Cablegate
I’m not cheering for the collapse of American diplomacy. Today, music sounds sweeter. I can’t stop smiling. As I watch the internet comprehend what the Guardian has reported today, I hear the same echo: “Yeah, I understand that this an amazing story but no one is going to care.”
I’m laughing because I’ve never been so sure about my disagreement with this sentiment. Everyone is scared about the Korea situation. HA! I’m more interested in what our governments are scared of. They are the ones that decide for war. For the first time in history, we are going to freely read the workings of diplomacy from the most powerful countries on the planet. This is how and what governing humans on the planet Earth communicate. Much of it we already knew, some might say. But what they forget is that we have only learned opinion to back those notions. Today we have the hard facts about Saudi pressure on the US for a war with Iran. How about these gems:
“The cables name countries involved in financing terror groups, and describe a near “environmental disaster” last year over a rogue shipment of enriched uranium. They disclose technical details of secret US-Russian nuclear missile negotiations in Geneva, and include a profile of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who they say is accompanied everywhere by a “voluptuous blonde” Ukrainian nurse.”
“The cables published today reveal how the US uses its embassies as part of a global espionage network, with diplomats tasked to obtain not just information from the people they meet, but personal details, such as frequent flyer numbers, credit card details and even DNA material.”
“The most controversial target was the leadership of the United Nations. That directive requested the specification of telecoms and IT systems used by top UN officials and their staff and details of “private VIP networks used for official communication, to include upgrades, security measures, passwords, personal encryption keys”.”
“At the start of a series of daily extracts from the US embassy cables – many of which are designated “secret” – the Guardian can disclose that Arab leaders are privately urging an air strike on Iran and that US officials have been instructed to spy on the UN’s leadership.”
“These include a major shift in relations between China and North Korea, Pakistan’s growing instability and details of clandestine US efforts to combat al-Qaida in Yemen.”
… and there’s probably more to come. I didn’t even highlight everything. So, apathetics, cynics, and naysayers… I say this to you:
This information is more powerful than your opinion of its ability to make an impact. Maybe you think it won’t make an impact because the American public won’t care. I’m saying that you missed the gravity of this leak. This is bigger than majority opinion. This is now in the historical record and what ever we do now, whether it’s something good or nothing at all or whatever, well that’s something. Our actions now must be judged based on what’s out there for us to decide upon.
My personal hope is that we will begin to realize Chomsky’s insights from “Manufacturing Consent”. That the media establishment is out for your mind and your opinion to lean towards the benefits of the power elite.
But I am open and willing to understand what will actually happen in the world after today outside of my hopes and opinions. I just think that if your mind is open, you have much to hope for today.
Good luck, humanity.
