Another Wikileaks release

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by T@T

One would think they would try something new.

It could be true, of course, but you can't help but raise an eyebrow at the timing of these entire allegations.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

It could be true, of course, but you can't help but raise an eyebrow at the timing of these entire allegations.

This is what? the 3rd time trying the same thing?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Although I'm not sure I trust Wikileaks intentions, I hope the next leak exposes Goldman Sachs fraud....

That was the biggest joke ever. And we thought Colin Campbell sucked. Should have been guaranteed jail time and they get off with a fine.

Too bad. Looks like the major bank wikileaks is targetting is Bank of America and not Goldman.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by T@T

One would think they would try something new.

I suspect he's been advised not to take slow rides in convertibles...

[Azure]

I think there is a role for an organization like Wikileaks to expose fraud, corruption, civilian killings, etc, etc.

But what percentage of the released documents point that out? At some point you have to sit down and actually pass stuff back to the government because there is no point in releasing it.

[HPLovecraft]

Man, some of this stuff is interesting. I've been reading quite a few cables tonight. Here's a small taste of one in particular released last night. It concerns EU ambassadors attending Ahmadinejad's inauguration:

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Kathleen H. Allegrone, for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

¶1. (C/NF) European Union members will send low-ranking
diplomats to the first of two inauguration ceremonies for
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but they will not inform the Iranians of
their plans, according to French MFA Acting Middle East
Director (Assistant-Secretary equivalent) Jean-Christophe
Paucelle.

¶2. (C/NF) All EU members will, however, send their
Ambassadors to the August 5 inauguration ceremony in the
Iranian Parliament. Paucelle adopted a defensive tone when
explaining this decision, which he said was finalized in
Brussels the morning of July 31. He admitted this issue had
generated tense and fractious debate among European foreign
ministers. "We are caught between two conflicting
objectives," Paucelle explained. "On the one hand, we want
to communicate that we do not approve of this illegitimate
election. On the other hand, we need to be realistic: the
power is in the hands of Khameini and Ahmadinejad, including
the nuclear file, and we must negotiate with those in power.
You are in the same position." Paucelle insisted that the EU
will continue to respect what he described as "the Durban red
lines." "We will walk right out if Ahmadinejad denies the
Holocaust or declares that his regime will destroy Israel."
(NOTE: Paucelle admitted that since non-Muslims had never
before received an invitation to the inauguration ceremony
presided over by the Supreme Leader, EU diplomats in Tehran
have never entered the building where the event will take
place, and so they are not sure how they will stage their
walk-out, logistically, should they need to do so. They are
worried that the doors may be locked. END NOTE.)

[ . . . ]

"The Iranians are desperate for
recognition and so they have disregarded their usual devotion
to protocol -- and their anti-British vitriol -- on this
occasion."

¶3. (C/NF) Paucelle said that the case of detained French
citizen Clothilde Reiss has also influenced the EU decision
to attend the inauguration ceremonies. "We think she may be
released soon, and we don't want to create another irritant,"
Paucelle said. "There are enough already."

[ . . . ]

He added that, of course,
she may not be released at all next week, but the French
remain optimistic that she will soon be out of prison.
PEKALA

Oh noes, they'll walk out if Mr. Ahmedinejad mentions what everyone knows he is already thinking. And I don't think attending his inauguration ceremony is really showing disapproval of his "illegitimate" election.

http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable...PARIS1046.html

[HPLovecraft]

So apparently Assange is now on Interpol's "Most Wanted" for his "sex crimes," which include rape and sexual molestation. Too bad he's not Roman Polanski so Interpol could just let him go free.

[CaptainCrunch]

My biggest problems with this guy personally was his publication on his site of plans and specifications for anti-IED devices that were being used for protecting soldiers lives.

I also have problems with his publication revealing names of human rights workers and anti-taliban sources of information in Afghanistan, and his publication of soldiers personal information including SIN numbers.

I read up on the rape thing and its fairly inconclusive but from my understanding he refuses to turn himself in for questioning, if he's innocent then why not clear your name.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I read up on the rape thing and its fairly inconclusive but from my understanding he refuses to turn himself in for questioning, if he's innocent then why not clear your name.

I have to object.

You keep posting as if people involved in actions directly or tangentially related to the wars waged by the US can expect to get due process.

