Transparency

Julian Assange says WikiLeaks is meant to promote it. The Obama Administration refused to demand it of the Egyptian regime. And John Boehner doesn’t think the American public wants it, at least not if it involves C-SPAN cameras in the House Chambers.

Transparency is the word (and concept) presently on everyone’s mind. How demoralizing to commence an investigation of this interesting notion of translucence with the dawning realization that people in power, no matter what soothing noises they make when microphones are present, build their lives around maintaining (and growing) their power. It’s part of their genetic code, almost.

To increase their grip, powerful people understand that the fewer folks who really know what’s going on, the better. Inevitably, then, politicians and other power seekers covet their secrets, many of which might be of the “dirty little” varierty — although the little part might be a stretch.

WikiLeaks, put simply, counterbalances the one-way flow of power. Not only is Assange not a “traitor” or a “terrorist,” he’s an excellent example of someone who understands that those who hoard power fear transparency as Vampires fear sunlight. Opacity is their best security blanket.

The many lorded by the few would do well to keep shining their inquisitive light, no matter what horrors spring from the shadows.