Bank of America to decline process payments to WikiLeaks

Bank of America has said this weekend that it too will decline process payments to WikiLeaks, which has angered countries around the world by releasing thousands of previously confidential U.S. diplomatic cables.

Says the bank:

"Bank of America joins in the actions previously announced by MasterCard, PayPal, Visa Europe and others and will not process transactions of any type that we have reason to believe are intended for WikiLeaks."

Early next year, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says they will release hard drives worth of documents relating to "unethical practices" at a major U.S. bank, which most believe will be Bank of America or Citigroup.

Assange is currently out on bail in the UK, and faces extradition on charges of sexual misconduct in Sweden.

The bank added (via Reuters): "This decision is based upon our reasonable belief that WikiLeaks may be engaged in activities that are, among other things, inconsistent with our internal policies for processing payments."

After hearing of the news, WikiLeaks fought back, via Twitter, tweeting: "We ask that all people who love freedom close out their accounts at Bank of America."

"Does your business do business with Bank of America? Our advice is to place your funds somewhere safer."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Dec 2010 19:14

ROMaster2

It's a Bank, what else to expect?

18.12.2010 19:30 #1

DXR88

We all know banks are crooked and crooks. whatever information wiki leaks has wont be much of a shocker.

Quote:"This decision is based upon our reasonable belief that WikiLeaks may be engaged in activities that are, among other things, inconsistent with our internal policies for processing payments."
that's your keyword guilt admission right there

18.12.2010 21:07 #2

philipman

go Bank of America

18.12.2010 21:52 #3

sparkery

Banksters

18.12.2010 23:52 #4

KillerBug

Maybe next they could stop processing payments to the red cross and NORML...those also go against their internal policy of trying to make this works a terrible place.

19.12.2010 02:04 #5

21Q

Quote:Assange is currently out on bail in the UK, and faces extradition on charges of sexual misconduct in Sweden. Seems a bit random to the article but okay.

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19.12.2010 11:42 #6

Interestx

Incredible.
They had the same sort of organised witch-hunting after the Pentagon Papers (Nixon is on record as saying "try him in the press" about Daniel Ellsberg, the man behind that leak).

The fact is the US 'cables' leaked in wikileaks have a restricted readership of between 2 and 3 million.
Some secrets.
Not one life has been put at risk, though several reputations have been (and that for some of these goons is the absolute line crossed).

The leaks' value is not in telling us anything we didnt already know or suspect but in their confirming the cynicism of the lies & cynicism of the liars and hypocrites behind US policy - and in fairness not just US policy, plainly the liars and hypocrites of the diplomatic world are not just confined to the US.

Those liars and hypocrites can no longer use or claim the cover their lies & knowing hypocrisy previously once gave them......and they absolutely hate him for (Assange) this.
Even though they know he leaked not one thing himself.
Being the liars & hypocrites that they are , who spread all of those lies, they also know there is a lot more to come.

The barbaric & revolting rush of supposed democrats and people who purport to uphold the rule of law calling for Assange's assassination on the basis of this leaking (when he in fact leaked nothing himself) is a sickening sight to behold.
I see Palin is the latest to jump on this especially stupid bandwagon.

Ron Paul, for once, had it right -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDp1izlMQT0

19.12.2010 15:20 #7

KillerBug

+1

"I see Palin is the latest to jump on this especially stupid bandwagon."

LoL...what other kind of bandwagon would she jump onto?

19.12.2010 22:37 #8

xtago

Not really suprised.

What do you expect when you play with the system, it will destroy you, this just shows at how easy you can be destroyed in every single way you could never expect.

My question is what's the real point in releasing documents from a bank?

Is it going to be stuff about how it's been hacked and had heaps of people's account's data stolen and probably sold off so crims can claim your identity so they can get all you cash?

The problem isn't exactly what is released but why, this stuff can be used by spys to gain access to stuff people wouldn't expect.

Just reminds me of how the pirate bay wouldn't delete people's personal data that's been given away in torrents.

