The WikiLeaks Conundrum

By Jack Brummet
Social Mores Editor, All This Is That

Julian Assange - Mr. WikiLeaks

It's fascinating that WikiLeaks is still breathing. When you think of the people we (yes, we, of we the people) have assassinated--from low level intelligence operatives, up to and including, Presidents of foreign countries--you really do have to wonder how do these guys survive? Sure, there's Executive Order 12333, but that didn't save Ngo Dinh Diem in Vietnam, or Patrice Lumumba in the Congo, or Rene Schneider in Chile. Maybe Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan too. And we made more than one hapless attempt on Fidel's life. So how does Julian Assange--variously described as somewhat paranoid to nuttier than a fruitcake--get a pass once again?

Today our government shut down hundreds of counterfeit, pirate, and software download sites. Whatever the merits of their uber-Freedom of Information stance, WikiLeaks seems to be faring much better than a site selling fake designer tennis shoes did today.

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