make them look heartless or even like traitors! But the documents DO review details that *****EVERYONE***** has admitted are there. THAT IS afterall what wikiLEAKs is LEAKing!

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2434169].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I haven't looked at the documents - and don't intend to. I did listen to an interview with a military person (can't remember who) who had looked/listed/read - whatever - quite a bit of it the end of last week. So far, he had not found anything that released names or endangered anyone.

      That may have changed when he saw more of it.

      What is clear from reports on the documents is some are embarrassing.

      Don't know if the military fellow named is the one who "leaked" - but someone will take a big fall for this.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Live life like someone left the gate open
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435646].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lawrh
    This has been in the news since July 30, some here might not know about it. There is a mysterious encrypted file on the site named "insurance". Harm them and they release the key. Lots of speculation about the contents. Here's Bruce Schneier's report -

    Schneier on Security: WikiLeaks Insurance File

    Wired

    http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...nsurance-file/
    Signature

    “Strategy without action is a day-dream; action without strategy is a nightmare.” – Old Japanese proverb -

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435798].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Lawrh View Post

      This has been in the news since July 30, some here might not know about it. There is a mysterious encrypted file on the site named "insurance". Harm them and they release the key. Lots of speculation about the contents. Here's Bruce Schneier's report -

      Schneier on Security: WikiLeaks Insurance File

      Wired

      WikiLeaks Posts Mysterious ‘Insurance’ File | Threat Level | Wired.com
      DUMB MOVE! They are potentially threatening the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! They are relying on MAD! If the US decides to leave them be, which would be STUPID at this point, ok, MAYBE they succeeded.

      If the US calls their bluff, they they can IMMEDIATELY be charged with EXTORTION, and potentially the release of the information EVEN if the key is NEVER disclosed.

      If the info is found to be dangerous, they can be charged with THAT also! Their "insurance" could backfire BIG TIME!

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435850].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Whoa, Lawrence, I read the wired article. That's pretty serious stuff
    going on. A high stakes game of chicken.

    I can see a familiar tactic being used by certain entities. But I must
    say I admire the stance of refusing to be pushed around or threatened.

    Ken
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435833].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    I'd reckon theys some people in certain places who are sweating
    bullets over this one. More like embarrassment and CLM exposure.
    CLM = career limiting moves for those who are commonly called
    'officials.'

    Who knows, Steve. We'll never know the truth in things like this.
    Unless you believe what flows out of the beltway and the mainstream
    mediazoo.

    Ken
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435917].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      This has been in the news since July 30
      I know that - but the remarks today were from a Pentagon person which gave more weight to how it is going to be "viewed" than we've had previously.

      There were rants originally but then some backstepping - and now it seems the position has been chosen.

      kay
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Live life like someone left the gate open
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435952].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    Since the wikileaks stuff is hosted on a network of servers in Sweden, Iceland (where they are protected by local laws) and a host of other countires, just what is the US going to do?

    Invade all of them?
    Signature
    Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?
    So that blind people can hate them as well.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2435954].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      Since the wikileaks stuff is hosted on a network of servers in Sweden, Iceland (where they are protected by local laws) and a host of other countires, just what is the US going to do?

      Invade all of them?
      Well, The US COULD potentially have him extradicted and tried! They COULD disable the domain name! They COULD annoy some MAJOR US contributers, perhaps an audit or criminal charge? They COULD threaten the hosting company with the inability to access the US. They COULD bring accessories to court. How is THAT for starters!?!?!? NOPE, the US isn't going to invade Sweden or iceland. WHY would they do that. But they don't have to. Wikileaks could have a lot of its legal, financial, and network support pulled really quickly.

      steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2436009].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Lawrh
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        Well, The US COULD potentially have him extradicted and tried! They COULD disable the domain name! They COULD annoy some MAJOR US contributers, perhaps an audit or criminal charge? They COULD threaten the hosting company with the inability to access the US. They COULD bring accessories to court. How is THAT for starters!?!?!? NOPE, the US isn't going to invade Sweden or iceland. WHY would they do that. But they don't have to. Wikileaks could have a lot of its legal, financial, and network support pulled really quickly.

        steve
        You have a vivid imagination. The US can't even bring down The Pirate Bay.
        Signature

        “Strategy without action is a day-dream; action without strategy is a nightmare.” – Old Japanese proverb -

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2436157].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by Lawrh View Post

          You have a vivid imagination. The US can't even bring down The Pirate Bay.
          They COULD do that though. I could do it myself if people would comply. It is like tracking down a system. A person ALONE is lucky if they could track to the general area via IP. The police can subpoena records, and track it down through the path. If it ends up at a dialup ISP you or I would be LOST! THEY could merely subpoena the records from that ISP and find out where the call came from and THEN find out who was in the room at a hotel that the call was from.

          Steve
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2436898].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Orator
    Wikileaks has an agenda, just like most governments and corporations. The release of the so-called "Afghan War Diaries" that give detailed information about Afghani informants sort of ruins their creditability.

    The life of every informant in those documents is put at risk so the owner of wikileaks can earn some press time. Now while the United States of course won't invade Iceland to get them to shut down their servers, there is plenty that can be done.

    -Trade Sanctions
    -Pressure via NATO
    -Prosecution of the sites owner (Something he would most likely revel in)

    Worst comes worse, I'm sure the United States has some decent hackers in their employment.

    There is plenty that can be done, the question remains just what the president is prepared to do.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2436569].message }}

Trending Topics