Assange’s latest showed the duplicitous nature of American foreign affairs, not that that really surprised anyone whose read Confessions of an Economic Hitman or other unsanitized history. Now this. About time someone exposed the banks.
In a rare interview, Assange tells Forbes that the release of Pentagon and State Department documents are just the beginning. His next target: big business.
Early next year, Julian Assange says, a major American bank will suddenly find itself turned inside out. Tens of thousands of its internal documents will be exposed on Wikileaks.org with no polite requests for executives’ response or other forewarnings. The data dump will lay bare the finance firm’s secrets on the Web for every customer, every competitor, every regulator to examine and pass judgment on.
(For the full transcript of Forbes’ interview with Assange click here.)
When? Which bank? What documents? Cagey as always, Assange won’t say, so his claim is impossible to verify. But he has always followed through on his threats. Sitting for a rare interview in a London garden flat on a rainy November day, he compares what he is ready to unleash to the damning e-mails that poured out of the Enron trial: a comprehensive vivisection of corporate bad behavior. “You could call it the ecosystem of corruption,” he says, refusing to characterize the coming release in more detail. “But it’s also all the regular decision making that turns a blind eye to and supports unethical practices: the oversight that’s not done, the priorities of executives, how they think they’re fulfilling their own self-interest.”
Yea–biggest fraud in history and still no one in jail (or was there 2-3 convictions a month ago?–thought I heard a few CountryWide Execs got sent up river, but I could be wrong).
I have not yet heard anyone say that there are pro’s and con’s to having secret diplomatic talk. Indeed, State Secrets don’t keep other world leaders in the Dark–only the citizens of the relevant countries are kept in the dark. Thats ok for totalitarians, but what of democracies where “an informed electorate” is the key to making it work??? Would be still be in Iraq and Afghan and in 50 other countries around the world if there were fewer “secrets?”
Assange is a WORLD HERO. I nominate him for every Nobel Category he could possibly fit into. Won’t get it of course. Reserved for war profiteers like Algore and Obama if they aren’t retarded like BushCo.
Ha, ha. Secrets. A childs game for people who don’t want to face reality.
When Assange publishes more of Climate-gate scams, corruption (deadly) in Africa, Iranian communications with terrorist organizations, Chinese organization of enslaving and executing political opponents and Russian state sponsored crime… Maybe Nobel Prize for something. Right now he is one sided. He does not like Western Capitalistic system and attacks it. As such he is on exact same level as Muslim terrorists or Chinese totalitarians. No hero, just scumbag of a new kind.
Whats the over/under on Assange’s “suicide” (two-to-the-head)?
I think I fell into the trap: in fact, there are no secrets. Didn’t most informed people without the bias of personally benefitting from the fraud “know” that the Banks were out of control? Didn’t various regulators get fired for warning about the dangers that were self evident? In good faith: I think so.
Same with any notion that Middle Eastern Leaders “secretly” want the US or Israel to hit Iran. Thats been publicly reported 2-3 times about a year ago.
The whole and entire WikiLeak Brouhaha is a diversion. “We didn’t know, it was a secret.” Just an excuse for “we the people” to feel better about ourselves and our lack of power over our government and the complicity of our idiot families, neighbors, and friends who vote Republican.
Pukes fighting now to repeal the half effort and re-regulating the Banks for their skimming activities that don’t need to be regulated: THEY NEED TO BE OUTLAWED!!!
Thats how bad things are here. Just buying canned food here for the next round of governmental failure.===its no secret.
VERY much interested in hearing the big business corruption thing. I need to contribute to this guys efforts for that.
Let’s expose Karl Rove’s slimy front to funnel billions of corporate dollars into the GOP in order to circumvent disclosure laws. Love to expose that fat ass motherfucker.
I’m not too keen on international and military leaks though. I already know military and espionage are a necessary evil.
From David Frum
But here’s who really should be embarrassed:
• Those who pooh-poohed George W. Bush’s “axis of evil.” WikiLeaks confirms that Iran and North Korea have for years been sharing weapons technology.
• Those who suggest that it’s some “Israel lobby” or Jewish cabal that is driving the confrontation with Iran. WikiLeaks confirms that the region’s Arab governments express even more anxiety than Israel about the Iranian nuclear weapons program.
• Those who have condemned Israel for inspecting or impeding Red Crescent ambulances. WikiLeaks confirms that during the 2006 Lebanon war, Iran smuggled weapons to Hezbollah in Red Crescent vehicles, including ambulances.
• Those who have appeased Red Crescent demands that Israel’s Red Magen David be excluded from international Red Cross organizations. The Red Crescent has been thoroughly penetrated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and is regularly used as a tool of Iranian foreign policy.
