Wikithoughts

In trying to tease out just what I think of the ruction over the latest Wikileaks scandal, I begin more and more to wonder what our Four Patrons would have thought of it. Tolkien had anarchist leanings (not the violent Rage Against the Machine kind) and one can perhaps imagine Chesterton and Belloc not being just too awfully sympathetic to Caesar as they see his laundered robes aired in public.

I've wondered again and again what life is WARSHington might be like if there were absolute transparency... if there were no such thing as meeting behind closed doors. I've even daydreamed of that creative and whimsical president who decides to live stream every meeting he attends, installing web-cams all over the White House (except, you know, in the washroom). One immediate effect would likely be a lot of lobbyists hanging around the washroom.

Then, there is that part of me that finds it easy to see Julian Assange as a reckless, attention-seeking punk... a more continental and sophisticated version of James O'keefe. I don't know if the damage he is causing is the good kind that humbles governments a bit, or the bad kind that really compromises security. I don't expect he knows, either (how do you thoughtfully read through 250,000+ documents?), which is why I think he's probably something of a punk.

But, truthfully, I confess I've reached the point where the spectacle of politicians in a panic is not something I find wholly unpleasant... and so, my ambivalence.

What's a Bearded Catholic to make of it?

Comments

[John Kasaian]

For every freelance traitor we hang, we ought to string up a cabinet appointee("professional traitor") along side as a simple matter of economic expediency.

[Der Wolfanwalt]

I second John's motion. I also find myself in your camp, Mr. Jones, insofar as Assange himself seems to be quite indistinguishable from a pair of donkey buttocks; yet I cannot but enjoy the level of consternation his antics have caused in the halls of power.

Now I need to ask you a question...you mentioned Tolkien's political leanings. Where would you recommend I go to read up on them? I'm almost instantly intrigued, and would like to know more.

[The Cobbler]

I third the motion, although I'm not sure Assange can be a traitor (I was under the impression he's not American anyway). I also fall in the "Not sure Assange isn't just another punk, but not wildly upset by his work either" camp. Granted, if there is danger to our men in the field, then that much is wrong; but I don't happen to have any expedient way to find out if such danger is real or merely alleged by our embarassed overlords.

[The Cobbler]

A correction: I know Assange can be a traitor to whichever country he's a citizen of, but I'm hearing that's not the US so his current antics, even assuming they're reprehensible, aren't treason. May as well be clear about what I'm trying to be clear about.