What is the Primary Reason for American Foreign Policy Secrecy?

[Junkdrawer]

Poll question: What is the Primary Reason for American Foreign Policy Secrecy?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. I went with "Other" - Because secrecy has become a sacrament in our government.

Secrecy for the sake of secrecy.

[PDJane]

2. To hide, not just motives, but actions.

Everything the US teaches its children about American history is prettied up, glorified and wrong.

[Junkdrawer]

4. I'm almost tempted to edit the poll....

but that wouldn't be fair to those who have already voted.

Good point.

[murdoch]

3. Language used in cables

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/28/world/20101128-cables-viewer.html#report/cables-89PANAMA8545

A cable from Panama to the US before the US invasion -

NORIEGA IS MAKING ALL HE CAN OUT OF
CONTACTS WITH THE USSR, THE PRC, LIBYA, CUBA,
NICARAGUA, AND EVEN U.S. ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT
GROUPS. HE WILL ALSO SEEK TO CONJURE UP SOME
LIMITED LEGITIMACY IN HIS PLEA FOR LATIN
SOLIDARITY OVER THE CANAL ADMINISTRATOR ISSUE.

It's clear anti-imperialist or "ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT" groups in the U.S. are seen as a massive threat. My labor, my tax dollars are what is used by these murderers to subjugate and attack working people all over the world, my displeasure of this obviously makes these parasites view me as yet another enemy.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. The current term is " domestic extrmemists"

hat tip to Janet Neopolitano for that one.

[ixion]

5. To hide the rampant corruption and fraud

that is S.O.P. for the US government.

[emilyg]

7. You got it right.

[Bucky]

8. Please note that the "primary reason" is different from the "primary abuse."

Obviously dealing with foreign nations requires discretion and tact, which in turn require secrecy. We have a free press, Wikileaks included, to keep them in check. So far, they're just releasing what looks like catty gossip, not secret atrocities. If this is as bad as it gets, I'll be surprised. At the same time I'd argue that this is all an example of the system working.

[stray cat]

9. Should all your private communications be published? Why would you hide anything you ever said

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Like all diplomacy across history

It includes gifts to kings and poison and spying.

Read some Pliny the Elder, or the Bible, or the Odisey or Herodotus...

Hey at least poisoned daggers ain't as common as they once were.