Will WikiLeaks unravel the American 'secret government'?

[Ed Jewett]

Oh Ed, I want to send you a cake with a big file in it so you can escape that lunatic asylum over there and be free of the idiots. :willy:

Thanks, Magda, but the cake with the big file in it will not get past recently-imposed security restrictions on packages entering this country. And a friend of mine who works as a janitor inside the Beltway said he saw a recent draft systemwide memo over at the Der Heimat Staatspolizei alerting everyone to the old trick of files in cakes and suggesting backscattering the frosting with hair dryers and then the use of magnets.

But I do have two long-range plans:

1) I am going to write to Obama and ask him for a pardon and relief (he just pardoned someone for coin mutilation -- see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/us/pol...ardon.html)(probably setting the precedent for future pardons for the banksters);

2) my friend the janitor thinks a friend of his might be able to hide me in the middle of one of those pallets full of $100,000 bills being shipped to overseas banks. (No word yet on whether I will be laundered enroute.)

[Magda Hassan]

I believe he pardoned 2 turkeys recently.

[Ed Jewett]

I believe he pardoned 2 turkeys recently.

Yes, and then he hired them as foreign affairs interns to be ready when Hilary resigns next month.

[Peter Lemkin]

US embassy cables vindicate Litvinenko murder claim, says widow

Unlikely Vladimir Putin was not aware of killing, suggests cable written by a top US diplomat two weeks after 2006 poisoning

Luke Harding and Tom Parfitt in Moscow
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 December 2010 17.23 GMT
Article history

Alexander Litvinenko accused Vladimir Putin of his assassination as he lay dying. Photograph: Natasja Weitsz/Getty Images

The widow of Alexander Litvinenko said that leaked US diplomatic cables vindicated her long-standing claim that Vladimir Putin had authorised her husband's murder.

In secret conversations with the French, the top US diplomat Daniel Fried said it was unlikely Putin was not aware of the operation to poison Litvinenko with polonium, "given Putin's attention to detail".

Fried also dismissed the idea that rogue criminal elements were to blame. The Russians were behaving with "increasing self-confidence to the point of arrogance", he added, in a classified cable revealed yesterday.

In a statement to the Guardian today, Marina Litvinenko said the cable – written two weeks after her husband's death in November 2006 – confirmed her assertion this was a Kremlin-authorised operation.

She said: "There is some satisfaction in seeing what we have all known to be true documented so officially, and I would add brutally by being so matter of fact in its description. It brings me a little closer to achieving truth and justice for my late husband.

"For years we have been trying to get the authorities in the west to view my husband's murder as a state-sponsored crime. Now it appears they knew it all along."

Marina Litvinenko recalled that while dying her husband had accused Putin of the poisoning, calling it "Vladimir Putin's work".

"Now the whole world knows and can see the truth through the leaking of these official US documents,' she said.

Ahead of Fifa's decision to award Russia the 2018 World Cup, Putin's press spokesman today accused US diplomats of having "a perverted understanding of reality".

Dmitry Peskov said that the American officials stationed in Moscow who described Russia as a kleptocracy had failed to grasp the reality of the country. "It's extremely striking that there are diplomats here having such a perverted understanding of reality. It's ignorance ... it's something beyond understanding," he told the BBC.

The Russian foreign ministry said the cables published by WikiLeaks yesterday aroused bewilderment and regret in Russia – but contained no great surprises.

"In our work we are regularly confronted with stereotypes," said a spokesman, Alexei Sazonov, adding that most of the cables were little more than "routine diplomatic correspondence"' between the US state department and its embassies, and would not affect "positive developments" in US-Russian relations. "As for comments on specific subjects, I cannot and will not make any," he said.

The revelations in the cables were made by successive ambassadors in Moscow and published in the Guardian. The blunt reports disclosed by WikiLeaks conclude that Russia is a criminal state dominated by venal and bribe-hungry officials.

Yet, while details of the cables spread quickly through websites and the blogosphere in Russia, television – from which an estimated 70% of Russians get their news – ignored the reports. State-controlled Rossiya made no mention of the allegations in its mid-morning news broadcast Instead, it reported on the Moscow river freezing over, on two Russian tourists being attacked by sharks in Egypt, and on government-employed truck drivers in the US who got drunk while transporting nuclear weapons.

The news agency Interfax did publish extracts from cables alleging that Moscow's recently sacked mayor Yuri Luzhkov presided over a "pyramid of corruption". But Interfax – and other media outlets – remained mute over claims that Putin had "illicit proceeds" from abroad and had amassed a secret fortune.

One Kremlin expert queried the timing of the disclosures and accused this newspaper of plotting to wreck Russia's bid for the 2018 World Cup: "You have to immediately ask how does this benefit the Guardian?"

Dmitry Badovsky, deputy director of the Social Systems Research Institute, told the state news agency Ria Novosti. "You can make several guesses. Why does this information appear on the eve of the choice of which country will host the 2018 World Cup, and in which England and Russia are leading rivals."

Russian state television did give over a large segment to Larry King's interview with Putin, shown last night on CNN.

Asked by King for his response to the assessment of the US defence secretary, Robert Gates – revealed earlier by WikiLeaks – that "Russian democracy has disappeared and that the government is being run by the security services," Putin replied: "I am personally acquainted with Mr Gates, I have met him on several occasions. I think he is a very nice man and not a bad specialist. But Mr Gates, of course, was one of the leaders of the US Central Intelligence Agency and today he is defence secretary. If he also happens to be America's leading expert on democracy, I congratulate you."

King also asked about the 10 Russian "sleeper agents" caught in the US in June and later deported to Moscow. Putin claimed that they had not harmed US interests, adding: "The methods employed by our special services differ in a good way from those used by US special services. Thank God, neither the agents in question or any other Russian intelligence officers are known to have been involved in creating secret prisons, kidnappings, or torture."

The prime minister also warned that Moscow must agree partnership with Washington over a joint missile defence shield. If not, he said, "Russia will just have to protect itself using various means, including the deployment of new missile systems to counter the new threats to our borders, and the development of new nuclear-missile technology." Putin added: "We don't want this. It's not a threat. We are simply talking about what to expect if we can't agree to work together."

The Kommersant newspaper said this morning that Putin's comments showed "Russo-American relations are returning to the rhetoric of the cold war."

[Peter Lemkin]

What I come away with, so far and in general, from the Wikileaks episodes is confirmation of what I have always known, always felt, always seen evidence for and American's generally have been in denial of: that the USG is a criminal enterprise that lies infinitely more than it tells the truth; is more interested in continuing its power and wealth, and control by the few rich/powerful - and not the well-being of the American People and even less those other Humans and living things on the Planet; that we are a cynical Empire rotting away, in the last stages of fetid decay; that there is little distinction between the 'diplomatic' corps and the intelligence apparatus; that the MSM only rarely tells the truth and the Officials almost never; that our much touted liberties, democracy and freedoms were NEVER much really there and are now endangered species; and that they maintain their control over most by fear and now terror. Finally, that there is very little (and closing quickly) 'gap' of difference between our system / polity and those of some we have historically reviled [officially] :listen:

Remember that these are low level [Secret is rather low level] - the real dirt is in Top Secret and Above!!!! - One need not imagine too hard (from those few we have seen in the past) how they read these days. Whoever leaked these should get a Medal Of Honor, but if caught will more likely spend their life in jail or be executed. The treason is on the part of the Governmental lies and deceptions in both words and deeds, and not in someone leaking this.

The chasm between the official pronouncements and what little itty-bitty glimpse we get in the cables and other leaks does make for great concern and at times humor. I await with baited breath those on the bank(s)!!!! For that Assange and Wikileaks are really going to pay if they are equal to or better than the cables!....those who stand to loose money over the exposure of their lies and illegal activities will do ANYTHING to protect that and 'kill the messenger'.

[David Guyatt]

OMG, I'e just caught up on the last 5 pages, since I last looked yesterday evening.

The world has gone completely bare-bollock MAD!

The Emperor's clothes have been torn away to reveal the revolting, stinking, suppurating mass throbbing inside. It's a terrible sight. Such fragility. Such fear. Such guilt!

I offer a thought regarding the intention to make Wikileaks an official terrorist organization. Should that happen, anyone reading Wikileaks worldwide would be guilty of assisting a terrorist organization and will - in all probability - be liable for arrest and - who knows? - rendition (silly me, I mean "extradition" of course).

And based on the massive USG over-reaction yesterday, perhaps "Cablegate" is the new 911 to initiate entirely new draconian controls.

Just a thought.

[David Guyatt]

I know that pic Ed.

[David Guyatt]

The Bullindon Boys on bended knee promise fealty and are sniggered at behind hands for being so pathetic.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...nship.html

WikiLeaks: Britain mocked by US over 'special relationship'
US officials privately mocked Britain’s 'paranoia' over maintaining the 'special relationship', cables released by WikiLeaks suggest.

'This period of excessive UK speculation about the relationship is more paranoid than usual... This over-reading would often be humorous, if it were not so corrosive,' wrote Richard LeBaron
By Andy Bloxham 8:32AM GMT 04 Dec 2010

Richard LeBaron, the US deputy chief of mission, said the obsession with the alliance would “be humorous, if it were not so corrosive”.
He also reported to Washington that it would be “tempting” to take advantage of Britain’s attitude.
The documents show that senior Conservative policians met with members of President Barack Obama's administration before the election to promise a "much more pro-American" regime.
The Tories, including some who are now members of the Cabinet, promised to buy more US weapons and to "fight together" more closely in future.
The documents suggest a faint ridiculing of Britain's attitude to the US, with politicians described as "paranoid" about maintaining the "special relationship" with the US.
The Americans observed that the eagerness to maintain the political understanding "would often be humorous if it were not so corrosive" and that, in theory, the US could take advantage to "make London more willing to respond favourably when pressed for assistance".
However, the officials note that it would not be in the long-term interests of the US to do so.
The documents show that Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, met with Louis Susman, the US ambassador, in December last year and "affirmed his desire to work closely with the US if the Conservatives party wins power... adding that "we [the Tories] intend to follow a much more pro-American profile in procurement."
The cable, sent to Washington on December 10, 2009, Mr Susman continued that Dr Fox added "increasing US-UK interoperability is the key" and "expressed confidence regarding US leadership in Afghanistan and optimism about the way forward".
The ambassador reported that Dr Fox refuted claims that the Tories would be "supplicants to" rather than "partners with" the US.
William Hague, now the Foreign Secretary, was keen to convince the US deputy chief of mission, Richard LeBaron, that he, David Cameron and George Osborne were "staunchly Atlanticist".
Mr LeBaron reported, in a cable marked "no foreigners" and sent on April 1, 2008, that Mr Hague informed him he enjoyed holidays in America and had an American sister.
Mr Hague said: "We want a pro-American regime. We need it. The world needs it."
In a later classified report, sent in February 2009, Mr LeBaron questioned the close attention paid by British officials to ostensibly small signals from the US.
One example was President Obama's return of a bronze bust of Winston Churchill to the British Embassy shortly after taking office. It had been loaned to George W Bush after the September 11 attacks.
He wrote: "The British ask, is our special relationship still special in Washington?
"More than one HMG [Her Majesty's Government] senior official asked embassy officers whether President Obama meant to send a signal in his inaugural address about US-UK relations by quoting Washington during the revolutionary war [against Britain], while the removal of the Churchill bust from the Oval office consumed much UK newsprint."
He added: "This period of excessive UK speculation about the relationship is more paranoid than usual... This over-reading would often be humorous, if it were not so corrosive."
Mr LeBaron continued: "Though tempting to argue that keeping HMG off balance about its current standing with us might make London more willing to respond favourably when pressed for assistance, in the long run it is not in US interests to have the UK public concluding the relationship is weaking, on either side.
"The UK's commitment of resources - financial, military, diplomatic - in support of US global priorities remains unparalleled."

Having reflected about this, I have the obvious solution to this problem.

Grow some balls and tell Uncle to fuck off.

[Magda Hassan]

It is quite treasonous actually and they should be called on it. No wonder the Yanks sniggered at them. They are quite pathetic and spineless. If they like the US so much and want to work for it they should move there and get elected there. Also, I can't imagine what they offered the US since Blair practically up their arse and was the roving Foreign Minister for the US and such a loyal poodle himself always rolling over for them.

[Peter Presland]

OMG, I'e just caught up on the last 5 pages, since I last looked yesterday evening.

The world has gone completely bare-bollock MAD!

The Emperor's clothes have been torn away to reveal the revolting, stinking, suppurating mass throbbing inside. It's a terrible sight. Such fragility. Such fear. Such guilt!

I offer a thought regarding the intention to make Wikileaks an official terrorist organization. Should that happen, anyone reading Wikileaks worldwide would be guilty of assisting a terrorist organization and will - in all probability - be liable for arrest and - who knows? - rendition (silly me, I mean "extradition" of course).

And based on the massive USG over-reaction yesterday, perhaps "Cablegate" is the new 911 to initiate entirely new draconian controls.

Just a thought.

Quite a spectacle isn't it?

And the rabid demands for Assange's execution are something to behold. I really do struggle to understand the visceral hatred that underlies them. Understand or not though, it is precisely that mindset in a large proportion of the population that is the enabler of the whole US/UK/NATO criminal enterprise. So, TPTB nurture, stir and stoke it at every opportunity.

My big problem is that I also struggle to get a handle on the numbers who are waking up to their status as sheep and are prepared, having due regard for the potential consequences, to do something about it.

I fear it is far fewer than needed to thwart what is planned though. I also agree that Wikileaks (ie Collateral murder, Afghan war logs, cablegate, the pending bank stuff plus the Insurance.aes256 file) may indeed turn out to be the new 911 - and that we are currently at the apex of the free dissemination and exchange of information.