"There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear. There's a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware. * * * Paranoia strikes deep -- into your life it will creep. It starts when you're always afraid. You step out of line, the man come and take you away. We better stop, hey, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down."
"PAYMENT SYSTEMS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF ALL COMMERCE AND NO ONE SHOULD EVER INTERFERE WITH THEM."
======================
The State Department should not have pressured Amazon, Paypal, Visa, and Mastercard to turn away WikiLeaks. Aside from the futility of such a move (the cat is now out of the bag), it significantly affects everyday businesses around the world which rely on established ways to get paid. The last thing they need during this holiday season is to be embroiled in politics.
As things stand now, those offended by Paypal might not use it, or its partner ebay. Those offended by Amazon, might not order the kindle. Those offended by Visa and Mastercard might use cash or checks. Worse, they may not buy much for Christmas - - even forego that planed trip, or dinner at that nice new restaurant.
And all for naught.
To be sure, the State Department is recoiling from its decision. Yet, in fear of losing face, it is paralyzed and not likely to change course. It has, however, put away the club, and as such Amazon, Paypal, Visa and Mastercard should quickly reverse course.
And the State Department might be the first to be relieved from such open defiance.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by kafantaris.
Something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear.
"There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear. There's a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware. * * * Paranoia strikes deep -- into your life it will creep. It starts when you're always afraid. You step out of line, the man come and take you away. We better stop, hey, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down."
Worldwide Payment Systems are no one?s Tools to Shape Foreign Policy.
"PAYMENT SYSTEMS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF ALL COMMERCE AND NO ONE SHOULD EVER INTERFERE WITH THEM."
======================
The State Department should not have pressured Amazon, Paypal, Visa, and Mastercard to turn away WikiLeaks. Aside from the futility of such a move (the cat is now out of the bag), it significantly affects everyday businesses around the world which rely on established ways to get paid. The last thing they need during this holiday season is to be embroiled in politics.
As things stand now, those offended by Paypal might not use it, or its partner ebay. Those offended by Amazon, might not order the kindle. Those offended by Visa and Mastercard might use cash or checks. Worse, they may not buy much for Christmas - - even forego that planed trip, or dinner at that nice new restaurant.
And all for naught.
To be sure, the State Department is recoiling from its decision. Yet, in fear of losing face, it is paralyzed and not likely to change course. It has, however, put away the club, and as such Amazon, Paypal, Visa and Mastercard should quickly reverse course.
And the State Department might be the first to be relieved from such open defiance.