Wikileaks: Crazy amount of documents released

[GMScud]

This pretty much sucks. As with every war, there's plenty going on we don't know about.

W.H. condemns 'irresponsible' leaks, dismisses stories - Mike Allen - POLITICO.com

U.S. Condemns Release of Documents on Afghan War - Bloomberg

The War Logs - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com

[tryfuhl]

wouldn't be surprised if this guy goes "on the run" or "commits suicide" in the future

exposing tradition in warfare is kind of a big deal

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

wouldn't be surprised if this guy goes "on the run" or "commits suicide" in the future

exposing tradition in warfare is kind of a big deal

He's already in hidding in Iceland.

[budw38]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

He's already in hidding in Iceland.

Maybe he wil set up a tent very close to a volcano

[GMScud]

This article made me LOL, in a sad kind of way. The administration's approach is, "Ummm, please don't pay attention."

washingtonpost.com

[JoeRedskin]

^^ Loved this quote from the article:

"If those variations of the old 'move along, nothing to see here' defense weren't sufficient, [White House press secretary Robert] Gibbs offered up the rare triple-negative combination denial: 'I don't know that what is being said, or what is being reported, isn't something that hasn't been discussed fairly publicly.'"

It's not so much a "please don't pay attention" as much as it is a "uhhh, sure it was classified, but everybody already knew about it."

In fairness, the administration's response seems to be close to the truth. The documents were not "top secret" but were classified as "secret" which means (in government speak) lots of people actually had access to them and, according to one report, they were mostly the assessments of sergeants in the field. While certainly not something to ignore, it's not like these were relaying critical information.

Apparently, though, the Wikileaks folks were not as careful with names as the more traditional news outlets and may have placed some current soldiers/operatives at risk. If that is true, then the person or people responsible should be prosecuted for under the appropriate laws. I would hope the WH would be looking into that aspect of these leaks.

[SBXVII]

Maybe someone can help me out with one issue... if all the info on the web site is hog wash then how on earth does it hurt national security, or possibly puts our troops in anymore danger then they already are? I can see if people were posting true info which might cause a problem with tactics, troop movements, specifics on certain battles that have taken place.... but if the info is bogus then it hurts no one.

[SBXVII]

JoeRedskin, thanks for making it more clear. If names were thrown out there then that does put the soldier at risk as well as his family if anyone in the states felt compelled to be a vigilanty or wanted to make a statement about the war.

[Trample the Elderly]

I smell a rat! Some PFC was allowed to handle all of this sensitive material, yeah right! There are hidden motives behind this so-called leak. For one thing this is common knowledge to guys like me. They've been talking about this stuff for years on Coast to Coast. This is just like the Pentagon papers that the CIA leaked to make the Pentagon look bad for Vietnam.

I told y'all last year that Obama would probably broker a deal with the Taliban and that Pakistan would never give up its old proxy to the West. Who didn't know the ISI was helping the Taliban? I'm willing to bet that the Taliban will make "peace" with the US, the price will be Al Qaida. The peace will be brokered by Pakistan and the Taliban will emerge under a new name like the "Awakening" groups in Iraq, AKA former Bathist. This will be done to allow the US to save face. Everyone will know the score though. Either that or they'll nuke Pakistan in a sneak attack or put in a new dictator.

[12thMan]

It's just a sign of the times we live in. I don't think it's anymore complicated than that. No conspiracy, no cover-up, no Watergate.

Over the past year we've had cables leaked about the war in Afghanistan. A four star general talking freely to Rolling Stone magazine about the war, who was subsequently relieved of his duties. What, the previous Administration being accused of blowing a CIA agent's cover for political reasons (see Valarie Plame). And now Joe Schmo Private leaking non-classified docs to a web organization.

I think we're entering an era where principles and integrity simply don't matter anymore. We're so obsessed with our 15 minutes of fame that we'll put an entire nation at risk in pursuit of it.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

^^ Loved this quote from the article:

"If those variations of the old 'move along, nothing to see here' defense weren't sufficient, [White House press secretary Robert] Gibbs offered up the rare triple-negative combination denial: 'I don't know that what is being said, or what is being reported, isn't something that hasn't been discussed fairly publicly.'"

It's not so much a "please don't pay attention" as much as it is a "uhhh, sure it was classified, but everybody already knew about it."

In fairness, the administration's response seems to be close to the truth. The documents were not "top secret" but were classified as "secret" which means (in government speak) lots of people actually had access to them and, according to one report, they were mostly the assessments of sergeants in the field. While certainly not something to ignore, it's not like these were relaying critical information.

Apparently, though, the Wikileaks folks were not as careful with names as the more traditional news outlets and may have placed some current soldiers/operatives at risk. If that is true, then the person or people responsible should be prosecuted for under the appropriate laws. I would hope the WH would be looking into that aspect of these leaks.

Fully agree. At least the Times took the names out.

[saden1]

Don't blame the guy posting the information, blame your lack of security and the guys releasing the information. Is anyone shocked by anything in the documents? Obama and co are simply trying to cover their asses but for how long? The American people's patience is running out and the margin of error is razor thin. Hommie better get shit together and dump these wars.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by saden1

Don't blame the guy posting the information, blame your lack of security and the guys releasing the information. Is anyone shocked by anything in the documents? Obama and co are simply trying to cover their asses but for how long? The American people's patience is running out and the margin of error is razor thin. Hommie better get shit together and dump these wars.

This.

[Trample the Elderly]

You don't need wikileaks. Everything is available on the web for those who know where to look.

Fears of al–Qaida return in Iraq as US–backed fighters defect | World news | The Guardian

Oh did anyone catch the fact that Vietnam is now an "ally"? According to Hillary Clinton, Vietnam and their disputed islands are in our national interest.

More war is on the way. Don't believe the lies.

[Chico23231]

Ummm whats that?:

Bradley Manning wants to live as a woman, be known as Chelsea - CNN.com