WikiLeaks: The Good, The Bad, or the Ugly?

Me being the kind of guy I am, I generally like to have an opinion on any specific issue.  I'm not fool-hardy to think that I'm always right, nor even mostly right for that matter.  I've always kind of accepted the fact that sometimes my opinions might be wishy-washy, that I'm not quite convinced one way or the other, but at least I take a general sense of comfort that I am drawing a (tentative) line in the sounds - somewhere, somehow.

However, now and then, there are issues that pop up, and I can honestly see how it's a either a very good thing or just generally a bane to society.  It frustrates the hell out of me in that that toe is never at any point, it always vacillates - ne'er a stand to make!

WikiLeaks, this whole CONCEPT of WikiLeaks is frustrating the hell out of me in that it is one of these issues.

Quite often in the past, I've been highly critical of WikiLeaks as they disclose information under the thin veil of "freedom of information" that quite literally puts peoples, families and clans lives at risk.  Specifically, there have been documented cases where WikiLeaks has intentionally released the names of informers in the "War Against Terror".  The publication of the names of these people that are proponents for democracy and freedom of speech quite literally puts their lives at risk.  Dissidents aren't generally thought well of in those areas.

There is that, and there is the good that WikiLeaks provides, the objective release of information for the sake of making it public.  Without this approach to the ultimate form of journalism, mounds of documents that were once classified are now available for public consumption.  Even to the extent where the "heroes of democracy" (the western military that is "keeping peace" overseas) are having some pretty despicable acts disclosed.

One of the very basic tenets of democracy is that there is some form or level of free speech.  However, like many other topics, it's not necessarily an absolute.

Now, if I could figure out which side of line to put my tootsie on, I'd be all set!