Damn, man! Ever since WikiLeaks founder (and international playboy) Julian Assange completely dismantled The World As We Know It™, things have been ... well ... sort of funky.
I was originally horrified at what Assange was producing and distributing on a global scale. Like, seriously, what if something he leaked caused nations to go to war with one another? What if he gave away sensitive secrets of the American government and, in doing so, made us "less safe"?
Yes yes, I fell for the Republican bullshit for about a month. And then, something within me changed. And it's readily because of the online "hacktivists" Anonymous.
“We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”
This is precisely what newfound democracy is all about. In January, Tunisia's government collapsed, after WikiLeaks had sparked the Tunisian revolution. Anonymous protected the will of the Tunisian people, as well as Julian Assange himself.
WikiLeaks also managed to create a mostly-peaceful revolution in Egypt, after leaking several cables regarding Hosni Murbarak and American intervention with the Egyptian elite. In most cases, it made both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton look like effing fools. Like as with Tunisia, Anonymous protected the will of the Egyptian people.
Now, of course, Julian Assange and his ilk are changing things in Libya. By now, I have figured out that Julian Assange is the mastermind, but Anonymous is the bouncer. Quite honestly, I think the bouncer is more powerful and unequivocal than the mastermind, but that's just me. (Or is it?)
And a very good bouncer Anonymous remains! While I am still completely terrified of the 4chan connection, the actions of these wonderful hacktivists, to make things right/better/kickass, is truly note-worthy. I bow before their awesomeness! Iraq has just endured a "Day of Rage", which didn't necessarily represent the work of Julian Assange, WikiLeaks, and/or Anonymous, but simply occurred because the Iraqi people were sick of their government's shit!
It was a preemptive strike on the part of Iraq. Which is, of course, hellishly ironic.
In the United States, the fight for democracy is being waged on a daily basis, especially in Wisconsin, but in other places as well. And the reason is because of Julian Assange, WikiLeaks, and Anonymous - make no mistake here. The three of them give an excuse to democratic activists everywhere to revolt and fight for their rights!
In the corporate-heavy world of bullshit, WikiLeaks and Anonymous provide welcome relief within the storm. It has been noted that Anonymous will eventually be the predecessor of WikiLeaks, and I can't argue with that.
My thought here is that, specifically because of Julian Assange, the United States can change how things are done. At least, that's my hope.