06-22-2011, 01:54 AM
I have not read all this thread, so I hope my wonderful, counter-intuitive insights have not already been thrashed out by others.
I take one look at Assange, and know that I could not stand him at any price. I do not think that it is a good thing for information to be disclosed willy-nilly, whether or not it is of use to any enemy, of commercial rival. So far, just my tuppence ha'penny. However--- since the beginning of this saga, I have constantly been impressed by the effect of the disclosures: some temporary embarrassment, but then, very often, a good deal of respect for the assessments of American diplomats. This has been followed by real changes, which all the diplomacy in the world could not have achieved, real changes, most notably, in the so-called Arab Spring. It is true that Libya is a bit messy, and one has to wonder whether the will of the people across Libya is sufficiently engaged, to make the sacrifices which are necessary in regime change from with in, or stasis, or more simply, revolution. Certainly plenty have been willing to die, and I do understand very well what it is like to live in a place where a despot and secret police run things -- it is not an easy choice for the people of Tripoli.
Yet Libya aside, there seem to be great chances that the people of Syria - a very pleasant lot - will be able to have some less harsh form of government. Jordan has already agreed to go over almost entirely to a constitutional monarchy. The fact that the Saudis were able to crush resistance to revolt in Bahrain (it was not really the Khalifa family who called them in) merely underscores the intent and desire of the Bahrainis, and it will not be brooked forever.
Other countries have been affected also. But is Obama on the rack? Not over this.
Thus, whilst I detest conspiracy theories, I have to say that it would not surprise me to find that history shows the US to have been at least a willing party. Perhaps US interests have been harmed; I just cannot think of any.
I rather hate revealing myself as a crack-pot so soon after joining te site, but I suppose it would become apparent quickly enough.
I take one look at Assange, and know that I could not stand him at any price. I do not think that it is a good thing for information to be disclosed willy-nilly, whether or not it is of use to any enemy, of commercial rival. So far, just my tuppence ha'penny. However--- since the beginning of this saga, I have constantly been impressed by the effect of the disclosures: some temporary embarrassment, but then, very often, a good deal of respect for the assessments of American diplomats. This has been followed by real changes, which all the diplomacy in the world could not have achieved, real changes, most notably, in the so-called Arab Spring. It is true that Libya is a bit messy, and one has to wonder whether the will of the people across Libya is sufficiently engaged, to make the sacrifices which are necessary in regime change from with in, or stasis, or more simply, revolution. Certainly plenty have been willing to die, and I do understand very well what it is like to live in a place where a despot and secret police run things -- it is not an easy choice for the people of Tripoli.
Yet Libya aside, there seem to be great chances that the people of Syria - a very pleasant lot - will be able to have some less harsh form of government. Jordan has already agreed to go over almost entirely to a constitutional monarchy. The fact that the Saudis were able to crush resistance to revolt in Bahrain (it was not really the Khalifa family who called them in) merely underscores the intent and desire of the Bahrainis, and it will not be brooked forever.
Other countries have been affected also. But is Obama on the rack? Not over this.
Thus, whilst I detest conspiracy theories, I have to say that it would not surprise me to find that history shows the US to have been at least a willing party. Perhaps US interests have been harmed; I just cannot think of any.
I rather hate revealing myself as a crack-pot so soon after joining te site, but I suppose it would become apparent quickly enough.