Even with this release they sold out, giving The New York Times, Guardian, Der Spiegel copies a month early. Of course, for a fee. Also note that Wikileaks withheld 15,000 “as part of a harm minimization process demanded by our source."[6]
This tactic of "the source said so" is in itself untrustworthy as you can never verify the source. These are not forged or faked, however, withholding data is not being "transparent". Which is wikileaks mission.
I think George Brock said it best in his post entitled "Julian Assange and the Wikileaks agenda" where he wrote, "Assange’s style is an odd mixture of insight, nonsense and brass-neck salesmanship"[2] The fact that Wikileaks has an agenda and are out to sell information to the highest bidder does not speak well, IMO[3]. If you are going to promote transparency be transparent your self.
The Wau Holland Foundation has told reporters that Wikileaks receives no money for personnel costs, only for hardware, travel and bandwidth, however they have not produced any detailed receipts for this[4]. As any charity should do- some are even required by law to do so.
On their twitter feed they call cryptome out for full primary sources, this is very hypocritical on their part[5]. Many of their problems did not start until Assange took the "helm", and many will not cease until he leaves.
They have also released bank numbers, addresses, SSN, and other private information on individuals(see BNP and Bank post). This is not necessary. You claim to "fight the power" then do it, do not hurt civilians along the way.
Hum, to correct some points: 1) the Guardian at least says no fee was involved:
"Assange allowed the Guardian to examine the logs at our request. No fee was involved and Wikileaks was not involved in the preparation of the Guardian's articles."
2) I think also it's fairly clear the auction model was something they considered, tried and rejected (the auction failed), and 3) you didn't mention that the Wau Holland Foundation /will/ be producing a report as required by law.
And finally, concerning the extra documents not released, WL said it would only /delay/ the release, not block them altogether:
"We have delayed the release of some 15,000 reports from total archive as part of a harm minimization process demanded by our source. After further review, these reports will be released, with occasional redactions, and eventually, in full, as the security situation in Afghanistan permits."
1) I agree that Wikileaks was not involved in the preparation of any articles- Assange does not wield that much power- however, payment of some sort was involved. I cannot go into details on this as my sources would not allow it.
2) I do not work for Wikileaks, and I doubt you do. What they do behind closed doors is only up for public opinion. They have made it clear in the past that they are not beyond selling information. I am not so certain they are still not up for it.
3) I thought I had included that they were planning on releasing a summary in August. This is, however, the first one they have done since Wikileaks inception in 2006. Where are the last 3?
4) I am a huge fan of Mr. Assange. I do not like his politics, but I do respect him. For what ever reason you have decided to believe him. The word of someone who has told you their agenda. The word of a man who also deleted 30 mins from the 2007 helo attack. Now they delete facts from the War logs? What about the lying[1]? I can take but so much before I start to see something fishy. If your goal is transparency than you your self mush be 100% transparent, and Wikileaks is not.
I am not a Wikileaks apologist (in fact, I believe they are biased and fairly untrustworthy), but both the NY Times and the Guardian (sorry, don't read German :) were both very explicit in saying there was no money involved.
Do you have evidence supporting the claim that they demanded a fee from those agencies?
Even with this release they sold out, giving The New York Times, Guardian, Der Spiegel copies a month early. Of course, for a fee. Also note that Wikileaks withheld 15,000 “as part of a harm minimization process demanded by our source."[6]
This tactic of "the source said so" is in itself untrustworthy as you can never verify the source. These are not forged or faked, however, withholding data is not being "transparent". Which is wikileaks mission.
Here is a better, IMO, review of the video and context leading up to the attack: http://www.reddit.com/r/Military/comments/bn5lg/badass_take_...
I think George Brock said it best in his post entitled "Julian Assange and the Wikileaks agenda" where he wrote, "Assange’s style is an odd mixture of insight, nonsense and brass-neck salesmanship"[2] The fact that Wikileaks has an agenda and are out to sell information to the highest bidder does not speak well, IMO[3]. If you are going to promote transparency be transparent your self.
The Wau Holland Foundation has told reporters that Wikileaks receives no money for personnel costs, only for hardware, travel and bandwidth, however they have not produced any detailed receipts for this[4]. As any charity should do- some are even required by law to do so.
On their twitter feed they call cryptome out for full primary sources, this is very hypocritical on their part[5]. Many of their problems did not start until Assange took the "helm", and many will not cease until he leaves.
They have also released bank numbers, addresses, SSN, and other private information on individuals(see BNP and Bank post). This is not necessary. You claim to "fight the power" then do it, do not hurt civilians along the way.
[1] http://www.tcij.org/
[2] http://georgebrock.net/?p=853
[3] http://stefanmey.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/leak-o-nomy-the-ec...
[4] http://www.techeye.net/internet/wau-holland-foundation-sheds...
[5] http://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/17960055502
[6] http://security.unt.edu/aggregator/categories/1