by Joseph Carlson
I have been reading a lot about the DNC and the emails that were leaked through Wiki Leaks. Again, as I've talked about before there seems to be little to no accountability. Of course some of the people resigned, which was good.
I also read an amazing Op-Ed in The New York Times yesterday about Wiki Leaks and its founder Julian Assange. The documents that were leaked had people's personal information in them. Credit card and social security numbers were included in the leaked emails and you have to wonder if that is really morally correct.
I've applauded Wiki Leaks in the past and think we need transparency in government even when they don't want it but I think in the instance Mr. Assange has crossed a line. A good deed isn't wiped out by a good deed. You can't claim the moral high-ground and then do something equally revolting like sharing someone's address or credit card info.
I saw an interview with Mr. Assange and Bill Maher as part of Mr. Maher's show Real Time on HBO. Mr. Assange delighted in telling Bill Maher off when he suggested that Mr. Maher had an agenda when he gave money to Hillary Clinton. Mr. Maher laughed and said actually the donation came in 2008 and he gave money to Barrack Obama.
Some people would find that amazing. The "I Gotcha" moment. It really wasn't though. It seemed Mr. Assange had his dates wrong, and also Bill Maher admitted to donating money to Barrack Obama. I've seen Mr. Maher be critical of the Obama administration before. It's like asking a friend for money to pay bills and then finding out they blew the money on concert tickets.
Being a whistle-blower is an incredibly powerful thing, and in this day and age it is necessary. It's seems very personal though for Mr. Assange and in my opinion that is very dangerous. There is a great responsibility in handling of these document and I hope Wiki Leaks and Mr. Assange take this more serious in the future.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.