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It is certainly useful for states to keep secrets from their citizens insofar as they are keeping secrets from other states.
Also recall that states aren't unitary - politicians and bureaucrats can't have all their cards and considerations open to each other in the same state...
Ok granted my insult example isnt great but you get the idea. I agree that there should be a level of openness between the government and its people. But just as citizens have a right to know, I also think there is a right not to know. I mean, the whole idea of secret clearance levels exist for a reason I think. Now, where that line is drawn can be debated, but to me I dont think a state with no secrets can reasonably exist. Maybe Sealand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crandar
OK, first off, Manning is a She.
I'll take the lefty-card of all of you who brushed over that, you're disqualified as "card carrying lefties".
Now, to point.
1. Manning simply dumped a great deal of information onto Wiki-Leaks/the Guardian - neither of which are known for judgement or discretion.
2. Aside from the embarrassing revelation that American Diplomats all imitate Boris Johnson behind closed doors this resulted in the release of reams of classified operational data which had no political value but was aof great value to our enemies in the Middle East. People almost certainly suffered summary execution at the hands of Terrorists because of what Manning did.
Manning has their blood on her hands, but because the followup is still classified her supporters are spared the gory details of what happened to those people. They were people, not "spies", people who were probably beheaded, or tortured and shot.
3. Manning plead guilty to all charges. Having plead guilty to the release of the information she can't really be considered a "Whistleblower". What she was was a highly disturbed trans-gender woman who never should have been allowed to handle sensitive information. That's a significant point - Manning went to her CO, was ignored but at no point tried to escalate things within the Army. She just vomited whatever she could get her hands onto out onto the Internet.
Six years is not long enough - twelve years perhaps. I, for one, would like to know if the army is still paying for her surgery.
As to Snowden, Snowden is a fugitive from Justice currently being sheltered by Russia. As Obama noted, he can't pardon Snowden because Snowden hasn't submitted the required paperwork, i.e. he hasn't faced a court, been convicted and then asked for clemency.
This is also why Snowden is not a hero - a real patriot would return to the US and submit himself to the Courts. Fleeing to Russia is the action of a Traitor which has made it far more likely he'll be treated as such and executed.
Fleeing to Russia is the action of a man who is not self-destructive. Russia was the best option, because no other country would give him asylum. It's the same with Assange, his friendship with Russia is not the cause of the leaks, but the consequence, the result of relentless persecution.
A Bigly Presidential message from our future dic-tator.
Attachment 19403
May God have mercy on all of our souls...
CNN's going "hint hint" about which obama cabinate member gets ghe big chair if trump dies before swearing in.
The said diplomats may do nastier things - like dressing up like women and fomenting unrest in this disguise. At least Lavrov says so, and he is the one to trust.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/...-weirdos-56856
http://tass.com/politics/925394
Oath completed and sworn at 1200 Eastern
The 45th Presidency begins.
Probably time for a new thread on the apocalypse, since now the election is 100% over.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh