# Wikileaks has released the documents **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 28, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198 "2010-11-28T19:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/41 "2010-11-29T02:59:50Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > It’s documents like this and the childish assessments of international figures (“Medvedev plays Robin to Putin’s Batman”, Kim Jong-Il is a “flabby old chap”) that really make me question the mentality of the diplomats in general. Are they really serving their countries best interests by making such inane observations? C’mon, you can’t post juicy stuff like that without giving us links to the cables! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/42 "2010-11-29T03:45:57Z")
Five newspapers now possess the trove: here is the [NYT](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/world/29cables.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&src=igw&pagewanted=all) article. Most is old news. But I didn’t know that Italy’s Berlusconi and Vladmir Putin have a tight relationship. “Mr. Berlusconi “appears increasingly to be the mouthpiece of Putin” in Europe.” I knew that Saudi Arabia supported Al Qaeda, but I didn’t know that Qatar was the worst offender. Much of the material though is merely striking for its candor. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/43 "2010-11-29T04:04:45Z")
> [@Sri\_Theo](#): > > "Both sides then > discussed the upcoming delivery of GBU-28 bunker busting > bombs to Israel, noting that the transfer should be handled > quietly to avoid any allegations that the USG is helping > Israel prepare for a strike against Iran.? Shocking! Next we’ll find that there’s Jews over there! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/44 "2010-11-29T07:24:26Z")
Tango is the phonetic “T” in the military alphabet. “T” is for target. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/45 "2010-11-29T09:02:09Z")
Well, what do you know: [Red Crescent smuggled soldiers, weapons for Iran in ambulances](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3991099,00.html). Who woulda thunk dat…Absolute shocker… What has Wikileaks got to do with wiki anyway? It’s not like the users can go in and edit the material or anything. It just appears like a rather sleazy attempt to scrounge some of the goodwill attested to another brand. I think I’m going to open a coffeshop and call it Amnesty National, then everybody will think I’m a really good guy. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/46 "2010-11-29T10:02:16Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > Well, what do you know: [Red Crescent smuggled soldiers, weapons for Iran in ambulances](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3991099,00.html). Who woulda thunk dat..Absolute shocker.. It is only hearsay, mind you, from Mossad. > [@](#): > > What has Wikileaks got to do with wiki anyway? It’s not like the users can go in and edit the material or anything. It just appears like a rather sleazy attempt to scrounge some of the goodwill attested to another brand. You’re confusing “Wikipedia” the brand with a [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki), which is a conceptual technology. Wikileaks uses wiki technology, hence the name. ---
**Author:** ![Sri\_Theo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/47 "2010-11-29T10:37:19Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Shocking! Next we’ll find that there’s Jews over there! > > -Joe Yes much of this has been discussed before, the difference is having proof - which makes all the difference in international relations. Do you think that evidence of the US already planning strikes against Iran will have no effect upon other states if the US does seek to invade. This being revealed has helped to limit US options. It also justifies a more bellicose response from Iran and even Iranians that are anti-government will still be worried. Also I believed that I asked for all the “what’s all the fuss about, eh?” posts to go in another thread. There’s lots of them. ---
**Author:** ![Camus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/48 "2010-11-29T10:46:46Z")
> [@Sri\_Theo](#): > > Yes much of this has been discussed before, the difference is having proof - which makes all the difference in international relations. Do you think that evidence of the US already planning strikes against Iran will have no effect upon other states if the US does seek to invade. This being revealed has helped to limit US options. Plans for strikes in Iran would originate in the Department of Defense, not the Department of State, and there doesn’t appear to be anything in the cables that indicates the existence of an actual operational plan. Presidents Bush and Obama have either stated or implied at various times (and/or through their spokespeople) that military strikes on Iran are possible, just not imminent. If anything, the cables reveal that the leaders of many Arab states have outright desired and requested a US strike against Iran. Previous news stories have typically only suggested that Arab capitals were merely alarmed and distrustful of Iran and its nuclear activities. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/49 "2010-11-29T10:51:58Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > It is only hearsay, mind you, from Mossad. That goes for all the released material. Which rather sounds mostly like bits of international celebrity and gossip news: The Saudis are pissing themselves over the Iranian nuke program. The Egyptians wants the Americans to bomb the Iranians. The Pakis are playing on multiply horses and the Americans thinks they may be cheating on them and are worried that the Pakistani nukes may end up in the hands of Mullah Omar. Colonel Qadhafi prefers voluptuous blondes – who don’t. The Chinese are getting miffed with the Dear Leader. The Americans are snooping on the UN and the Chinese are snooping on the whole world. Putin and the mob are bff. Prince Andrew behaves inappropriately and the German Chancellor is boring. How very interesting. > [@jjimm](#): > > You’re confusing “Wikipedia” the brand with a [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki), which is a conceptual technology. Wikileaks uses wiki technology, hence the name. Well I think they should have called it the Wiki-Enquirer. btw. Bradley Manning, the suspect of releasing the documents, is [gay](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/39058_451553006030_647441030_6476819_3047598_n.jpg). I bet that is going to do wonders for gays in the military. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/50 "2010-11-29T11:04:35Z")
