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February 18, 2008 at 07:50:53
US court attacks web freedom; enjoins Wikileaks.org out of existence by Stephen Soldz Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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One of the most important web sites in recent months has been Wikileaks.org. Created by several brave journalists committed to transparency, Wikieaks has published important leaked documents, such as the Rules of Engagement for Iraq [see my The Secret Rules of Engagement in Iraq], the 2003 and 2004 Guantanamo Camp Delta Standard Operating Procedures, and evidence of major bank fraud in Kenya [see also here] that apparently affected the Kenyan elections. Wikileaks has upset the Chinese government enough that they are attempting to censor it, as is the Thai military junta. Now censorship has extended to the United States of America, land of the First Amendment. As of Friday, February 15, those going to Wikileaks.org have gotten Server not found messages. Today I received a message explaining that a California court has granted an injunction written and requested by lawyers for the Cayman Island's Bank Julius Baer. It seems that the bank is trying to keep the public from accessing documents that may reveal shady dealings. Wikileaks was only given a couple of hours notice "by email" and was not even represented at the hearing where a U.S. judge took such a drastic step attempting to totally shut down an important information outlet. The result was this totally unprecedented attempt to totally wipe out the existence of Wikileaks: "Dynadot shall immediately clear and remove all DNS hosting records for the wikileaks.org domain name and prevent the domain name from resolving to the wikileaks.org website or any other website or server other than a blank park page, until further order of this Court." There have, of course, been previous attempts by the U.S. Government and others to block publication of particular documents, most famously in 1971 when the Nixon administration attempted to stop publication by the New York Times of excerpts from the Pentagon Papers, leaked by Daniel Ellsberg. But trying to close down an entire site in this way is truly unprecedented. Not even the Nixon administration, when they sought to block publication of the Pentagon Papers, considered closing down the New York Times in response.
If this injunction stands, it will set an incredible precedent for all of us who use the web to unveil misbehavior by the rich and powerful. Fortunately, Wikileaks is fighting this unconstitutional attack on press freedom, aided by six pro bono attorneys in San Francisco. While Wikileaks has so far not issued any particular call for support, all who value freedom should stand ready to offer whatever support they need.
Meanwhile, Wikileaks still exists. Its founders, knowing that governments and institutions will go to extreme lengths to censor the truth, have created an extensive network of cover names from which one can access their materials or continue leaking the secrets of governments and the corrupt rich and powerful. Thus, everything is available at Wikileaks.be, among other names. Let the leaks continue!
http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/
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They have control....
of the MSM and now mark my word here today, ANYONE that stands against the status quo will be labled a "Homegrown Terrorist" and find yourself in Gitmo. The time is approaching fast that very hard decisions will have to be made. by Michael Morris (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 16 diaries, 316 comments [4 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 8:21:08 AM  (0+)
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I agree with Michael Morris
The time is fast approaching when we will indeed have to make a choice between what is easy and what is right. I hope we are all ready for will happen when we stand our ground. by Pat Dazis (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 24 comments) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 12:32:07 PM (0+)
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MSM ignores censorship
If you do a news search for this court decision, one comes up with no American mainstream media covering it. BBC is the only major media source that is covering the story. Unprecedented censorship by an American court, and the American MSM hush up the story. by Bill Samuel (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 445 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 1:06:33 PM (0+)
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US court
The judge who granted the injunction should be reported to the Judicial Council for sanction. The rights and duties of the fourth estate are involved in this matter and should have been protected. by Archie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1750 comments [111 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 1:11:36 PM (0+)
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My article on InfraGARD
is not being indexed. the number accessing my site has dropped by nearly 100% in the past two days. There is now a warning to everyone that my site (nearly 3500 items) will damage their computers. The infragard article ran on mparent 7777-2.blogspot.com - the number one blogger.com blog, yet that article is NOT indexed. The one I mirrored on Dandelion Salad does show up that is ALL. I called The Progressive to run that article and they were very rude about it so I have sent it on somewhere else but have not heard back. That and my special prosecutor both contain very very important legal information and are collaborative efforts. This special prosecutor information is specifically designed to give people an idea of what issues to supply to the INternational Criminal Court. The InfraGard information is very important as it tells people what to do in the upcoming forfeitures. I try to be a spiritual person at ALL TIMES, but today has me growing increasingly concerned for my own safety, so I am posting this publically so that comment is DOCUMENTED. I have posted about my concerns as of last week on commondreams, as other people were detecting this same internet inference problem besides just myself. Virginia I will repeat, people should read both those articles. The information in BOTH may prove useful in upcoming days. by ladybroadoak (39 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 394 comments) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 2:38:08 PM (0+)
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Reply: Be Afraid..............
