MOTHER JONES BY E-MAIL
July 9, 2008

«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»

Why Shutting Down Wikileaks Will Backfire

A federal judge in California has ordered the whistleblower website Wikileaks to go dark. But the site wasn't taken out by the Feds— who have good reason to be upset with it for posting sensitive information about Gitmo and rendition flights—but rather a Swiss Bank that filed suit after the site posted documents suggesting that it was up to some financial hanky-panky in the Caymans. The bank may have won round one, but Wikileaks and its friends are already winning round two. The site is being mirrored in several places (see list here) and the bank's docs are readily available as a download. I suspect that this instance of judicial overreach will be overturned and the main Wikileaks site will be back. And in the meantime, some Swiss bankers are about to get a lesson on how hard it is to stuff digital genies back into their bottles.






Comments

FREEDOM OF SPEECH BABY!
Then:
Freedom of the Press
~and
Freedom of Religion.

The three freedoms that can save the world.

Posted by: Trollstein on 02/18/08 at 5:34 PM  Respond

"The three freedoms that can save the world."

Or at minimum let us complain by voice in print and prayer as the hellbound handbasket reaches terminal velocity.

Posted by: capt on 02/18/08 at 6:51 PM  Respond

Well put Cappie:
Pls note:
I did not say:
'will save the world'
I only said: 'can'.
The world (or at least large parts of it) does not seem to even want salvation. The desire is an implied component of any solution. Whether we deserve a solution is another necessary component and that question is unknowable to myself, although I suspect we probably fall somewwhat short.
(IMHO) We are only monkeys--with fancy buttons that light up pretty colors.
Not far below our primate brain are circuts stemming from reptilian origins. Some of these still control our daily decisions.
If there is a God and if God decides that we are deserving of salvation, I strongly suspect He will only do so while holding his nose.

Posted by: Trollstein on 02/19/08 at 3:40 AM  Respond

"We are only monkeys--with fancy buttons that light up pretty colors." Trollstein, you are the only one in this conversation who claims to be a monkey. You can access the website in a couple of other countries(e.g. Belgium), only in the USA is the lights out for now.

Posted by: Latasha on 02/19/08 at 6:40 AM  Respond

Pretty much everyone in power aren't tech savvy. They don't understand that once it's on the internet, there's nothing they can do to stop it. The more they try, the more people will make sure it's available and make a bigger story out of it.

And let's keep it this way. Their stupidity ensures that these things are given the limelight rather than rusting away in some forgotten corner of the internet.

Posted by: Someone on 02/19/08 at 9:56 AM  Respond

Streisand Effect, anybody?

Posted by: Circeus on 02/20/08 at 7:49 AM  Respond

Post a comment





 

RECENT COMMENTS

Why Shutting Down Wikileaks Will Backfire (6)
Circeus wrote: Streisand Effect, anybody?... [more]

An Embarrassing Loss for Clinton: Where Have All the Blue-Collar Dems Gone? (7)
Matt wrote: "there is still the decision to be made regarding Michigan... [more]

No Fond Farewells for Fidel, Who Leaves Behind a Repressive and Impoverished State (19)
Steve wrote: If their healthcare system is so wonderful, why did they n... [more]

A Terrorist is Assassinated in Damascus: A Whodunnit (49)
Virgil wrote: I did not research the Troll's points because its a lot of... [more]

Private's Stripes Going Once, Going Twice: How Much to Serve Your Country? (2)
frank wrote: Thats the problem with the us military, it"s like leaving ... [more]

Which Dem Is Better Able to Beat John McCain? (70)
OLLEHYBROOD wrote: I like many others will not vote for Hillary. I beleive mo... [more]

Time To Ban Beef From School Lunch (11)
amerikan kapı wrote: Obviously not everything is the same (e.g. where IE6 crash... [more]

NIU Shooting: Different School, Same Questions (40)
College Professor wrote: All I can say is the day my students have permission to ca... [more]

The SEIU Picks Obama (46)
? wrote: how about the picture at the top of this . MY GOD, ... [more]

Dissecting HRC's New Attacks on BHO (6)
Roger M wrote: "Speech writer" is a profession. And the top politicians h... [more]

XML RSS Feed

Powered by
Movable Type 3.33

Jail.org - Inmate Search
Criminal records, instant public records & people search & current court records. www.jail.org

U.S. Public Records Search
Search County & State Court Records, Criminal records, Vital and Adoption Records www.PublicRecordsInfo.com

Records.com - People Search
Public Records and Background Checks. Instantly Search Criminal Records, Addresses and Court Records www.Records.com

Court Records & County Records
Find Instant Public Records, Criminal Records as Well as County Property Records Search. www.PublicRecordsIndex.com

















bookIN PRINT

CLICK HERE
for more great reading

headphones IN TUNE
New music every issue

CLICK TO LISTEN


This article has been made possible by the Foundation for National Progress, the Investigative Fund of Mother Jones, and gifts from generous readers like you.

© 2008 The Foundation for National Progress

About Us   Support Us   Advertise   Ad Policy   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Subscribe   RSS