WikiLeaks Disclosures Not Earth Shattering

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Interesting that the most obvious and significant fact of Wikileaks has been completely overlooked -- perhaps ignored is the word -- by the press, the government, the pundits. It is this. Information which is converted to digital format, transmitted electronically, and then stored in computer data bases, is not as secure as a personal hand-written note which is burned after reading, or a still-more-secure private and unrecorded personal conversation.

PJS of NY 11:09AM December 16, 2010

It is brilliant that people have the gall to find out what they want to know without being afraid

none of CO 12:37PM December 07, 2010

Not since the World Trade Center bombing has America faced such a breach of its security. The WikiLeaks have penetrated the nations defenses and have weakened its war against terrorism. But all is not lost, the thrust of the enemy will be met with new resolve and they will be defeated.

morris wise of NY 2:55PM December 01, 2010

The ability of diplomats to communicate frankly and privately with both their superiors and with the representatives of other interested parties has been the sine qua non of international diplomacy since the Bronze Age. Diplomacy is oft like sausage; it is best enjoyed if you do not watch it being made.
If it becomes too difficult for opinions, impressions or instructions to be exchanged in confidence, confusion will inevitably ensue. As it currently stands, this material seems only useful to embarrass and it appears lacks much of substantive value. It does, however, seem to me to set a very dangerous precedent and be a rather large step down a particularly slippery slope.

Tom Burke of MA 8:40AM December 01, 2010

Surely no government has the right to secrecy. They are only representatives of the public not rulers. Good on Wikileaks!

David Birrell 5:29PM November 30, 2010

Spinoza said, "No matter how thin you slice it, there is still two sides.
But, I believe that only time will tell if the Wiki releases represent political theater or impending disaster.
The larger issue, as I see it, is matter of theft, "stolen State Department cables" which is a legal, not political issue.

Professor David Demko of FL 5:28PM November 30, 2010