# WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange Wants To Spill Your Corporate Secrets **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 30, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356 "2010-11-30T02:17:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 30, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/21 "2010-11-30T05:53:01Z")
> [@Sablicious](#): > > _Anti_…?! 😕 > > I would have thought their position in the ‘marionette hierarchy’ is quite flattering and implied something closer to admiration than any prejudice! 😛 > **NB:** Judaism is a religion not a race. Despite what some may lead us to believe, there _is_ a distinction. You think that saying that Jews run the world is flattering to them? Seriously? Maybe you need to study some history. And what is your point about religion vs race? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![ironbender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba8739/32.png) [@ironbender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ironbender)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/22 "2010-11-30T06:13:25Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > [http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2010/11/29/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/](http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenberg/2010/11/29/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/) > > Does this guy have some kind of overall plan? Is there a reason behind his antics? Does he have some kind of defined goal or endgame? Does he just enjoy being a Gadfly? > > This is different than spilling defense or diplomatic secrets. Is this the act of a hero? A villian? A madman? > > As a secondary question: If he starts to be a problem for large corporations, will his life be worth a plug nickle? Which is more dangerous. screwing with the US of America or the Bank of America? He’s a tool, either being used by or a part of the MIC, which also includes the MSM. This latest leak really brings nothing new to the table, and was most likely sanctioned by US intelligence, as others in the alternative press have stated. These new leaks more or less follow the offical US policy lies. Basically, his so-called leaks are being set up as the real story, and anything else not coming from Wikileaks is to be dismised. It’s all just a part of the on going psy-ops against the American people. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/23 "2010-11-30T06:59:15Z")
I don’t really care what some diplomat said about some muckety-muck. If the petty barbs that were aired on the news are the worst insults of what was released, diplomacy must be really fucking boring. But the “secrets” of Corporate America? Spill ‘em all, I say! Those fuckers want to screw with peoples’ lives by giving their workers drug tests and refusing to hire smokers, I say dig up the dirt on them and put it in fifty-foot neon letters! Serves them right, the assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/24 "2010-11-30T08:54:49Z")
> [@Sablicious](#): > > Given governments answer to the banks, the answer is [obvious](http://i52.tinypic.com/rif4hd.jpg). > [@Sablicious](#): > > _Anti_…?! 😕 > > I would have thought their position in the ‘marionette hierarchy’ is quite flattering and implied something closer to admiration than any prejudice! 😛 > [@Sablicious](#): > > I would have thought their position in the ‘marionette hierarchy’ is quite flattering and implied something closer to admiration than any prejudice! 😛 Pull the other one. I don’t believe for a second that you are unaware ‘Jews run the banks’ is anything but an nasty anti-Jewish stereotype. Nitpicking about the meaning of the word anti-Semitic doesn’t change the meaning of what you said. We have rules against this here, so don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![twistedwords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@twistedwords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twistedwords)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/25 "2010-11-30T16:17:11Z")
All that has happened in our world is that a nice thing called the internet has transpired. There isn’t a single government nor entity on planet earth that can contain the internet. That is the beauty of the internet. The internet has finally shown that you cannot hide from information. That is why it is called **Information Technology**. We are in the information age folks and you cannot run nor can you hide from information. You cannot suppress information in this age. All that has happened in our world is this and its the honest truth. Employers want to treat employees badly these days, so employees have an out now. Employees whether you work in the private or public sector have a way to voice themselves now. It is called the internet and they will do it. There is no more threat from an employee about blowing a whistle. The emloyee will just blow it now. So if you are an employer or anyone that has something to hide. Well, anyone that knows your secrets you better treat them well as they hold your cards. ---
**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 30, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/26 "2010-11-30T16:35:46Z")
Well said \*\*twistedwords \*\*. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/27 "2010-11-30T16:52:17Z")
> [@twistedwords](#): > > There isn’t a single government nor entity on planet earth that can contain the internet. Of course there is – China, for instance. Firewalls at the national borders work, not perfectly, but well enough. Of course, that only affects what can be accessed from terminals **in** China, and not even the Chinese government can control the content of the global Internet. Don’t ask me about UNESCO . . . ---