Sure it might be great reading all the US inter-country documents but do you want say north korea trolling over all that data so they can work out how best to garner support from other countries that also don't like the US and would support any form of attack upon it.

Far example could get Vietnam piss off the USA so north Korea can easily send a nuke into pearl harbour or something to wipe it for good.

Would anyone actually be fussed about that? I guess not from reading the replies.

20.12.2010 06:46 #9

Interestx

xtago

You'd think nobody ever changed or improved anything from your "system will destroy you" comments.

Quite how you imagine NK - or anyone else - can genuinely use anything in the wiki leaks to help it nuke anyone is simply incredible.

Quote:this stuff can be used by spys to gain access to stuff people wouldn't expect.

That's just your own speculation (or the speculation of the media which are plainly being spoon-fed a wave of propaganda to damn wiki-leaks & Assange).
Not one instance of anything wiki-leaks has said on these cables to date has been shown to be in any way genuinely harmful to any individual.

You maybe missed the fact that the supposedly vital & incredibly secret stuff leaked has a readership of between 2 and 3 million?

Are you trying to say Ron Paul wouldn't be fussed about a nuclear attack on the US?!

That's also not forgetting the not-so-small point that NK has not yet had an actual fully successful nuclear test yet, they had one fizzle which didn't go off at all and one partial explosion.....and bear in mind these are tes devices, hardly even close to a deliverable weapon.

Sorry but the way some in the US are trying to equate this wiki-leaks stuff to something close to risking an all-out nuclear attack on the US is laughable stuff.

21.12.2010 13:02 #10

DXR88

Originally posted by Interestx: xtago

You'd think nobody ever changed or improved anything from your "system will destroy you" comments.

Quite how you imagine NK - or anyone else - can genuinely use anything in the wiki leaks to help it nuke anyone is simply incredible.

Quote:this stuff can be used by spys to gain access to stuff people wouldn't expect.

That's just your own speculation (or the speculation of the media which are plainly being spoon-fed a wave of propaganda to damn wiki-leaks & Assange).
Not one instance of anything wiki-leaks has said on these cables to date has been shown to be in any way genuinely harmful to any individual.

You maybe missed the fact that the supposedly vital & incredibly secret stuff leaked has a readership of between 2 and 3 million?

Are you trying to say Ron Paul wouldn't be fussed about a nuclear attack on the US?!

That's also not forgetting the not-so-small point that NK has not yet had an actual fully successful nuclear test yet, they had one fizzle which didn't go off at all and one partial explosion.....and bear in mind these are tes devices, hardly even close to a deliverable weapon.

Sorry but the way some in the US are trying to equate this wiki-leaks stuff to something close to risking an all-out nuclear attack on the US is laughable stuff. put on your tin foil hat and lock your doors. there coming for us.

21.12.2010 15:24 #11

Interestx

DXR88

Ah yes, the 'you're just being paranoid' gambit.

Yeah, cos if there's one thing stuff like the Pentagon Papers & Wiki-leaks proves beyond all doubt it's that the offial version of the truth is at all times reliable & anyone questioning it is nuts.

Jeez.
Some people really do deserve the Gov they get, huh?

21.12.2010 15:41 #12

DXR88

Originally posted by Interestx: DXR88

Ah yes, the 'you're just being paranoid' gambit.

Yeah, cos if there's one thing stuff like the Pentagon Papers & Wiki-leaks proves beyond all doubt it's that the offial version of the truth is at all times reliable & anyone questioning it is nuts.

Jeez.
Some people really do deserve the Gov they get, huh? you do realize it wasn't directed at you right?

it was a joke directed at you, because of the comment you commented on.

21.12.2010 15:49 #13

Interestx

Originally posted by DXR88: you do realize it wasn't directed at you right?

it was a joke directed at you, because of the comment you commented on. Sorry DXR88.

The limitations of 2D text on a screen & all that.

21.12.2010 20:01 #14

bogwart16

Originally posted by xtago: Not really suprised.

