OnPoint by Keith Ng

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OnPoint: Pay Attention

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  • John Holley,

    The issue that most people miss is that none of these documents are likely to be "news" to many foreign governments. As several hundred thousand people had access to the cables you would be taking a big risk in betting no one else has been downloading them and passing them on - for money probably - to another government.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 143 posts Report

  • Pdogge,

    Tor

    Freenet

    Freegate … sort of

    Good post Keith

    Tauranga • Since Feb 2008 • 15 posts Report

  • Steve Baker,

    Apparently anyone inside the wall can get unencumbered nets by signing up to one of the cheap and cheerful US VPN providers.

    wellington • Since Dec 2006 • 7 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I'm surprised Public Address can get through the wall.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Sam F, in reply to BenWilson,

    Certainly I didn't have any problems getting on here from China in late 2006/2007 (not 100% sure but I think I registered for PAS from there).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to BenWilson,

    I’m surprised Public Address can get through the wall.

    I seem to recall T-z-e M-i-n-g not being able to view her own blog at times. (See what I did there?)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to John Holley,

    none of these documents are likely to be "news" to many foreign governments

    Too true - but the faux outrage at their release provides a nice distraction from their content

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    Anyone know if Hong Kong is inside the wall - when I was there earlier this year some potentially interesting stuff seemed inaccessible - but probably not as much as I'd have expected if it were (no problems with PA though).

    Of course Taiwan which is technically sort of part of China (according to both PRC and the Taiwanese govt), and where I've been spending months lately is outside the wall

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Jonty,

    I have the gravest concerns for Assange's future. If he is sent to Sweden to stand trial it's almost certain that he will be rendered to the Americans, and he won't see the light of day for many years as their legal juggling, by deferring a trial, will keep him imprisoned, with all the horrors that will be for him. Even the loopy presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is calling for a Special Forces unit to go and assassinate him. So much for democracy in the land of the free.

    Katikati • Since Mar 2007 • 102 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Far from being hypothetical, cyberwarfare is already a hot war, with mounting evidence that China is particularly active.

    This is so far from being news to anyone in the computer security field that it's laughable. Which doesn't stop it being frightening.

    I have the gravest concerns for Assange's future. If he is sent to Sweden to stand trial it's almost certain that he will be rendered to the Americans, and he won't see the light of day for many years as their legal juggling, by deferring a trial, will keep him imprisoned, with all the horrors that will be for him. Even the loopy presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is calling for a Special Forces unit to go and assassinate him. So much for democracy in the land of the free.

    I am somewhat leery of the argument that Assange can never be arrested for anything, ever, because he'll automatically be rendered to the Americans and tortured for years, etc. It....puts him in a position I'm dubious he deserves to be in.

    Furthermore, being practical, if the Americans think that imprisoning Assange is going to stop Wikileaks, they're mad. Things like PayPal and Amazon doing their dirty work for them are far more likely to succeed.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    IMHO - "Flustercluck" - should be word of the year and this is one.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Jonty,

    <Furthermore, being practical, if the Americans think that imprisoning Assange is going to stop Wikileaks, they're mad.>

    I think many in positions of power are mad -- and what's more they want revenge.

    Katikati • Since Mar 2007 • 102 posts Report

  • Richard CLARK,

    Keith, if you and other media types had been paying attention and doing your 'job' all this would be irrelevant. Why are you surprised that we appear to be governed by " fools, thieves and maniacs", duh! Why are you surprised that the Internet is coming back to bite those who would deal in secrets and lies. I am about to cancel both my PayPal and Amazon accounts just to spite myself!

    Featherston • Since Feb 2009 • 7 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    Furthermore, being practical, if the Americans think that imprisoning Assange is going to stop Wikileaks, they're mad. Things like PayPal and Amazon doing their dirty work for them are far more likely to succeed.

    "You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea" - Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers, shot dead by the KKK in 1963.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • richard,

    Devil's advocate hat on...

    Assange does seem to be fairly sure he knows what is best for everyone.

    Its not hard to see a guy like that as a rapist.

    Not looking for New Engla… • Since Nov 2006 • 268 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to richard,

    Its not hard to see a guy like that as a rapist.

    Congratulations: this is the longest bow I've seen anyone draw since Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • mic weevil,

    "Assange does seem to be fairly sure he knows what is best for everyone. "

    Unlike every politician, blog commenter ever? If you think that's how 'rapist' is defined, then I'm afraid you're surrounded by them...

    auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 52 posts Report

  • Don Christie,

    Keith. Thank you.

    I am somewhat leery of the argument that Assange can never be arrested for anything

    Burn straw man, burn.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    I am somewhat leery of the argument that Assange can never be arrested for anything, ever, because he'll automatically be rendered to the Americans and tortured for years, etc. It....puts him in a position I'm dubious he deserves to be in.

    I agree though I do think we all need to be concerned about the risk that he will be mistreated; the recent extrajudicial behaviour of the UK and US governments may not be constrained to just folk who look like stereotypical terrorists (take for instance David Hicks).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • richard,

    http://web.archive.org/web/20071020051936/http://iq.org/

    Search for “Canberra” :-) And "ANU" :-)

    Not looking for New Engla… • Since Nov 2006 • 268 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Heh

    Thu 08 Jun 2006 : The history of warfare
    The history of warfare is similarly subdivided, although here the phases
    are Retribution, Anticipation, and Diplomacy. Thus:

    Retribution:
    I'm going to kill you because you killed my brother.
    Anticipation:
    I'm going to kill you because I killed your brother.
    Diplomacy:
    I'm going to kill my brother and then kill you on the
    pretext that your brother did it.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • richard, in reply to Ross Mason,

    H/T to Douglas Adams, but he omitted that.

    Not looking for New Engla… • Since Nov 2006 • 268 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    oh my - um just so full of interesting quotes

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Jolisa,

    Good lord. The bit on the etymology of the word cad was, well, I don't know the word, really. Germane?

    But the diet & exercise advice is exceptionally useful. I shall tame the lobster and take up long distance running immediately.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Steve Withers,

    I agree, Keith. These cables help us see how much our usual media do not tell us....despite posts from people who claim all this was obvious anyway....As you say, we now have the opportunity to see our reality more clearly and with greater resolution....and they will shape the way we see our world and ourselves as citizens and voters.

    Personally, I'd like to see the cables that went the OTHER way....to round out the picture. One diplomat's petulant, paranoid leader might be another diplomat's heroic leader....and they may both be right.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 312 posts Report

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