• Those who lamented that Israel’s interception of the Turkish blockade-runner Mevi Marmara would alienate Turkey as a key U.S. ally: The U.S. government itself has for years regarded the Turkish government as trending on its own impetus toward anti-Western Islamist radicalism.
• Those who look blank-faced at the origin of cyber-attacks on Google and other crucial U.S. networks. WikiLeaks documents U.S. awareness that at least one cyber-attack on Google was ordered at the highest levels of the Chinese government.
Big Sis Has Her Hands Down Our Pants, But Julian Assange is Free?
#6 – you’re assuming that all the documents that WikiLeaks has published are true to begin with or have any basis in fact.
If WikiLeaks had leaked the report that said the UK thought Saddam Hussein had uranium yellow-cake and WMDs – would that make it true?
That’s why WikiLeaks won’t be taken down. It’s now an ideal disinformation site. How many government reports are produced which are simply wild speculation? Now when these documents get leaked, they become fact. But also easily deniable if necessary.
#6 Mikey – ” Those who pooh-poohed George W. Bush’s “axis of evil.” WikiLeaks confirms that Iran and North Korea have for years been sharing weapons technology.”
Somehow you think this vindicates Georgie? Since you brought his name up again I feel compelled to remind you that he indeed was/is a dumbass. If you would let history chart its own path it will invariably conclude as much.
There is nothing that wikileaks exposed that surprises me. The hubbub is that it is exposed.
– China behind the google thing? Oh please, Duh
– Arabs are fed up with Iran and see it as a threat to the region? Well, gee golly, Gomer.
– Axis of Evil. Wow, amazing observation. Gee Gomer, let’s put in on a loudspeaker to strengthen those governments hand with their own oppressed people.
I can’t wait. These scam artists should go to jail, and perhaps this will help convict some of them.
In the future, perhaps he’ll come up with some details on how “Climategate” in itself was a scam, and how the scientific community KNOW that climate change is on the verge of being irreversible, unless we do something soon.
#10 Dallas the lib – too bad we can’t search back in time for Dallas’s hypocritical outrage over the very same comments when GWB was in power. Fortunately Google does not forget and we can see how the lib media handled these revelations.
Now with BO in power, he changes his stripes and says Golly Gee, everyone knows that Iran is a problem. The classic liberal response that changes with the wind depending on who is in charge.
#3.. two to the head is a must, he can’t mess with the almighty banks
#10 Dallas’s comments remind me of John F Kerry.
Mr. Flip Flop
#12 The issue are not the facts, it’s what the guy in power does about it.
Calling out an “axis of evil” does exactly what again that has any positive result?
Go ahead and pick something I said that was hypocritical. Make it up if you have to.
He did a bank before, some money laundry called BJB. I think he helped take it down.
I think both business and government have brought this on themselves.
It comes from tons of ethics violations with an increasing demand for privacy for organization work product. Whether the claim is national security, trade secrets, or DMCA, there are many instances when it appears that the real reason is fear of getting fired or prosecuted.
The final bit to this already toxic brew are the actual events: a lengthening list of Business/Government leaders who destroy stuff and benefit personally in the process. By straddling the line between stupidity and corruption any sin can be explained.
Assange is an answer the modern problem of secrecy and incompetence/criminality in positions of trust. You might argue that he is a dangerous and misguided answer.
Maybe, but what is a better answer? The courts are connected to both money and politics, so they won’t clean it up proactively. Regulatory authorities take time and focus to build up. News outlets tend to be more interested in keeping their access than risking big stories.
So he is bad, but compared to what else?
How much pressure is Julian under ? To be the frontfigure in this type of media hype the pressure must be enormous. I do not envy him.
The most intressting thing would be to read the email/notes written at governments/fbi/cia right now about him……
The result of other whistleblowers is normaly condemned while the person lives but after his dead he/she will be glorified.
Whatever happens: dvorak rules.
Whatever the outcome, you gotta admit this is at least some pretty interesting political ‘theater’. It’s definitely shown how some unknown character can now come out of the woodwork and point an emperor’s new clothes finger (I just love the way he calls it “personal”) at all those pompous charismatics trying to be our leaders and diplomats. Will it bring any real changes (hopefully for the better) without blowing up? Tune in next episode.
Wow! It’s one thing to hit the American military and another to go after the US State Department.
If he goes after banks, he’ll end up dead!
Despite Bobbo wanting to pin the Medal of Honor on Assange, I’d rather see him arrested for espionage. (BTW, wasn’t he arrested recently on a rape charge? Quick search: Not arrested but warrant issued in Sweden http://thelocal.se/30528/20101130/ ) As others have said, I’d love to see WikiLeaks going after big corps or climate scamologists but when you start passing around government secrets (and it’s not just US secrets involved here) then you’ve crossed a line.
