Vicious Rants of an Angry Yellow Man

The WikiLeaks memos is not a disaster. In fact I think it strengthens the U.S. positions in many international issues. It is true that the memos may put some people in danger, like freedom fighters in Iran. It is also incredible that a pfc can have access to so many secret information. We have to do a much better job of keeping information out of people who have no business having access to them. But so far the leaks are not so damaging overall.

For example it is now revealed that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are frightened by Iran. So they don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons either. So there will be no consequences in the Arab world if the U.S. or Israel decide to take out Iran's nuclear facilities. It may also give Iran pause to know how isolated they are in the world. The revelation that China may not be upset if North Korea is absorbed by South Korea may not be the whole truth. But the fact that China has not gone out of its way to deny it, shows that there is a grain of truth in it. This should also give Kim Jong Il pause.

Julian Assange claims that Hillary Clinton should resign because State department employees had been ordered to gather confidential information on foreign dignitaries. This is the worst indictment of our diplomats? The fact that our diplomats had unkind words about foreign leaders comes as no surprise. I am sure they say the same thing about our leaders. Imagine what they say about Bush and Cheney! Spying on each other is part of the diplomatic game. What these leaks have not shown, as least so far, is that the U.S. has engaged in double talks with allies and enemies. There is no evidence of the U.S. planning to use force to get what we want. So to me these leaks won't hurt, and possibly help, our image on the international stage. The only thing that we need to demonstrate is improving our ability to prevent leaks!