I’m sitting in the airport, waiting for my plane back home. This is my 11th day travelling in three weeks. I’m tired of it.
I just read the latest news about the Wikileaks case.
According to the newspaper, the leaks are embarrassing for the American government, because of the way they have described leaders of other countries. Putin is the alpha-dog (which probably just flattered him), Berlusconi is the corrupt criminal (it’s true anyway). For the American government, this is easy to get away with. It was internal communication, not intended for publication. As easy as that. Every organisation in the world is doing the same, internal mails and memos, analyses of partners and competitors, confidential reports to the boss. For your eyes only. But all organizations have unfaith employees.
What is serious for the American government is that the leaks reveal their plans and strategies, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the world economy. The Wikileaks founder is arrested, on a rape charge. It smells like conspiracy. Get something on him, get him jailed, get rid of him. The American and European governments are pissed of course. Openness is good, but only when they can control the information that is leaked.
According to the newspaper, PayPal has blocked all money transfers to Wikileaks. But donations to the Ku Klux Klan are accepted. It’s a crazy world.
The good news: Ive written 1000 words for my so-called novel today, some really hot stuff. I hope it’s not on Wikileaks tomorrow >:D
The U.S. got hit this time. Next it'll be another government, probably Sweden for arresting him on rape charges. No country and no person is safe from cyber attacks.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the writing! Sounds like you better watch your back in case Assange's minions are after your text. :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I've enjoyed keeping up with this story on the news. It has all the elements of a political thriller... :)
Helen: Organized cyber attacks apparently happen every day. The WikiLeaks server has been down (hacked by CIA), the Nobel Committee's website has been atacked from China, and today a 16 yo boy in the Netherlands brought the computer systems of VISA and MasterCard to breakdown (they refuse transactions to WikiLeaks).
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: Yes, I agree. The WikiLeaks case is like a political thriller, with good guys and bad guys and hidden agendas. It's the dynamics of democratic systems, the authorities' wish to hide and the press' wish to reveal.
Sometimes history shows that some leaks are good for the democratic system, like the Waetergate case, with Deep Throat, when Nixon had to leave office.
And all governments, including western democracies, leak selectively when it will gain their own case.
Having spent time in countries where they have no freedom of speech, and massive internet censorship, the 'democratic' governments reactions are of real concern, particularly given the appalling comments by some high profile politicians.
ReplyDeleteWhat WL has done may be ill-conceived etc, but the potential for foolish politicians to mainipulate this for their own ends is scary.
Traveling sucks.
ReplyDeleteGood job on the word count - hope it's not on Wikileaks tomorrow, either.
I find all this fascinating--I also like it as a political thriller--the tight spots and gray areas on what is moral and what isn't... nuts.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, VERY good job on the writing!
Yeay on your progress! Hope you get time to settle in and not have to travel for a while!
ReplyDeleteI kinda see the whole wikileaks thing as like someone stole America's diary. Someone is definitely going to get a purple-nurple over this one.
It's hot here in Sydney so it's good you didn't share your hot stuff with us. Or I will combust.
ReplyDeleteFire and Cross
This whole thing is crazy. Did you hear about the hacker group anonymous trying to shut down Amazon.com because of this? Apparently their DDosD (or whatever it's called) attack wouldn't work because Amazon has too many servers. Crazy.
ReplyDeletesue: Good points, I agree. In general I think as much as possible should be open, to prevent misuse of power and corruption.
ReplyDeleteAlex: Thanks. Day-trip travelling really sucks, getting up early and coming home late. Week trips to cool places can be fun.
Hart: Thanks. There are definitely gray areas in the WL case. An interesting question is the moral of WL versus the moral of the people behind some of the cases being published
Colene: Thanks. I go for another 1000 words tonight, when little boy is in bed >:)
Enid: That's why I didn't post my hot stuff. I thought it would be too hot for you >;)
Matthew: Yes, I heard about the attacks on Amazon, and on MasterCard and VISA. It's almost like an electronic war going on