WikiLeaks

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: "The Fifth Estate" begins with Egyptian hieroglyphics and breathlessly careens through the history of the written word -- there's calligraphy! there's the printing press! -- before culminating in the internet, the cyber revolution, Julian Assange and the invention of WikiLeaks.

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: Dear Beaconites -

The case of Pfc. Bradley Manning brought to light the usual arguments over the public's right to know and the government's need to keep secrets. Manning was convicted on most counts this week but acquitted on the most serious charge, aiding the enemy.

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: President Barack Obama's public relations offensive to counter bad press about the NSA snooping on Americans and investigators snooping on reporters suffered multiple setbacks in the past week.