Julian Assange: Hero or Villain?

[CaptainObvious]

Quote from Dr. Zhivodka:

Thanks for the honest answer. Let me ask you another question. You appear to be a man who has been and is sympathetic to the Blue Collar guy and Labor Unions etc, etc, yet in his heart of hearts leans to the right of the political spectrum. Mind you I didn't say kook job right winger simply that you appear to lean right. Given that how do you feel about Assange's statement that Wikileaks next target is the "ecosystem of corruption" in the corporate world and that they will release documents from the banking and pharmaceutical industry?

I'm perfectly OK with them assailing the corporate world. Seriously, if I'm to be consistent, I'd have the same issues with it, but a whole lot less sympathy for the corporate bastards.
My main problem with Assange is he likes to tell half the story as he did with the gunship blasting that car in Iraq awhile back. That's my real concern. If someone has unbiased proof outright corruption and illegal activity, I'd lean towards getting the truth out, but it's got to be the whole truth, not just what suits one's political agenda. And gossip, as it appears some of his latest stuff is, is just more crap on the pile for the talking heads to rail on about.

 

[Dr. Zhivodka]

Gossip is about right. Unless I missed something I don't really see what's so terribly dangerous and threatening about the latest Wikileaks dump. Our diplomats talk shit about and poke fun at foreign leaders, big deal. Hardly the shrill chirping from State and the Pentagon about Wikileaks costing lives. It seems to me this is more embarrassing for China, Saudi, Pakistan and Russia than it is for us.

In fact what I found most interesting about the latest dump is that China doesn't really care too much for N. Korea or their "childish" and petulant ways. And that they would be comfortable with a unified Korea under S. Korean rule. Fairly good news to me. Of course our government already knew that but certainly China didn't want the world to know that.

I'm looking forward to the next dump. Viva la Wikileaks!!

Quote from CaptainObvious:

I'm perfectly OK with them assailing the corporate world. Seriously, if I'm to be consistent, I'd have the same issues with it, but a whole lot less sympathy for the corporate bastards.
My main problem with Assange is he likes to tell half the story as he did with the gunship blasting that car in Iraq awhile back. That's my real concern. If someone has unbiased proof outright corruption and illegal activity, I'd lean towards getting the truth out, but it's got to be the whole truth, not just what suits one's political agenda. And gossip, as it appears some of his latest stuff is, is just more crap on the pile for the talking heads to rail on about.

 

[Free Thinker]

lets say there is a top secret organization within the government. an underling discovers that the top officials of that top secret organization are double dealing. taking bribes,kickbacks, selling secrets, whatever. should the underling keep quiet because what he does is top secret or should he inform the media? if he informs the media is he a hero or a villian?

 

[ChkitOut]

Quote from Rearden Metal:

No they'd be a villain! (Kind of like the way the government barged into my life and took a massive dump all over everything I was trying to do two years ago.)

... but then, if <i>someone else</i> were to break into that villain's office and fuck with all of <i>their</i> shit, I might be inclined to look kindly upon that person out of spite... and that person is Assange. That's how <i>I</i> see it, anyways.

But you can't make your own rules. Thats called anarchy and it doesn't work.

So whatever it is you were trying to do 2 years ago may or may not have been illegal, if not you get a lawyer i guess

 

[phenomena]

Yeah, I'm not saying this was certainly deliberate disinfo, I am just saying that it's plausible.

Quote from omegapoint:

Its wise to inspect past the obvious but then consider these releases as just journalists making noises like journalists and any effects as simply a byproduct of said releases empty of deliberate intent. The video of the helicopter fire couldn't have
been something any agency or individual who Assange might be inolved in a conspiracy with would have wanted leaked even if only to create interference. I could be wrong, underestimating the extent of setting up the public. You've gotta consider, they know everything you know or might think.

 

[Free Thinker]

who is the evil one? this is the kind of stuff that the evil guy is letting us know is happening. these kinds of secret dealings should make your blood boil. not the messenger. where are the tea party morons. not a peep out of them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/30/billions-down-the-drain-i_n_790043.html#s195062

 

[phenomena]

What the fuck are you talking about shit brains? This has been all over tea party forums. Typical left wing quack, running your cock sucker without the first clue what you are talking about...

Quote from Free Thinker:

who is the evil one? this is the kind of stuff that the evil guy is letting us know is happening. these kinds of secret dealings should make your blood boil. not the messenger. where are the tea party morons. not a peep out of them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/30/billions-down-the-drain-i_n_790043.html#s195062

 

[bugscoe]

Quote from phenomena:

What the fuck are you talking about shit brains? This has been all over tea party forums. Typical left wing quack, running your cock sucker without the first clue what you are talking about...

He's too stupid to realize he has us all on ignore.

 

[Illum]

Hero. If he really can expose banking industry fraud on the scale of enron, as he claims, then he is doing us all a great service.

 

[Gabfly1]

I don't see the heroism. It would be one thing if the exposure was specific in focus and of purpose. However, from what I gather from the media, the disclosure was fairly wide reaching and indiscriminate. I can only read anarchy and mayhem into that kind of conduct. Sure, if you hit enough people indiscriminately you will hurt some bad guys. But is that the justification?