The Problem with Wikileaks (for us, not the The Man)

The next Bond villain?

Wikileaks and its enigmatic silver haired, Bond-villain like leader, Julian Assange, came into our consciousness with a resounding 'WTF!' (as said by governments around the world). I think any true lover of freedom will applaud the intent and actions of Wikileaks, as it seems to be removing the veil of secrecy and hypocrisy worn brazenly by First World nations, and the US in particular.

While Wikileaks seems to have become a much-needed thorn in the side of the West, especially with the latest revelations, there are a few issues and questions that naturally arise:

• Why do Governments condemn Wikileaks instead of their own people who are the ones clearly 'leaking the Wiki'? US senators called for the site to be branded a terrorist organization - wouldn't that make the leakers terrorists too?

• Governments can clearly leak what they wish for their own purposes (which makes said Governments complicit in terrorism if US senators get their way - see previous point). This latest leak is more problematic for the Middle East than the US as it has the potential to divide the Region (based on the 'fact' that Saudi Arabia has been asking the US to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities). This leak definitively supports a Western agenda and works in favor of the US who would like nothing more than a divided Middle East. Quite honestly, this latest leak actually has the US coming out looking pretty good - but not too good. But good enough. Look at this BBC condensation of the contents and judge for yourself. 

• No doubt the credibility and agenda of Wikileaks will be questioned. Surely conspiracy theories as to its true origin will (or already have) arise. Is it truly an independent body, or part of the West's propaganda machine? The bit of info that most supports the latest US mission most of all - and no doubt will take centre stage in Western media outlets - is the alleged acquisition of North Korean WMD's by Iran. The now, Twosome of Evil (Iraq was after all saved by an American Bootoscopy), is really being set up for an all-out Iraq style US invasion and just in time for the fresh NK/SK conflict. Coincidence?

• If Wikileaks is truly independent, how can it be sure that 'leaks' are truly 'leaks' and not political PR and power plays (see point 2)?

• Will Julian Assange reveal that he is the Anti-Christ by 2012, and is Obama going to be consumed with jealousy as a result?

That's all I've got. Feel free to add what you will. I gotta take a leak.

[EDIT: check this link for at least one differing view on the Leak courtesy of Ahmadinejad]

More Interesting Facts (& Rumours) About Living in the UAE

1. You need a licence to buy alcohol and keep it in your house.

2. You need a licence to dance. Yea you heard me, a licence to dance.
If holding a function of any kind you will need a ream of permissions, among them the permission to dance.

3. Dancing in public is frowned upon as is singing out aloud.

4. Alcohol is not sold openly - only in tourist areas like Hotels. You can get arrested for improper use of alcohol.

5. Emiratis are nicer people than you have heard.

6. Western culture is becoming quite dominant in the UAE and beginning to override local customs and standards.

7. Dishdashas (worn by local men) and Abayas (for women) are rather elegant (IMHO) and can be quite fashionable and chic.

8. Proper policing of traffic has only recently begun in the UAE.

9. There are a range of nationalities within the UAE including Indonesian, Indian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Egyptian, assorted European, American, Jamaican (Ya Mon!) and Filipino...oh yes and some Emiratis (only 20% of the population though).