Media outlets are reporting that WikiLeaks lost several thousand Twitter followers in the first few hours following the publicizing of a series of subpoenas which showed that the Justice Department was seeking information on a number of WikiLeaks associates as well as the people who regularly read their twitter feeds.
Such attempts were likely futile, after all the subpoena would still cover those people as “receiving” WikiLeaks data whether or not they are current “followers.” It does however point to the climate of fear surrounding the Obama Administration’s determination to move against the whistleblower, which Vice President Joe Biden accused of terrorism.
The documents show that the Justice Department was hoping to obtain not just IP addresses, but mailing addresses and banking information from the people involved. The later seems to be futile in this regard, as Twitter would not even have the banking data of its users.
The Twitter company has been praised, as the site did not simply comply with the secrecy order associated with the massive demand but instead challenged it and then informed the targets. WikiLeaks lawyer Mark Stephens says it is believed similar subpoenas were passed to
a number of other companies, including Skype and Facebook, but so far that has not been confirmed.
Why would the USG be interested in the banking data of WL Twitter followers? To ruin them financially as part of the scare tactics the government is employing against its own citizens, of course. Just one more example of the thugocracy we've allowed to flourish in America- and a sad commentary on "The Great American Experiment". Banjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the Continental Congress had decided upon and he replied, "A Republic, madam, if you can keep it." It looks like we've failed our ancestors and our descendents. I wonder how the history books will remember the US; are we doomed to reside in an 18-volume publication in some dusty library? I'm sure "The Rise and Fall of the American Empire" will be written, and probably not too long from now.
Time to start over then . Let's go for a democracy, as opposed to a Republic (which are always about protecting rich people -ask Madison) next time.
When I look at this photo of the leader, all I see now is a liar and an idiot. Another fool who sold out the "American experiment." Ah well, maybe it was just propaganda all along.
Amazing to me how we the idiot people continue to allow this to happen. The govt of the U.S. is lead by fanatics of both major political parties. These two parties are a grave threat to our liberties and a grave threat to the international community. Today it is subpoenas. Tomorrow it is the national security state hauling you off to jail. Just amazing how we have become the very thing that our establishment ostrasizes some countries of doing. We just need to be strong and not fear these cowards.
Obama is a hypocrite of the worse sort. We need a revolution to save ourseveles from this visious government. When Aamericans decide to start punishing our officials, only then will we be free. Right now they control the prosecutors so there is no government crime that is not excused.
Vote Ron Paul and will will see trials for treason and war crimes. Until then, government is nothing but organized violence and criminality.
The documents show that the Justice Department was hoping to obtain not just IP addresses, but mailing addresses and banking information from the people involved.
Banking information…yep. They go for the kill immediately.