Walter's Perspective: WikiLeaks
CHICAGO (CBS) - This time of year, we think about peace on earth and good will towards man. A lot of people think that's hard to do, especially now, with all the news about the damaging WikiLeaks. But what's with all the worry?
The story is so wild and wooly, its all over the water coolers and causing strong opinions; mine being to slow down and chill out.
All the screeching about WikiLeaks may cause more damage than what's in the leaks, which is not much.
U.S ambassadors collecting personal information about leaders of the countries they're in. Presidents and premiers whispering scurrilous things about the leader of Libya having a blonde girlfriend, and the leader of Chechnya giving away gold as a wedding present. Oh, tsk-tsk, my goodness, imagine that!
And other leaks about the President of France and the Chancellor of Germany disliking each other. And the King of Saudi Arabia saying prisoners released from Guantanamo ought to have tracking chips implanted. Aye-aye-aye. Such information in the WikiLeaks!
As I see it, the big value of the leaks is to the talking heads on cable TV, who are using them to boost ratings. And to the politicians who are using them to get on TV.
Rather than letting the fuss die down in the interest of peace on earth, they're stirring it up enough to set the earth on fire. That's the story.
