Visa & MasterCard: Ku Klux Klan, Yes – WikiLeaks, No

The hypocrisy of the moral rationaleof the redneck element of the USA for shutting down WikiLeaks & eliminating Julian Assange defies logic, basic native intelligence and the basic premise of life in the United States. Truth, Justice & the American way? Check out this extract from from an article by Charles Arthur the UK Guardian's technology editor on the 7th December 2010.

4.14pm: Charles Arthur, the Guardian's technology editor, points out that while MasterCard and Visa have cut WikiLeaks off you can still use those cards to donate to overtly racist organisations such as the Knights Party, which is supported by the Ku Klux Klan.

The Ku Klux Klan website directs users to a site called Christian Concepts. It takes Visa and MasterCard donations for users willing to state that they are "white and not of racially mixed descent. I am not married to a non-white. I do not date non-whites nor do I have non-white dependents. I believe in the ideals of western Christian civilisation and profess my belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God."

And here's more from techdirt.com:

Visa & MasterCard: KKK Is A-OK, But Wikileaks Is Wicked

from the starvation-through-political-pressure dept

Well, it looks like we can add Visa to the list of companies pressured into no longer working with Wikileaks, following a similar move by MasterCard. At least, unlike MasterCard, Visa isn't already claiming that Wikileaks was convicted of a crime. Instead, it's just said that it's suspended any work with Wikileaks "pending further investigation into the nature of its business and whether it contravenes Visa operating rules."

As Charles Arthur points out, the Ku Klux Klan's website points you to a site that takes both MasterCard and Visa -- suggesting the pure arbitrariness of both credit card companies' decision here. It's a bad idea when firms start making decisions for political reasons. There are all sorts of companies out there that take credit cards to support objectionable (to many) activities. Is it really the credit card companies' job to pick and choose who they find objectionable to work with -- and if so, what basis does it use for saying "KKK is okay, but Wikileaks is not"?

This reinforces the point we recently made about the role of corporate intermediaries in being able to aid governments in censorship, even in the absence of a trial or conviction. Either way, this is a really sad statement about both Visa and MasterCard and their willingness to cave to government pressure.

Truth Justice & the American Way? Given a choice who would you as a thinking Aussie support? The Ku Klux Klan?

(According to Visa, Mastercard & Paypal these fine upstanding American  are worthy free speech & financial support.)

Or WikiLeaks?

Jemma

Speak out for truth - support WikiLeaks & Julian Assange

 A protestor holds a placard during a demonstration in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, outside of the City of Westminster Magistrates Court, in London on December 14, 2010. (image courtesy Sendawa.com)

Magnetic Islands Julian Assange is in danger of death by the USA. Think globally - act locally - support Julian Assnge & WikiLeaks locally and together we will have global action.

Contact your MPs, write letters & comments in your local media. Speak with your friends.

Stop a murder planned and condoned by the USA

WikiLeaks Sculpture for Magnetic Island?

 

One suggestion for the Magnetic Island Wikileaks Sculpture

For some years I have been following the exploits of Magnetic Island son, Julian Assange founder of  WikiLeaks Whistleblower Website.

A little about WikiLeaks and what it is;
"WikiLeaks is a non-profit media organization dedicated to bringing important news and information to the public. We provide an innovative, secure and anonymous way for independent sources around the world to leak information to our journalists. We publish material of ethical, political and historical significance while keeping the identity of our sources anonymous, thus providing a universal way for the revealing of suppressed and censored injustices.

WikiLeaks relies on its supporters in order to stay strong. Please keep us at the forefront of anti-censorship and support us today. You can also read more about WikiLeaks, our mission and objectives."

Apparently, if you follow the Magnetic Times & Blogging Townsville sites, there has been talk about commissioning some sort of  celebratory sculpture or statue to be located on Magnetic Island.

What form could the sculpture or statue take?

Check the magnetic times for some of the suggestions.

After reading the comments & suggestions in the Magnetic Times I googled around and stumbled upon the above image.Obviously 'tongue in cheek' in its design but perhaps Wikileak supporters on Maggie might be on to something. I just had to share this...

After all WikiLeaks is what we have needed for years... What do you think?

Jemma