Nico Gendron

In the same vain as Cat's post, our group spent much of today discussing the two proponents of Wikileaks, Edward Snow and Chelsea (formerly Brendan) Manning. Their role in leaking major government documents through Wikileaks garnered international attention for the gravity of such a breech of government security. Furthermore, it has shown a serious spotlight on Wikileaks as a platform that know what is "really going on" and what this means for terms/the code of conduct for freedom of speech. Should some things still be kept private is something I hope our research of Wikileaks will provide an answer to.

I have followed the case of Chelsea (Brendan) Manning for awhile. I am particuarly intrigued by how he not only (and most obviously) leaked government documents but also was still given rights. For example, one of the last articles I looked at today before class was finished was about how Manning petitioned for government documents that were written and published before her sex change (man to female) be edited with the updated and appropriate gender pronouns (i.e. she, her). I think there is a clear and confining relationship between the U.S. military and homosexuality-- "don't ask, don't tell." The fact Manning was initially hired into high profile, military intelligence while struggling with his sexuality is interesting to me and then, after what he did and also following through with a sex change, that it is under consideration to change the gender pronouns. Ultimately, this all (in my perspective) relates back to freedom of speech and identity, which may as well be one in the same on the web.

Unpacking the layers of Manning's relationship to the military, his sexuality and Wikileaks will reveal a great deal and I am excited to proceed further!