A Fiendish Disregard for Truth Makes Tongues Wag

BBC commentators had just finished saying that the UK government dropping of charges against Katharine Gun for violating the official secrets act, might encourage others to take similar actions. Wouldn't you know it none other than Clare Short leaps to the mike to let Tony Blair have it with both barrels.

Some may argue that spying and eavesdropping is so ubiquitous that it shouldn't come as any surprise. People should be used to it. There is an argument in the case of criminal or terrorist investigations that spying may very well be vital to fight those scourges. But what gets lost in the latter affirmation, is the fact that people have a right to privacy. Especially when they are trying to make difficult decisions about events that will have enormous consequences.

The spying that allegedly went on at the UN wasn't simply about trying to understand the position of the various world leaders and diplomats. The intelligence arms of the US and UK were undoubtedly fishing for dirt they could "use" to pressure the various sides. Simply arguing the case for war wasn't enough, they had to try to rig the outcome. That kind of underhanded behavior bespeaks the essence of the attitude among the US and UK governments during the lead up to the Iraq War. They wanted the war and were prepared to go to illegal lengths to get others onside. While dressing themselves in truth and honesty, both Bush and Blair soiled themselves with lies and deception.

That there were people in the know brave enough to speak out, despite the likelihood jail, is remarkable. I applaud Katherine Gun and others like her who truly do act with conscience and ethics at great personal risk.