I have allready had the "men in black" bang on the door..... by Michael Morris (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 16 diaries, 316 comments [4 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 5:56:33 PM (0+)
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Thank you!
Thank you for this timely information. Does anyone still think HR 1955 was not about Internet censorship? by Barbara Peterson (73 articles, 109 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 541 comments [98 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 3:21:37 PM (0+)
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Information wants to be free
I don't know who said it, but there was a quote about how the internet was DESIGNED, and why... "The internet interprets censorship as a breakdown of the network and routes around it." You are right that we may have to make some tough decisions in the next 10 months. And we may have to work a little harder. by Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 747 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 4:04:15 PM (0+)
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Freedom of the Press ?
Whatever happened to "Freedom of the press shall not be infringed."? Clearly, no court in the United States has the authority to order any publication not to publish. The court has clearly exceeded its authority. The publisher should ignore the order, and appeal the decision. In the mean time, the material can be published through other channels. I expect most of the newspapers in the nation will lend copy space. by Stephen Hansen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 7:19:45 PM (0+)
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hmmm
very werd...I was using stumble and their site came up at this link... http://wikileaks.cx/wiki/Wikileaks there is also an entry for today. by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 8:05:01 PM (0+)
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Reply: main page still up
http://wikileaks.cx/wiki/Wikileaks by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 at 10:15:54 AM (0+)
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site worked fine for me; however,
I didn't check out your article on the site, Wki...(i.e., InfraGuard) as I read it in here(op-ed). It's sounds like a bit of "fear"mongering going on in some of these posts. You know what? It doesn't work on me when Bush does it, and it won't work on me when posters do it. I accessed that site thru Cheri's post and it uploaded fine. I wasn't aware of that site so this has been beneficial for me. THAT'S exactly what THEY want to stop. Getting the info out and they are doing a damn good job in curtailing it in Corpstream Media. I tell ya, think McCain can maybe summon Prescott Bush from the dead, so he can have the whole damn families' support? Sheeesh. The whole Bush crew is endorcing him. Makes perfectly sense the cliche'that "Mac is Bush on roids". That bill sitting on the Hill regarding the Internet is going to stop most of these sites. "Fascism is when corporations yield more power than Government"~~FDR. We the ppl, ARE the Government (by representation) and this is not Democracy but Fascism. by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 9:11:17 PM (0+)
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Reply: I applaud you Shirly
If we let them fearmonger us, they win. They want to use fear to silence us and make us crawl under some rock. I refuse. by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 at 10:09:42 AM (0+)
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So it begins ...
We're just an incident away ... if impeachment isn't within 3 weeks, at most, hang it up - once MSM goes peddle-to-the-metal on Sham-paign 08', they could have public executions and MSM wouldn't report it. God forbid the Shell Game's ploy doesn't happen while bush is in Africa ... where's cheney this week? Thanks a lot ... now my anxiety level has jumped 110% - I was already paranoid. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Monday, Feb 18, 2008 at 9:51:15 PM (0+)
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Reply: Turkey
I believe Cheney s in Turkey this week. I would speculate that he is there to threaten them over the Sibel info, i.e. help us invade Iran and we will leave you alone...for now. by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 at 10:11:13 AM (0+)
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Full correspondence bewtween Wikileaks and Bank Julius Baer
still available and dated today: by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 at 10:19:41 AM (0+)
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Ok what's the deal?
Everything I click on wiki leaks works fine for me still as of this morning....??? by Cheri Roberts (16 articles, 15 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 435 comments) on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008 at 10:21:31 AM (0+)
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