Something which I'm finding it increasingly difficult to accept - or understand - is the manner in which many so-called 'old-fashioned' values are ridiculed by those who I would describe as the PC Brigade. All too often, the upshot of the growing influence of these sanctimonious elements is that the opinions of those who subscribe to more established principles are being driven underground - often through fear of recrimination.
Having expressed that opinion, it should come as no surprise that I have been motivated to write this blog by the recent controversy concerning the Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. Equally unsurprising is the fact that I don't agree with the notion that it's an absolute 'right' for absolutely everyone to be allowed absolute access to absolutely everything - and that includes information.
Now, in making that declaration, I should explain that (although I'm not entirely convinced), I'm prepared to concede that there isn't necessarily anything wrong with the concept of 'freedom of information'. However, I fervently believe that there is a fundamental - and extremely important - difference between information being available to the public and making information available to the public. Accordingly, although I believe that there may be grounds for certain issues (National security, for example) being kept secret, if someone has a legitimate reason to investigate a subject, I see no reason why there should not be a process where it could be made available.
What Mr. Assange is doing, however, is entirely without reason.
From where I'm looking, there is no evidence of anything positive arising out of his actions. On the contrary, the response from around the world has been entirely negative. Furthermore - and paradoxically - from someone who appears to seek anonymity, his behaviour smacks of a small child seeking attention.
Well. he's certainly got that, now.