What do you expect when you play with the system, it will destroy you, this just shows at how easy you can be destroyed in every single way you could never expect.

My question is what's the real point in releasing documents from a bank?.......

There's a whole slew of reasons. Bank of America have the worst record on ripping off consumers in the US, even down to breaking into debtors' homes and stealing their possessions. They received well over a trillion dollars in bailout money and TARP guarantees, yet this year's bonuses will amount to $35 billion. And they are paying these bonuses at the expense of cutting off lending to small businesses.

These facts and many others are already known about BoA. If WikiLeaks does what I expect then many internal documents and memos between the Fed and the Bank will be released. It's hardly surprising that they expect these leaks to damage them further.

They are renowned for illegal and unnecessary foreclosures, yet have the country's largest housing stock standing idle.

28.12.2010 08:24 #15

davolente

So what happened to due process? i.e. Investigation, trial in a court of the land, a verdict by one's peers and then (and ONLY then) appropriate punishment if found guilty of carrying out an illegal act. Seems that all the organisations and banks that are refusing payments are taking the law into their own hands under the pretext of "inappropriate conduct". Coupled with the sex charges, it all smacks of a pretty large conspiracy with probably the USA government behind it all.

28.12.2010 10:18 #16

DXR88

i think Mr.Assange just has an issue with the word America. Why not kick up the dirt on other Country's, Why didn't he release top secret Files From china or the UK or Russia.

From all the Crooked banks, Why did he choose BankofAmerica. Hell i got some stories About WaMu that would even turn Assange inside out and shake him for all he's worth.

i'm all for what wiki leaks does, but targeting America and thinking he could get away with. i think maybe some of his gears are missing some teeth.

28.12.2010 10:22 #17

bogwart16

Originally posted by DXR88: i think Mr.Assange just has an issue with the word America. Why not kick up the dirt on other Country's, Why didn't he release top secret Files From china or the UK or Russia.

From all the Crooked banks, Why did he choose BankofAmerica. Hell i got some stories About WaMu that would even turn Assange inside out and shake him for all he's worth.

i'm all for what wiki leaks does, but targeting America and thinking he could get away with. i think maybe some of his gears are missing some teeth. He's not a researcher nor a reporter. Whistleblowing leaks are given to WikiLeaks and they are checked and published by the world's press. Besides, why not America? Most of the violence in the world in the last few years has come about as a result of American hubris and arrogance. How anyone can defend the actions of Uncle Sam defeats me, because it is a case of "my country right or wrong" which is crass and juvenile.

Same with BoA. Of course there is an equal amount of muckraking that could work against WaMu, Citi and Wells Fargo, to name just three, but presumably material from those organisations hasn't been so comprehensively leaked.

And why should he not target the US? Al Qaeda did, and for a comparatively tiny amount of money brought America to its knees. The country had its chance to be worthwhile when the Soviet Union collapsed. They spent it on weapons and useless wars (which they haven't been on the winning side of since 1945) when they could have earned the world's respect by not interfering with other sovereign nations.

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

28.12.2010 10:42 #18

cammobus

what really is the point of releasing confidential diplomatic messages ?

Ambassador X meets with Prime minster Y, and reports back on the meeting ... we got information z .. or I don't think we can really trust Y

leaking documents about a Government Program rife with corruption or General's A, B and C knowing Weapon System F has serious flaws that are going to get Soldiers Killed has a place I society ...

IMHO this is nothing more than some self important Nebbish trying to make a name for himself at the expense of an Entire nation ... if America is such a fucked up place to live, why are 1000's of Mexicans coming across the border everyday ?

yeah we have our problems ... but NO BODY is Perfect ...

28.12.2010 11:09 #19

Mr-Movies

Quote:
this stuff can be used by spys to gain access to stuff people wouldn't expect. Good old scare tactics the media and our government has been using against us for decades in order to control the masses. This is just lies much like the rape charges now surfacing against Julian. If the US had criminal charges, valid ones, they would have been put into place long ago. Instead they are trying to conjure up something they can impose on Julian. There is far too much being covered up and mistreated as Secret in our government and it needs to stop, so it is very good the leak is happening and I love to see Citi Corp getting theirs too. Information is power these days the ones who controls it control all of us.

