I think we are about to learn a lot about our world - Wikileaks...

[Selden]

Prologue:

The year is 2084. All commerce is accomplished digitally. The last shopping mall was demolished 40 years ago. A global war is being waged for ultimate control of all digital commerce and knowledge, by the Terhackerists, formed in the ancient year of 2011 when the terrorists and hackers joined forces in a synergistic merger. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101208/ap_on_hi_te/wikileaks

The USE (United States of the Earth) is powerless to stop them....it seems.....

See also Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel, Snow Crash:

 

...In this hypothetical future reality the federal government of the United States has ceded most of its power to private organizations and entrepreneurs. Franchising, individual sovereignty and private vehicles reign (along with drug trafficking, violent crime, and traffic congestion). Mercenary armies compete for national defense contracts while private security guards preserve the peace in gated, sovereign housing developments. Highway companies compete to attract drivers to their roads rather than the competitors', and all mail delivery is by hired courier...

As a librarian, I was rolling on the floor at the part where the CIA and Library of Congress merged and became a publicly-traded company, the CIC, whose primary business is buying and selling information. Maybe this belongs in the "Decline of America" thread, as it's eerily prescient.

[Twisties]

Some informed discussion of the legal situation as applies to US attempts to prosecute.

[hootowl]

Interview with Assange filmed july 2010

[Twisties]

FBOW.

 

Wikileaks info coming out - NYT synopsis

 

Looks like there will be some blockbusters.

 

So, you know the rules: Political Threads: What keeps them open...

 

What do you think? Is this good, bad or indifferent? How large an impact are we likely to see: A passing storm, or fundamental upheavals and long lasting impacts? What kind of impacts: Is the day of government secrets over? Will we see a war or cold war as a result of this, or what?

 

Red Tape Chronicles - Email Security, HBGary, Anonymous, Tactics, and the Future...

 

So it seems we are beginning to see effects in Wisconsin, at HBGary, and a glimpse into the mindset of these people. An interesting read that begins to answer some of the long lasting impact questions.