In fact, if he divulged any of his own nation’s secrets (Australia, I think, there might be a nice charge of treason waiting for him at home.
But, of course, this man whom Bobbo thinks is heroic is on the run. He’s on Interpol’s current most wanted list. He’s been offered asylum in Ecuador. He’s been hopping country to country avoiding capture. NATO has asked his passport be revoked so he can be detained. Seems the only people not pissed off at him are Obama, Clinton and Holder. Bunch of do nothings.
Wait! I’m wrong. Eric Holder is NOT a do nothing. He’s flying off to Switzerland to lobby FIFA for the World Cup to be in the USA. Is this a proper thing for an Attorney General to do or is this just another all expenses paid vacation for an Obama favorite? In any case, he’s likely to be just as effective as the Obamameister was at getting the Olympics for Chicago.
Informational asymmetry as a bankable resource keeps getting harder and harder to maintain. Ask any former travel agent. The information Assange is releasing is technically available to anyone. He is just some guy. He is just part of the information plumbing.
Because we perceive him as focused mostly on American secrets, we have come to regard him as a total douche–an impression supported by his consistently smug facial expression.
But like Google, Assange simply illustrates how conventional methods of maintaining secrecy are becoming meaningless.
This has only just begun.
What a cash cow for security firms… he’s like their best friend! Let’s spend some money so this doesn’t happen again!
Banks ? The Ecosystem of THEFT !!! It is afterall where the MONEY IS STORED !!! And what easer way to “make” money than by STEALING IT !!!
#19 BiAnimal – I was with you until you went off the rails with the Obama, Clinton, and Holder crap.
Good for Julian Assange. Although I have noticed that many people doing good works throughout history have been assholes. Julian Assange is a very grating asshole, but he does good work.
#23 MonLaw – I did kind of go off on a tangent, didn’t I? Sorry, it’s nearly 3 a.m. here and I’m waiting for a call from D.C. I’m a little irritable. I still think the trip to Zurich is strange. Send the VP or the SecState or a couple of senators, for god’s sake. Not the AttGen!!! Screw Washington. I’m going to bed.
I would like to see the banking industry eviscerated in public so people can see how deregulating the industry has given them a license to steal.
Should I donate to Wikileaks now our should I wait until it is declared a terrorist organization by our government? I would love to be put on a watch/black list just like people of conscience were back in the 1950s.
Back on the banking topic, Wikileaks will probably just confirm what most people already know about banksters.
Thanks for the link to the interview John, very interesting.
#19, Animby
Did you make all that up by yourself, or did you have some help.
Assange was arrested in Sweden after two women complained of rape. The women retracted the complaint and the it became confused whether they had actually even made a complaint. The charges were dropped. Another prosecutor then picked up the same complaint and got an arrest warrant for Assange. There is now a complaint before the Swedish courts about the prosecutor swearing out an arrest warrant without any evidence or witnesses.
As for this being treasonous, NOT in America. The bar was set with the New York Times and the Pentagon Papers.
NATO has not called for his passport nor would they have the authority to do so.
Obama, Holder, and Clinton have all loudly come out against the release of the documents.
But I think you must have had help making up your crap. There were too many words for you to think up yourself.
Actually, there is no profit (literally) in risk.
Why aren’t the banks lending money?
Because they don’t really have to to generate a profit for themselves.
They just refinance their borrowings from the Fed at a rate that is below what they originally financed it for.
Those lousy interest rates are actually hurting any attempt at wider economic recovery.
Unfortunately the only thing the Fed knows how to do is lower interest rates, ergo the people who might be able to do something constructive with money are currently, uh, taking it up the ass.
Julian Assange is a mere fly in an ointment of the ecosystem of secrecy.
Secrecy is useful to everyone who’s doing shit that they feel they shouldn’t.
From monarchies to military dictatorships to republics to oligarchies to near democracies to corporations*, EVERY government feels they need to have secrets because they would fail the motherhood test. (What your mother do to your ass if she caught you pulling this shit?)
That’s because Bakunin was right when speaking about the morality of states: “Whatever serves to promote its ends is worthwhile, legitimate, and virtuous. Whatever harms it is criminal. The morality of the State then is the reversal of human justice and human morality.”
Every state is fundamentally at its heart criminal.
This goes double for corporations which reflect an amalgam of the lowest common denominator of their CEOs sense of morals, lorded over by bean counters, tax accountants and, not to forget the scum in a ring around the pond, lawyers.
Why are we surprised that Wikileaks can find and release thousands of documents about the treatment of one bunch of criminals by another bunch of criminals?
*) A corporation is the equivalent to a small city state such as the Italian Doges ruled or to a Japanese fiefdom. A modern multi-national is equivalent to an empire that Alexander would have dreamt of.