WikiLeaks' First Scalp -- Tunisia

[Darius871]

Seeing that Wikileaks' global political interests seem to mirror those of the US, I'd expect to see a lot more of it.

Gee, how did I immediately guess you'd oh-so-conveniently truncate that quote to suit your preconceived notions?

[W]e...expect to be of assistance to those in the west who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their own governments and corporations[.]

[Dinner]

That's not an answer to the question. Why should the US care about the level of democracy in other countries where our interests are already being served and there are costs to upsetting the apple cart? This is especially true in countries where the only really choice of opposition is the Army or the Muslim Brotherhood.

There are short term costs and then there are long term costs. The long term costs seem to always find a way to become larger then the short term costs so instead of worrying about the short term costs of letting people forfill their aspirations the US should be more concerned with the long term costs of trying to obstruct those aspirations by supporting dictators.

[Dinner]

It's a little different in Egypt than Iran. The US gives a couple billion dollars a year to Egypt, as an example.

Over the last 30 years it has averaged $2.3 billion per year (80% military aid) but now it is down to around $1.3 billion per year but there really is no argument that the US has not been supporting the Mubarak dictatorship. We certainly have and political and military support account for much more psychologically then just sheer dollars though those dollars count especially when they take the form of tanks.

[HalfLotus]

Gee, how did I immediately guess you'd oh-so-conveniently truncate that quote to suit your preconceived notions?

Except that also can serve particular US political interests, depending on who's doing the leaking, and who's being outed.

Wikileaks has been presented as some radical, anti-American intel operation, when at the same time their primary political interests are identical to the U.S'. Lol!

[DinoDoc]

There are short term costs and then there are long term costs. The long term costs seem to always find a way to become larger then the short term costs so instead of worrying about the short term costs of letting people forfill their aspirations the US should be more concerned with the long term costs of trying to obstruct those aspirations by supporting dictators.

If there's a real force of organized opposition other than the Muslim Brotherhood which has been afraid to show its hand thus far, I might be willing to agree with you. But so far I'm not seeing any real evidence of that and worry about the consequences of a sudden collapse of the Mubarak regime might have for US policy in particular and in the region at large and I don't see the value in confusing hope with realism in looking at thus situation.

[HalfLotus]

Given that the Muslim Brotherhood has been tied to western intel agencies throughout its history, I'm guessing that whatever comes of this regime change/revolution, will in the end serve U.S./western interests.

[Egbert]

I hear the Muslim Brotherhood are moderates, relatively secular, no involvement in terrorism. I am not sure how reliable all this is or what laws they might pass if they become the next government. Anyway, they are certainly not in the same category as ther Taliban. I am not concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood getting into power, they sound O.K. NB I am not going so far as to actually praise them.

[Lorizael]

Given that an organization not involved with the current political instability exists in the same world as a government I don't like, I'm guessing that the current political instability will result in something that benefits the government I don't like.

Fixed that for you.

[HalfLotus]

Thanks, Lori. As you know, I don't speak NPR.

[Lorizael]

Yes, you're only fluent in Coast to Coast AM.

[Hauldren Collider]

I hear the Muslim Brotherhood are moderates, relatively secular, no involvement in terrorism. I am not sure how reliable all this is or what laws they might pass if they become the next government. Anyway, they are certainly not in the same category as ther Taliban. I am not concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood getting into power, they sound O.K. NB I am not going so far as to actually praise them.

You really are braindead. Muslim Brotherhood is the political wing of Hamas.

[C0ckney]

you are so ignorant HC.

[giblets]

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mubarak Mu Problems - Samer Shehata
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> Video Archive

As it turns out Samer Shehata, from the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University, is braindead because he thinks the Muslim Brotherhood is moderate. Really I don't understand why Colbert didn't interview a high schooler from Virginia.

[Al B. Sure!]

You really are braindead. Muslim Brotherhood is the political wing of Hamas.

No they're not.

Hamas is a Palestinian organization that grew out of the philosophies of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Seriously. Look this stuff up. I already called you out on it days ago when you claimed Hamas would get elected in Egypt.

[Imran Siddiqui]

To wit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Brotherhood

Since its inception in 1928 the movement has officially opposed violent means to achieve its goals,[4][5] with some exceptions such as in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or to overthrow secular Ba'athist dictators in Syria where they were routinely massacred (see Hama massacre). Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor, says "Unlike the jihadis, it does not believe it is at war with the West. It is conservative and non-violent," [6] and "untested in government and poorly understood - especially in the West"

The Brotherhood condemned terrorism and the 9/11 attacks