When nothing is private ...

When nothing is private ...

Steubenville Herald-Star: The issue in the WikiLeaks publication of sensitive American diplomatic comments and data isn’t in the “who said what and to whom” tales that have emerged.

The issue really is focused more upon just how anyone with an ax to grind is being given such an easy forum to use, without conscience.

We don’t doubt that the federal government cries too much about endangering operatives in the field when leaks occur in the intelligence community. Every spy in the world would be dead if such claims were true throughout history.

But we do wonder what it means for the world when the private musings of diplomats, as high-ranking as foreign ministers and secretaries of state are now free game for the public.

If nothing is truly private, diplomacy dies. We shudder to say that means wars increase.

If Wikileaks’ embattled founder Julian Assange is right, next will come his leaks on the banking system, on Pakistan and more. The very way of life in the world will shift and not because of a crusade to improve it but because one man’s vision is that there should be a free forum for ax-grinders to disclose the private thoughts and works of others.

Attention needs to be focused on just what happens to the world if leaks are a norm, not an unusual occurrence.