**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 30, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/28 "2010-11-30T17:18:15Z")
Certainly governments can contain it, but it becomes more difficult to do so as a nation becomes more economically dependent on it. Without _severe_ restrictions it’s difficult to keep information from clever and motivated citizens. Remember all of the photos and videos of the Iranian protests that got out in spite of government efforts to stop them? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/29 "2010-11-30T17:30:20Z")
> [@ironbender](#): > > This latest leak really brings nothing new to the table, and was most likely sanctioned by US intelligence, as others in the alternative press have stated. I’m beginning to suspect that this might be the case. Perhaps this whole leak scandal is a big con job, to give the government an excuse to demand greater control over the internet. If this is the case, then Assange is probably just a “useful idiot,” who is being used to stir up trouble. ---
**Author:** ![twistedwords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@twistedwords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twistedwords)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/30 "2010-11-30T17:57:50Z")
Wrong again people. China cannot contain any information from the internet. This is simply not possible. You can hide messages inside of .JPG’s and any other method of computer language. Here is an example of how to do it. You embed a hidden message inside a picture file from China and you send an email to your friend in the United States. it looks like a ordinary email of a picture, but inside is a message. So you see not even China nor any other country can contain information, as its simply not possible. The only way to stop information is to eliminate it all together and that’s simply never going to happen. ---
**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 30, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/31 "2010-11-30T18:21:23Z")
WikiLeaks chief said in 2009 group had BofA data [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AT40520101130](http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AT40520101130) > [@](#): > > (Reuters) - WikiLeaks has several gigabytes of data from a Bank of America Corp executive’s hard drive, the organization’s founder Julian Assange said in a published interview in 2009. So maybe BofA is the bank he’ll be “turning inside out” soon. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/32 "2010-11-30T18:25:53Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I’m beginning to suspect that this might be the case. Perhaps this whole leak scandal is a big con job, to give the government an excuse to demand greater control over the internet. If this is the case, then Assange is probably just a “useful idiot,” who is being used to stir up trouble. At least, that’s what the **government** thinks . . . heh-heh-heh . . . ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/33 "2010-11-30T18:30:52Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Does he have a cat? He has to sit and stroke a cat to be a supervillian. Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![Zephyurs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dfb087/32.png) [@Zephyurs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zephyurs)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/34 "2010-11-30T18:32:02Z")
I wonder why he’s not releasing corporate information at a faster pace. Another interesting thing: this info is worth a shit ton of money. I guess one of the advantages of having an egomaniacal zealot at your helm is that he’s not prone to corruption… but still, everyone has a price. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/35 "2010-11-30T18:36:05Z")
> [@Zephyurs](#): > > I wonder why he’s not releasing corporate information at a faster pace. It’s called “teasing.” You don’t need to be a TV exec or a prostitute to understand it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/36 "2010-11-30T18:45:27Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I’m beginning to suspect that this might be the case. Perhaps this whole leak scandal is a big con job, to give the government an excuse to demand greater control over the internet. If this is the case, then Assange is probably just a “useful idiot,” who is being used to stir up trouble. Which government? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/37 "2010-11-30T18:46:42Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Which government? See post #16. ::d&r:: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/38 "2010-11-30T19:34:43Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Of course there is – China, for instance. Firewalls at the national borders work, not perfectly, but well enough. Well, I have a nephew living in China right now. He intermittently posts on Facebook through a VPN. I don’t understand the technology, but he has posted some pretty anti-China stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/39 "2010-11-30T20:14:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > “You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.” > > – Scott McNealy > > Surprising it took this long to become apparent that it applies to governments and banks and corporations too. I think the last time you coughed up this quote I asked you to provide your actual name, phone number, Social Security number, homes address and back account numbers. I don’t recall you answering though. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356/40 "2010-11-30T20:27:18Z")
I see him as something like the researcher for a newspaper. He finds out series of documents that he thinks are related to an important news story. The difference is that, instead of showing the research to a few journalists (e.g. a Woodward/Bernstein team investigating something like Watergate), he publishes it online so that anyone can read the source documents and write their own articles based on it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-julian-assange-wants-to-spill-your-corporate-secrets/562356.md?page=3)