Journalism is Dead. Just Ask Julian Assange

While the charges that Julian Assange turned himself in under were not directly related to WikiLeaks, some people seem to think that locking him up for publishing leaked classified documents, videos, and diplomatic cables would be a good thing. Ironically, these same people say that they support freedom.

The U.S. media is constantly publishing and distributing leaks under the guise of journalism. What Julian Assange does with WikiLeaks is no different (well, except for the technicality that he is not a United States citizen). The same people who criticize WikiLeaks praise the U.S. media when they release the same type of documents.

Just like the U.S. media, WikiLeaks generally does not disclose its sources under any circumstances. People cry out for WikiLeaks to make a full disclosure while praising the U.S. media for refusing the same type of demand.

It's the double standard that you typically see with politics. That's why I don't find it unexpected. In fact, I would have been surprised if this kind of double standard hadn't surfaced.

Condoning an attack on journalism is the same as condoning an attack on one of the four boxes that our founding fathers ensured we would have to protect liberty. Specifically, it is an attack on the Soap Box.

It's not surprising at all which side of the aisle is making this attack. The Republicans have historically focused their attack on the Soap Box and the Jury Box, while the Democrats have focused on the Cartridge Box. While they both seem to like to go after Ballot Box in their own special way, it seems that the Republicans have the upperhand in getting rid of that one.

It's also funny how the majority of Americans scream "innocent until proven guilty" at the top of their lungs, but assume a suspect must be guilty once named. That's what the attitude seems to be toward PFC Bradley Manning. While I would hope for a fair trial, we all know that doesn't happen in the military. It wouldn't surprised me if 30 years from now we learned that he was just a fall guy. I'm not saying he's innocent and I'm not saying he's guilty; that's up to the court to decide. It's just that some of the stuff we have been told doesn't add up.