Lieberman Praises Companies Helping Him Try To Censor Wikileaks
from the censorship-is-the-in-thing dept
This should hardly comes as a surprise, but Senator Joe Lieberman has apparently put out a statement, along with Senator Sue Collins, praising companies for following through on their political pressure to try to censor Wikileaks, calling them "good corporate citizens," and saying that people should support those companies for their willingness to bow down to government pressure. Yeah, okay. Even the press reporting on this seem to think Lieberman is simply making stuff up. Witness this paragraph from Wired:"The WikiLeaks data dump has jeopardized U.S. national interests and the lives of intelligence sources around the world," Lieberman said, though there is no proof or even detailed allegations that the release has endangered any intelligence source.Lieberman apparently wants the world to believe that censorship is okay because "this is no time for business as usual." It appears that Lieberman really wants to go down in history as the Senator who favors censorship of the press and US companies. Quite a legacy.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: censorship, joe lieberman, sue collins, wikileaks
Companies: amazon, mastercard, paypal, visa
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
2012 is right around the corner...
If Joe had his way, I wouldn't even be able to put this ad on television unless it was government approved. This is not China, Joe!
Fun times ahead, I tell ya.... fun times.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
"Joe Liberman, he really pissed off a 16 year old in Amsterdam".
Sorry, Joe is right. Sometimes it is hard to believe, but you have to choose the good of the many over the good of the few. With 200,000 or so soldiers in action around the world, working to keep confidential documents out of the other side's hands is a good thing.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Nevermind the civil backlash when people find out how much the gov't is helping american corporations do truly despicable things, like sell young boys into sex slavery.
So yeah, getting rid of those documents is an extremely legit concern for Lieberman.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
This spring, the State Department inspector general began investigating whether DynCorp ignored signs of drug abuse among expatriate employees in Afghanistan. A related review into the dancing incident is "substantially completed" and "at this point, no criminal activity has been discovered," said Douglas Welty, State Department inspector general spokesman.
Ebner said the company also had investigated the incident involving the youth, who he said was 17 when he performed a tribal dance at the party. "We took appropriate disciplinary actions as a result of what we felt was managerial poor judgment," he said.
DynCorp fired four senior managers in Afghanistan over the party and other incidents, according to employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation.
This is from July 27th, 2009.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
What they really hate is that all this exposes their level of corruption. It would scare anyone crapless. Especially those who have lots to lose over their ridiculous actions.
Your reap what you sow.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Double-Dealing in Germany
The US diplomatic cables now reveal just how accommodating the Germans were in their behavior toward the Americans. On Feb. 1, American diplomats in Berlin were hectically making calls to people all over Germany in an effort to figure out just how serious German efforts to investigate the CIA abduction were at the time. That evening, they relayed their impressions in cables to the State Department, the Department of Justice and the National Security Council. Given the enormous risks involved in the case to both the CIA and the American government, the report was to be delivered immediately to all three agencies.
The details that have recently emerged illustrate that Germany was engaged in a bit of double-dealing when it came to the el-Masri case. In public, the German government continued to call for an investigation. But neither the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel nor the Justice Ministry would have touched the hot issue of illegal CIA kidnappings if it hadn't have been for the pressure exerted upon them by the media. Behind closed doors, German officials agreed that el-Masri was apparently merely the unfortunate victim of mistaken identity because of his name. But nobody wanted to have investigations into the CIA, which would surely cause even more damage to already tattered German-American relations.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
US dispatches have cleared up one of the most baffling weapons affairs of the recent past. In 2008, pirates hijacked a ship full of tanks and other military hardware. Kenya apparently intended to send the materiel on to Southern Sudan. But they were unprepared for the US reaction.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Example: Would you consider the temporary safety of a cross walk or traffic life as giving up liberty? It limits the ability of an individual to drive wherever they want. I could go on. It is safe to say that the famous quote does not stand up to the test of time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
A cross walk limits where you can drive? Comedy gold.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
The point of the quote is very relevant in thoday's situation. We have gradually compromising the liberties garanteed by the constitution in order to "fight yesterday's war." The scanners and procedures we're allowing now, against essential liberty, will not be effective in the future; we are trading lasting liberties for safety that will vanish, and in the end we will HAVE neither, regardless of whether or not you believe we "deserve" them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Oh, please do. Wait... let me pop some popcorn.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Moreover, since there's no operational military information in them -- merely diplomats lying ad nauseum -- there is no impact on the troops.
