Topic: Largest leak in US military history tells the truth on the Afghanistan war

Micha · August 2nd, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by senojekips

You haven't even read what I said, so don't try to criticise me for admitting that I had not read the material. As I pointed out, the actual material had nothing to do with my point, because, had Wikileaks had not distributed it a hundred other agencies would have fought to be first in line, including the intelligence agencies of a dozen or more foreign powers. If you think WikiLieaks are to blame you have a very limited and short sighted view of the world that you live in.

In case you are not aware of it, there is a parallel universe outside that of the Military, it is a commercially driven civilian world and it outnumbers the military both numerically and politically. It is the world that provides both the money AND the enemies that keep the military in it's position of power. This world is composed of all types, from supporters of their relative military forces, to your worst nightmare as enemies.

Somewhere, you have led a very protected life, you should get out more and see what is going on in the world you live in. The truth will shock you.

Yes, I’ve read what you wrote. That one hundred other agencies would have fought to be first in line, including the intelligence agencies of a dozen or more foreign powers is something you assume. There is no coherent narrative, no context for individual episodes or an overarching perspective on the war. And very important: documents are not inconsistent with the image; official reports and media have drawn over several years. These documents complement the picture of the war, you know, if you have read the newspapers and government reports.

The British newspaper The Guardian has a problem as a critical mediator of the papers. the newspaper claims that the documents reveal “a very different landscape” Than what one knows. One would think that the editor had not read newspapers over the last six years. It seems that The Guardian has dramatized the documents more than they can carry, because the newspaper has had exclusive access to them. In this way undermines the press as a serious medium in an age where we are bombarded with information from near and far and have no idea what to believe: source criticism, credibility, insight, ability to prioritize and put information into their proper context.

Several military experts also agree that some of the leaked documents could endanger human life and give the enemy access to how NATO is operating. The media has a responsibility here, but so has the political and military authorities. Indeed, if you repeatedly attempt to suppress information with regard to national security, and it turns out that it is merely a sham to keep inconvenient information away from the public, so the media will be less inclined to listen when national security is really threatened.

That said, we can then welcome the opportunities that WikiLeaks creates for those who believe in transparency and open society. WikiLeaks stood last year behind the publication of thousands of emails from climate scientists that revealed attempts to suppress information that casts doubt on global warming. WikiLeaks has uncovered corruption in Kenya, irregularities in Western banks, an oil scandal in Peru and dumping of hazardous waste in Africa. That day, an official of a repressive regime wanted to share his knowledge of crimes committed by a dictator, WikiLeaks will be the ideal medium, but in the meantime maybe someone should teach Julian Assange the difference between journalism and activism.

I was not born in the military and because I am in the armed forces do not mean that I am not an active member of society. I've been a member of a political party in five years (and yes, it is the conservative party) and international politics have my interest. But I'm only 20 and you are probably twice as old as me and will probably argue that you also are twice as clever. I have lived a sheltered life indeed, and I am grateful for that, but I have not just been sitting on my flat ass at home. I've been out in the world. My father works in a multinational company so I have lived in other countries. The truth will shock you or The Truth Will Set You Free. You sound like the local missionary.

//Micha