From Denmark: According to Wikileaks, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, previous PM of Denmark & current secretary general of NATO, screwed over Turkey. Servers the bastards right. For backing his candidature to NATO the Turks wanted in return for him to close down the Kurdish tv-channel Roj, sending from Denmark. He said: yeah, sure thing. And never looked back. All in all, I find the most noticeable element of the leaks to be how little they appear to damage US interests, and how much they embarrass a number of other not particular agreeable nations. Just the same as with the first batch of releases. The CIA should put Assange on its payrole. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/51 "2010-11-29T11:56:38Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > It is only hearsay, mind you, from Mossad.You’re confusing “Wikipedia” the brand with a [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki), which is a conceptual technology. Wikileaks uses wiki technology, hence the name. I think you need to read a little further down. > [@](#): > > A wiki invites all users to edit any page or to create new pages within the wiki Web site, using only a plain-vanilla Web browser without any extra add-ons. He may be using wiki software, but he’s not using the actual wiki concept unless users can edit. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/52 "2010-11-29T12:34:00Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > All in all, I find the most noticeable element of the leaks to be how little they appear to damage US interests, and how much they embarrass a number of other not particular agreeable nations. Just the same as with the first batch of releases. The CIA should put Assange on its payrole. hang on…this all fits. No material damage for the US, nothing that anyone didn’t think was already going on, plenty to embarrass other countries, The leaks show the USA being “strong like bull”…who really benefits here? Will the CIA suddenly want billions to beef up security and handle the fallout? Oh, we are through the looking glass here gentlemen, wheels within wheels. Riddles within enemas, who’s zoomin’ who? And this shadowy Assange figure? like that…poof!..he’s gone. (I’m not serious, but still…) ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/53 "2010-11-29T12:46:43Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I think you need to read a little further down. > > He may be using wiki software, but he’s not using the actual wiki concept unless users can edit. True, but so what? I’m not sure that it’s really relevant to anything. There is no connection between Wikipedia and Wikileaks. Maybe Wikileaks was trying to take advantage of the popularity of Wikipedia, or maybe Assange or someone working with him didn’t really understand the wiki concept. Who knows? Wikipedia does seem to be concerned about people connecting them. Notice that Wikipedia’s entry on “Wikileaks” has a disclaimer at the top: > [@](#): > > Not to be confused with other websites such as the Wikipedia or other Wikimedia Foundation or non-Wikimedia Foundation websites that use wiki software and culture. So they apparently are concerned that they may be confused with Wikileaks. That would also explain the public comments by Wikipedia’s Larry Sanger: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13188629&postcount=37](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13188629&postcount=37) ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/54 "2010-11-29T13:23:41Z")
I imagine that the name is a bit of marketing, to convey the impression that Wikileaks, like Wikipedia, is some some sort of cooperative, bottom-up effort, as opposed to the work of one or two people. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/55 "2010-11-29T13:34:52Z")
> [@Sri\_Theo](#): > > That’s very interesting - do you have a link? Sure - [from the coverage in the Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cable-leak-diplomacy-crisis) (just use the find function on the word “relationship”). Doesn’t say anything more than I posted though (and I corrected some of the typos too!). ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/56 "2010-11-29T15:01:38Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I imagine that the name is a bit of marketing, to convey the impression that Wikileaks, like Wikipedia, is some some sort of cooperative, bottom-up effort, as opposed to the work of one or two people. I think you’ve got it. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/57 "2010-11-29T16:12:48Z")
> [@Camus](#): > > Plans for strikes in Iran would originate in the Department of Defense, not the Department of State, and there doesn’t appear to be anything in the cables that indicates the existence of an actual operational plan. Presidents Bush and Obama have either stated or implied at various times (and/or through their spokespeople) that military strikes on Iran are possible, just not imminent. If anything, the cables reveal that the leaders of many Arab states have outright desired and requested a US strike against Iran. Previous news stories have typically only suggested that Arab capitals were merely alarmed and distrustful of Iran and its nuclear activities. Yes, if anything this arguably increases Western options against Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/58 "2010-11-29T16:43:27Z")
Merged **davidm** ’s thread with **Sri Theo** ’s. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/59 "2010-11-29T18:31:36Z")
> [@Camus](#): > > Plans for strikes in Iran would originate in the Department of Defense, not the Department of State, and there doesn’t appear to be anything in the cables that indicates the existence of an actual operational plan. **Of course** an operational plan exists, or several alternative operational plans. The DoD almost certainly has plans on file, periodically updated, for invading **Canada** if necessary; that does not mean Canadians need to be worried. ---
**Author:** ![Sablicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Sablicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sablicious)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198/60 "2010-11-29T22:00:29Z")
You really do gotta love the hilarity of the straw-clutching ‘endangering lives’ punchline the US govt have been futilely trying to drown the leaks out with when they themselves have been making wholesale SAC ```php ``` RIFICES of this very ‘commodity’ for time immemorial[!!](http://instantrimshot.com/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198.md?page=4)