And even if there was: it's an acceptable loss, isn't it? Haven't we, as a nation, already long decided that we're willing to put people in harm's way, to risk their lives? Haven't they -- by volunteering -- accepted that risk? So why the whining now? The time to consider whether or not they might end up harmed was BEFORE we shipped them into a hostile area.
This also naively presumes that people aren't dying for lies every day -- which they are. Maybe it's about time they started dying for the truth.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Wikileaks is a symptom. The non-existent deaths of spies and soldiers is a symptom. The source of the problem comes directly from the people doing these corrupted things. Assange is not the risk here, we are not the risk her. People like Lieberman doing these things and/or covering them up are the ones putting the soldiers at risk. If they did not do these things that would destroy their political careers (possibly worse) if found out then Wikileaks would not be required.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Actually I think the leaks are the parts where the diplomats are telling the truth.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Actually I think the leaks are the parts where the diplomats are telling the truth.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
Or it could just be grandstanding.
I guess we have to wait till next month to find out.
I'm on a horse ...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: 2012 is right around the corner...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Just find me a convenient wall...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Is Senator Joe Lieberman McCarthy Reincarniated?
I have come to the conclusion that our government is responsible for the leak through gross incompetence. Unfortunately, organizations always do their best to place blame for their deficiencies outside the organization.
I have been fighting corporations' agenda for the patent system for over a decade. I have spent over a year in DC in that time in one to two week stints in and it is clear that the culture of Washington is corrosive to the character of politicians.
Not every member of Congress is a corporate puppet, there are many good people who due their best to deliver good government. But it seems that the worst players do rise to the top.
There is no shortage of people willing to whore for corporate interests. Corporations have been running for Congress by proxy for a long time and the Supreme Court has now made it much easier for them to do so.
Ronald J. Riley,
President - www.PIAUSA.org - RJR at PIAUSA.org
Other Affiliations:
Executive Director - www.InventorEd.org - RJR at InvEd.org
Senior Fellow - www.patentPolicy.org
President - Alliance for American Innovation
Caretaker of Intellectual Property Creators on behalf of deceased founder Paul Heckel
Washington, DC
Direct (202) 318-1595 - 9 am to 9 pm EST.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Is Senator Joe Lieberman McCarthy Reincarniated?
"Direct (202) 318-1595 - 9 am to 9 pm EST."
For real?????????????????!!!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Is Senator Joe Lieberman McCarthy Reincarniated?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Is Senator Joe Lieberman McCarthy Reincarniated?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Wikileaks is currently mirrored on 1368 sites
Wikileaks is currently mirrored on 1368 sites
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Wikileaks is currently mirrored on 1368 sites
When it hits 2,000 mirrors
When it hits 3,000 mirrors
The highest number of mirrors
When the human replicated virus know as wikileaks will have filled all hard drives on earth
Which financial corporation and which executives are going to be hung out to dry next month and when the drying will begin.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
@3
the corporations ( whom btw not one has gone bankrupt over this hence died)
vs
THE GOD DAMN WORLD
go look at this link and tell me this is just one 16 yearold moron
http://213.251.145.96/mirrors.html
every nation but hte USA and china is mirroring
WHAT does that tell you mister fancy pants....
YOUR the terrorist nazis
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
@7 all the ambassadors are spies
NOW what the hell the US govt needs CC and DNA for on world leaders is anyone's guess but i am sure the alien conspiracy buffs will have the answers seeing how the USA govt wont tell you
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: @7 all the ambassadors are spies
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: @7 all the ambassadors are spies
Ps:
please vote funny.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Subject
Last I checked, Google is still featuring it in its search via IP address. Last I checked there were thousands of mirrors of the web site. Last I checked there were thousands (and most likely MUCH more) of the cable leaks on bit-torrent.
Yeap. It's all been censored very effectively. Geez it even sounds just as ridiculous when I say that. what a total fucking deludenoid.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If everything were in the open...
* The citizens of the world would have a lot more control of how their government runs.