Obama would like to block websites just like China and other scary countries because he wants to control what we read and where we go, plus it would get him in big with Hollywood and other big business. I wouldn�t doubt that FOX News (National) would get blocked eventually since they oppose him in so many ways.

Corruption is at its worst these days and it won�t be long until something bursts and Anarchy rains. It is sad that we can�t learn from the past and that we have to relive the cycle of history over and over again.

It�s great that Assange has leaked these documents and I hope he keeps going, but at the end of this the powers in place will bury him unfortunately, it�s very hard to beat the system.

28.12.2010 11:12 #20

kuyhfg

Go Julian go boy,you've got the bastards on the run. They're too quick to point the finger at anyone else, but it's a different story when it's them on the receiving end. Of course the greedy bastard financial institutions are gonna back 'em. They've too much at stake to do any different!

28.12.2010 11:31 #21

FredBun

Originally posted by cammobus: what really is the point of releasing confidential diplomatic messages ?

Ambassador X meets with Prime minster Y, and reports back on the meeting ... we got information z .. or I don't think we can really trust Y

leaking documents about a Government Program rife with corruption or General's A, B and C knowing Weapon System F has serious flaws that are going to get Soldiers Killed has a place I society ...

IMHO this is nothing more than some self important Nebbish trying to make a name for himself at the expense of an Entire nation ... if America is such a fucked up place to live, why are 1000's of Mexicans coming across the border everyday ?

yeah we have our problems ... but NO BODY is Perfect ... (DITTO)

28.12.2010 12:26 #22

Mr-Movies

Originally posted by FredBun: Originally posted by cammobus: what really is the point of releasing confidential diplomatic messages ?

Ambassador X meets with Prime minster Y, and reports back on the meeting ... we got information z .. or I don't think we can really trust Y

leaking documents about a Government Program rife with corruption or General's A, B and C knowing Weapon System F has serious flaws that are going to get Soldiers Killed has a place I society ...

IMHO this is nothing more than some self important Nebbish trying to make a name for himself at the expense of an Entire nation ... if America is such a fucked up place to live, why are 1000's of Mexicans coming across the border everyday ?

yeah we have our problems ... but NO BODY is Perfect ... (DITTO)

Because Mexico is more of a mess than the US, obviously. You don't see Canadians' fleeing to the US in hordes do you! If you can't comprehend that how is that you can comprehend well in other areas, you can't.

NO DITTO here!

28.12.2010 12:37 #23

bogwart16

Originally posted by cammobus: ....IMHO this is nothing more than some self important Nebbish trying to make a name for himself at the expense of an Entire nation ... if America is such a fucked up place to live, why are 1000's of Mexicans coming across the border everyday ?.. Try looking around yourself. 45 million people getting food stamps, 20%+ unemployment in real terms, 200 banks failed this year, a million people losing their homes, a third-world standard of healthcare, no increase in real standards of living for thirty years, a country that spends a trillion dollars a year it doesn't have on killing people while domestic disasters like Katrina go unaddressed. If you think that's desirable try visiting Western Europe and Scandinavia to see how it should be done. We have our own problems because of thieves and crooks like Goldman Sachs, but we're dealing with them.

28.12.2010 13:10 #24

Mr-Movies

If you're trying to say the EU is better, that is far from true. The US's biggest problem is trying to be like the EU. We were the best nation in the world until this slide to socialism and now we are just like the rest unfortunately.

Although Katrina was definitely mishandled by the Federal government but it really was Louisiana�s fault it was mishandled the way it was, and the fact that no dikes were built in the first place. The civil engineers instructed them on what needed to be done long before Katrina, some monies were provisioned to Louisiana but the local government didn't want to spend the money on what needed to be done, nothing new there. Then after it was mishandled by local government during the disaster and elections came around again they elected the same incompetent people they had in the first place. Dumb is dumb and deserves what they asked for.