Basically no one involved in any of these affairs is getting due process. The debate in the US is basically to determine which court guarantees a guilty verdict, with the administration saying on multiple occasions that even if the court doesn't come through, they don't have to release the suspect.

One of the recent wikileaks reports speaks of Khalid El-Masri, a German citizen abducted and tortured by the US because they thought he was Al-Qaeda member Khalid Al-Masri. In response to all this, the US pressured German authorities to sweep everything under the rug.

In light of this and many other examples, why would any sane person turn themselves into the authorities in any matter wherein the US will take the lead?

Again, I respect your belief in the rule of law. But if you think people are getting due process from the US lately, you're not paying attention.

[CaptainCrunch]

In the case of the investigation of the rape of harrasment it has nothing to do with the U.S. I think it was Sweden or one of those European countries

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

In the case of the investigation of the rape of harrasment it has nothing to do with the U.S. I think it was Sweden or one of those European countries

Do you really believe that Sweden of all countries was pursuing Assange without any input from US authorities?

The same Sweden that put out an arrest warrant in the summer and rescinded it the next day?

Come on...

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

So apparently Assange is now on Interpol's "Most Wanted" for his "sex crimes," which include rape and sexual molestation. Too bad he's not Roman Polanski so Interpol could just let him go free.

It's just blatant character assassination anyways. Sweden's prosecutors are more or less being pressured by the US at this point.

In a statement earlier this month, Assange’s British counsel said that his client repeatedly offered to cooperate with local investigators while he was in Sweden, and has offered to answer questions remotely from Britain since then. “All of these offers have been flatly refused by a prosecutor who is abusing her powers by insisting that he return to Sweden at his own expense to be subjected to another media circus that she will orchestrate,” wrote attorney Mark Stephens. “Pursuing a warrant in this circumstance is entirely unnecessary and disproportionate.

It seems to me Assange is victim of one of the oldest tricks in spycraft... I think it's called the Honeypot? Get someone important to sleep with one of your spies or a hooker, and blackmail/use it against them somehow.
Guardian has a good commentary on the whole situation
http://bit.ly/hHERmr

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

In the case of the investigation of the rape of harrasment it has nothing to do with the U.S. I think it was Sweden or one of those European countries

You think Russia or China wouldn't have a problem assassinating Assange, but don't think the U.S. could have a hand in trying to ruin his name. Riiiiight . . .

Assange could be completely guilty of these accusations, no way to know at this point, but you can't deny the timing of these events since the release of the war docs, along with the events that have followed, is a bit fishy sounding, one way or the other.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

You think Russia or China wouldn't have a problem assassinating Assange, but don't think the U.S. could have a hand in trying to ruin his name. Riiiiight . . .

Assange could be completely guilty of these accusations, no way to know at this point, but you can't deny the timing of these events since the release of the war docs, along with the events that have followed, is a bit fishy sounding, one way or the other.

Think everyones just waiting for him to post something about Russia or China, then everyone can have a crack and him and point the finger at them.

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Think everyones just waiting for him to post something about Russia or China, then everyone can have a crack and him and point the finger at them.

There are a number of things concerning China and Russia in the recent cable releases, most notably where China calls N. Korea a "spoiled child" trying to get the attention of the "adult" (U.S.A.).

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

It seems to me Assange is victim of one of the oldest tricks in spycraft... I think it's called the Honeypot? Get someone important to sleep with one of your spies or a hooker, and blackmail/use it against them somehow.
Guardian has a good commentary on the whole situation
http://bit.ly/hHERmr

Is that an Archer reference?

[Thor]

Originally Posted by T@T

One would think they would try something new.

"Assange wanted in connection with sexual crimes against 4 horses in Sweden."

[FunkMasterFlame]

Originally Posted by Yasa

Is that an Archer reference?

No, its a real-life reference. Archer just used it for hilarious effect.

[Sluggo]

Harper apparently pulled some strings to get a photo op during D-day ceremonies while the whole coalition thing was going on at home. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/...ks-harper.html

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If there's a cover up at a senior level then you have a real problem and I will agree that we have seen that and it always disturbs me. But at the same time there are mechanisms in the chain of command for reporting these things, I go back to things like whistle blower hotlines for anonymous reporting that the U.S. military has put into effect.

You have much more confidence in the chain of command than I do.

I'd go far as to say you're being a bit naive about these mechanisms and the purpose they are supposed to serve.