* Businesses would not make profits on the backs of people, rather they would be forced to make it with honest hard work and innovation.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Shame on you Joe! You are far worse than the most egregious dictator I can think of, Joseph Stalin. At least we knew where he stood! You are a liar, thief, and despicable cockroach! It's time your constituents woke up and put you in your place...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
^
|
pledged
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/manning-defens/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This is Joe Liebermann...
He's damn near ALWAYS been about censorship. I'm not surprised that he's lived it up with Wikileaks. But yes, he, Orrin Hatch, Al Franken, and damn near the entire two party system in the US is filled with greed and corruption.
The only one's I can think are at least decent are Zoe Lofgren, Ron Paul, and the Florida guy who stood up for WL.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Joe Lieberman the human rights violator
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Mr. Lieberman has clearly violated article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In my opinion he's more dangerous to the free world than Osama Bin Laden. There should be an International arrest warrant issued against him.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Joe Lieberman the human rights violator
Nobody is trying to limit anyone's right to express an opinion.
Perhaps this is something you will learn next year when you make it to grade 10.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Joe Lieberman the human rights violator
Last I checked, "information" was broader than just opinions.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Joe Lieberman the human rights violator
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
President of OCP?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Israel
There is in my mind o question that overall Congress has become pretty much unaccountable and that transnational corporate money is incredibly corrosive for the political process.
But bashing Israel and the Jewish people over Lieberman's actions is flat out wrong.
By the way, I am not Jewish and I am not related to anyone who is. My opinion is based on observation.
Ronald J. Riley,
President - www.PIAUSA.org - RJR at PIAUSA.org
Other Affiliations:
Executive Director - www.InventorEd.org - RJR at InvEd.org
Senior Fellow - www.patentPolicy.org
President - Alliance for American Innovation
Caretaker of Intellectual Property Creators on behalf of deceased founder Paul Heckel
Washington, DC
Direct (202) 318-1595 - 9 am to 9 pm EST.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Where's Collins or anyone else?
Is there any report of Collins or any of the other Senators following Leiberman off the Constitutional 'deep end'?
It would be good to know, for those constituents who might not be in Leiberman's district to complain directly.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Where's Collins or anyone else?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Where's Collins or anyone else?
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/132981-lieberman-collins-praise-companies -for-cutting-off-wikileaks
I'm glad to say she's no longer my Senator.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sue
If a public company discriminates against an organization without just cause, is that enough for a lawsuit?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Censoring is abusing your power to silence something. The Great Firewall is censorship. Lieberman abused his role as a representative of the public to attack a foreign organisation, and is calling for them to be silenced, by any means necessary.
If that isn't censorship, I'd love to see what was.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Nope. We're using it quite accurately. Having the government pressure companies to block speech? That's censorship.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
“And, again, why do you prosecute crimes? Because if you don’t–Well, first you do because that’s what our system of justice requires. Second, if you don’t prosecute people who commit crimes, others are going to do it soon and again.”
And here’s Joe Lieberman in 2009, explaining why he opposes any investigation of members of the Bush administration who endorsed and advocated torture:
"We’re opening a door that’s going to make it hard for any administration in the future to get the kind of legal advice that it wants, let alone deal with people who are suspects that may have information in the war on terrorism…
Well, I mean, there’s no end to this if you go on…There is simply nothing to be gained from it and it is going to have a bad effect on every administration of any party that follows in the generations ahead."
Thanks to Matt I. in the comments for the pointer."
http://www.theagitator.com/2010/12/10/joe-lieberman-when-people-commit-crimes-they-must-b e-prosecuted-unless-they-work-for-the-government/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
There is the blurb that will change his tune.
By trying to hide what is in this leak, he hopes to have Dyncorp continue its sex trafficking around the globe.
Standing as a representative of a country that throws people in jail for even owning an anime image, and ignoring the fact the Government is funneling money to a corporation that traffics in children for sex. Does that make him a pimp or the dirty cop getting bribed to look the other way?
It is a dirty tactic, but as they boil every issue down to soundbites, this is what it takes to make people stop and think.
The Government is corrupt at every level, promoting censorship they decry in other countries, and takes its orders from Corporations and advance their agendas at the expense of the people stupid enough to elect them expecting something different.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]