Wikipedia edits implicate CIA and FBI in cover-up

Thanks to a new program called WikiScanner, developed by Virgil Griffith of the Santa Fe Institute in Mew Mexico, entries edited in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia can now be traced by users, revealing the source of the computer used to make the changes.

WikiScanner showed that computers used by the CIA were involved in editing an entry on the invasion of Iraq in 2003. A graphic showing the number of casualties was amended to give the impression that the figures were not as bad as indicated.

A computer used by the FBI also appeared in a trace, following the deletion of aerial and satellite images of the US prison for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Whilst there is no doubt that editing has occurred with computers used by the CIA and FBI, this does not mean that the changes were ordered by these organizations. However, both incidents are “sensitive” areas as far as the Bush administration are concerned, and this indicates “tampering” may have been carried out at a more official level.

Many people believe that the number of casualties in the Iraq war are greatly misreported and that the actual figures could be as much as 5-10 times higher.

We have seen many times, over the last few years, the administrations almost paranoid approach to concealing information from the public, and this latest information seems to follow that pattern.

It is worth remembering that secrets are not just about “National Security”, they are also used to “hide the truth”. The WikiScanner is an excellent reminder of how important it is to monitor the authorities that we elect into power, a government that feels the need to create new laws to spy on its people (anytime and anywhere) without providing a reason. A government willing to change the rules (and the constitution) in order to achieve their goals, and who expect everyone else to obey without question.

Didn’t something similar happen in Germany once? Surely, once is enough!