Neither wrong nor illegal

Our instrument of last resort for bringing some accountability to those in power

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Neither wrong nor illegal
by Daniel M Pourkesali
06-Dec-2010
 

After reading the article titled ‘WikiLeaks: U.S.-Iran Relations "Now What" Moment?’ by NIAC’s Reza Marashi who identifies himself as a former Iran desk officer at the U.S. State Department, I failed to see exactly what ‘lessons learned’ are being presented following release of thousands of the not-so-diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks -- an act that the writer repeatedly labels as an “inexcusable security breach” throughout his treatise.

While condemning the leaks as an “unprecedented violation” and “illegal act” that has put the lives of many U.S. diplomats including some of author’s former colleagues in harm’s way, they’re credited for exposing the ruse of both Bush and Obama administrations seeking a diplomatic solution with Iran and Mr. Marashi himself is quick to admit that Obama’s change of ‘tactics’, [which included co-opting NIAC], was only to build a consensus for imposing more severe sanctions on Iran.

Instead of rebuking those who intentionally misled him, Mr. Marashi reserves his harshest criticism for the messenger who has merely exposed the lies and dishonesty of his former superiors in the State Department and delivered where others in the press have miserably failed or refused to do at the expense of the misinformed public.

It is important to remember that contrary to what Mr. Marashi and others claim; nothing Wikileaks has done is illegal. Julian Assange is not an American citizen and does not reside in any U.S. territory and thus not subject to American law.  Of course the word ‘illegal’ has been so severely perverted by its propagandists to mean anything that the U.S. government disapproves. A person committing such acts is summarily defined as a criminal and denied any due process or trial.

No government likes having its secrets revealed and there's nothing wrong with aggressively defending national security. But a democratic society requires an informed citizenry that does not blindly accept everything the government says and its subservient media repeats. And because of that leaks like these are necessary because they’re our instrument of last resort for bringing some accountability to those in power.

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Paykar

Assange editorial

by Paykar on


bushtheliberator

one Right-wing Jingo vote for Wiki-leaks

by bushtheliberator on

 Right-wingers have a wary suspicion of government power,Mr. Assange has provided a useful service to US citizens.

But the biggest gift of the Wiki-leaks drama may be yet to come.How many other disgruntled workers,in how many other countries ,might now be inspired to bring an extra thumb-drive to work ? Can you hear me in Tehran ?


Paykar

Hero

by Paykar on

Assange is a hero. The world is a better place because of his efforts
in bringing to light the corruption, lies, and unethical activities of
states and powerful organizations.

His thought on individual
freedom vs the suffocating pressures inherent in any structure of power, somewhat,
reminds me of our own Hedayat.

 

P.S. I am my own agent:)


Fred

Ding Dong

by Fred on

Whenever the Ding Dong found out why his “anti-war lobby” is so tight with IRR, its members attend IRR’s propaganda gatherings in NY & Iran, their US branch head vets the names of those who are to attend and ask question from IRR president at such gatherings and it is in business of arranging guided travel tours to Iran for the “progressives” with full cooperation of IRR-- may be then that Ding Dong can share his findings with the clueless Islamist Palestinian crop dusters. However until that blessed time comes, keep on truckin.


Bavafa

Dingo daddy: Could you do me a favor please

by Bavafa on

If you could understand Fred's point of view, well beside IRR is bad and Israel is good please let me know as well. There are countless of us wondering about the same thing.

What is ironic, most things Fred writes (two-blog-a-day) one can just replace the word IRR with Israel and it will still be just as valid as he had intended so.

Now, brace yourself for a "Islamist-xyz" lable

Mehrdad


dingo daddy En passant

hello Fred,

by dingo daddy En passant on

I have two questions I have wanted to ask you for a long time. I don't just accept you are an Israeli agent like many people say, even when all your blogs is the same as the Israeli line. But at the same time, you make a lot of baseless attacks on other people.

1. What exactly is wrong with being a part of anti war lobby?

2. Why do you think everyone you don't agree with is a "board member" of such and such group?

 

This is a fine article that has nothing to do with IRI. I thank the author and apologize for the distractions. Not everyone is like Fred. Most people read and judge for themselves.

Isn't it better to talk about the issues with individual Iranians rather than just making hateful accusations all the time?  Just want to understand your point of view.


Fred

CASMII lobby

by Fred on

I agree with the author where he says:

“But a democratic society requires an informed citizenry that does not blindly accept everything the government says and its subservient media repeats.”

In the same spirit the honest thing would have been for Pourkesali to identify himself as a board member of the CASMII lobby.

CASMII lobby is demonstrably in the business of deliberately misrepresenting Interests of IRR, the Islamist Rapist Republic, as the national interests of Iran.

 It seems with the abject policy failures of NIAC lobby and its conjoined twin the CASMII lobby, a falling out between the twins is taking place or at least this member of the two lobbies is heading that way. If so, maybe the NIAC lobby should see the errors of its ways and start doing the things that repel IRR groupies.