Is it hypocracy to claim open government is at risk because of leaked documents?

[Maximus Zeebra]

To be clear — such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals, and people around the world who come to the United States for assistance in promoting democracy and open government

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40412689/ns/us_news-security

Is this not a blatant lie? How could documents who show the people what really goes on in government be considered a threat to open government(but secretive).

Should the government itself not disclose to people what it is doing? And if activities is leaked, this is certainly promoting open government.


I guess only in fascist countries with things to hide can revelation of government activities be conceived as a threat to a fake open government.

Is this true or not?

 

[Patria Antiqua]

Government should be translucent, not transparent.

 

[Hatuey]

U.S. scrambles to contain WikiLeaks fallout - U.S. news - Security - msnbc.com

Is this not a blatant lie? How could documents who show the people what really goes on in government be considered a threat to open government(but secretive).

Should the government itself not disclose to people what it is doing? And if activities is leaked, this is certainly promoting open government.


I guess only in fascist countries with things to hide can revelation of government activities be conceived as a threat to a fake open government.

Is this true or not?

.... haha. Yes... only in fascist governments. Well I see one statement that is blatantly false.

 

[cpwill]

:roll: yeah; never ever should any government have classified information.

while we're at it, no individuals should, either.

i await Maximux Zeebra's posting of his full name, birthdate, address, and all the necessary identification for us to order credit cards....

 

[American]

The poll is completely messed up. The choices don't make sense and don't include all reasonable option. Obviously the government should have some secrets. It would be impossible to defend the nation otherwise.

 

[Kandahar]

Clinton: U.S. 'deeply regrets' WikiLeaks disclosures - U.S. news - Security - msnbc.com

Is this not a blatant lie? How could documents who show the people what really goes on in government be considered a threat to open government(but secretive).

Should the government itself not disclose to people what it is doing? And if activities is leaked, this is certainly promoting open government.


I guess only in fascist countries with things to hide can revelation of government activities be conceived as a threat to a fake open government.

Is this true or not?

It's a threat to open government because it discourages candor. A central point of open government is for people to be able to express their opinions without fear of retribution. This undermines that, and could discourage diplomats/informants/officials from speaking candidly with one another in the future, for fear that their words will end up in a WikiLeaks document.

Leaking government documents is all well and good when it's done to expose wrongdoing or potential wrongdoing, or when it's done to hold the government accountable. But when it's done just for the hell of it, with no regard for the consequences, it certainly puts open governance at risk.

And your poll options suck.