>>>>>>>>>Sounds to me like the big-wigs in Washington are just pissed because they've been caught looking like idiots doing/saying things they shouldn't and instead of addressing their behavior they push it off on WikiLeaks and blame them.
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>>>>>>>>Given the information that has come out due to the leak, do you really think that is the most important issue?
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>>>>>>>>I would think the possibility of large scale war among numerous countries would be most concerning....if you have the documents (or have read any of the news articles) then you know the information that came out from other countries, not just the U.S. Some of those countries will remove (permanently) the individual or even go to war over some of those issues. This has the potential to do more damage to the safety and security of the WORLD than anything in history or anything the U.S. has done. Those documents are two way communications and a lot are reports of private communications - not just actions the U.S. did or didn't do. Think bigger. Much bigger. You are assuming the world thinks like you do. It doesn't.
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>>>>>>>Obviously I'm not so delusional that I actually think the world thinks as I do. Anyway I wasn't suggesting that the blame-game is the most important issue - it's just the one I was talking about...and I think it's a cop-out to blame Julian Assange for WWIII - blame the guy that actually stole the data and blame the people taking in the communications.
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>>>>>>So you are sitting at a dinner and the Chinese ambassador tells you that his country is tired of the antics of North Korea and the real threat of nuclear weapons as well as a fear of an internal war when the leader passes. He states that China is ready to drop support for North Korea and see a unified country. You, as your job is to report on any information you receive, report it in secure communication to your superiors. Are you guilty? If so, what of?
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>>>>>>Did I misunderstand you?
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>>>>>Yes misunderstood - although I did a poor job of explaining myself.
>>>>>What I'm saying is blame the guy that stole the 'secure' communication...blame the procedure in general...perhaps the Chinese ambassador shouldn't of said such a thing in such a place to begin with???
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>>>>I understand what you are saying and don't disagree on the "punish the guy who stole the information", but do you understand how international relations work?
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>>>I took an International Relations class but it was like 25 years ago, so I'd say proper answer is "no"...but I do understand that the world of communications has changed in the last 25 years and anyone involved with international relations should know that. If something you say at a dinner can start WW3 then perhaps it would be best if...uhhh..ya know...you didn't say it to begin with...at a dinner???
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>>I think we misunderstood each other. I wasn't referring to the setting of "a dinner" per se but private "off the record" discussions that are really "here's what we are thinking and putting feelers out" stuff ....I get what you are saying now :o)
>
>Well if it's supposed to be "off the record" then what the hell is it doing on a record? I know - lets blame WikiLeaks! See my point??
>
>But as you started to point out - International Relations is a seriously complicated business. None-the-less information availability is not like it was even just 20 years ago. Word travels far and fast and wide now. Diplomats and leaders need to face the fact that if you say stupid crap or are trying to stab your neighbor in the back that people are going to find out.

"Off the record" more often means not an official position (yet) but under consideration. Do you really believe that if all confidential communication is no longer a possibility that the world will be better off?