28.12.2010 13:54 #25

bogwart16

Originally posted by Mr-Movies: If you're trying to say the EU is better, that is far from true. The US's biggest problem is trying to be like the EU. We were the best nation in the world until this slide to socialism and now we are just like the rest unfortunately.

I'm not going to comment on this beyond saying it is that kind of attitude that got you where you are now. This boasting about uniqueness got very old very quickly. You don't have the first idea what socialism is, and Europe in any case is not socialist.

Oh, and you might like to look for facts on Katrina in places other than Fox or CNN.

28.12.2010 14:04 #26

Mr-Movies

Ditto back to you! I have relatives in the EU that follow you same brainwashing but like you said your bias isn't going to change no matter what the facts are.

As far as Katrina my fact actually come from PBS and other resources, NOT CNN, MSNBC, or FOX News. If you get beyound the media bias you can find the truth and it seems you haven't done that.

Enough said.

Socialism:
a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

This is redistributing the wealth, summed down, but again you will not accept this.

28.12.2010 14:19 #27

bogwart16

Why would you consider someone whose opinions are at variance to yours to be brainwashed? I know that as a typical American you are lazy and ill-informed, and prone to over-simplification, but that is the typical first response from the Palin-type right wing.

I am not influenced by the media; I gave up TV years ago and read a variety of sources. Rarely the MSM, and the American MSM only for comparison. They are all betrayed by bias and untrustworthy.

I've been involved in political forums for ten years, all American, and I can assure you I know exactly what I'm talking about. You may think PBS is unbiased, but you'd be wrong.

Your paste and copy definition of socialism is accurate, but utterly wrong as far as any modern country is concerned. There was a degree of truth in it decades ago, but it was always an ideal and never practically realised.

I have to say, though, that if you're talking about redistributing the wealth maybe you should look to your own country, where the rich get richer - obscenely so - at the direct expense of the blue-collar and middle-class people. If you consider it equitable, for instance, that Warren Buffett should pay less tax than his cleaning staff then I don't see the point. If you consider that people, through no fault of their own, are on the scrapheap when rich people continue to receive tax rebates that the preposterous Bush 43 put in place, and which Obama has continued, then you must be a multi-millionaire and I have to wonder why you bother with this forum.

It never ceases to astonish me how many Americans vote against their best interests, whatever it costs them.

28.12.2010 14:49 #28

Mr-Movies

PBS is very biased against my political following but I go by world reporting and common sense, documentaries, web news and anything I can dig up. The truth is always between the lines and you typically need several sources to get to it if you can do that as some things are just covered up too well.

I agree that the rich here keep getting richer and that is due to our corruption, letting monopolies occur, backdoor deals, no limitations on big business due to lobbyist, and so on. Bush absolutely stunk as a president and the fact is we have been sliding since Regan.

As to the Socialism statement it is true even if it is not 100% accurate as nothing is when it comes to theory. Communism in Russia was not true communism but that is what it was called.

QUOTE:
�It never ceases to astonish me how many Americans vote against their best interests, whatever it costs them.�

Once again this is far from true and that is why Obama is in office right now. The Blacks who vote 90% for a Democrat and vote that way for free hand outs. However the Jews go against this in favor of your argument as they vote 95% Democrat, and they typically have money, but I do think they want the handouts too.

I�m not rich these days but at one time I made very good money and redistributing the wealth my way would be great for me, however I do not vote that way. Being an intelligent person I understand that you can�t have more people on the doll then work, nor is it good for the country, we should be rewarding hard work like it used to be here. Voting for selfish reasons will kill a society and if that is what you suggest to be good I would totally disagree with that and you need a history lesson. We should vote for what will make our environment socially and physically better not what is good for me at the time.

At any rate we will disagree but don�t let that get in the way as I�m sure you are a very decent person with good intentions, I have no doubt.

Take care bogwart16,
Mr Movies

28.12.2010 15:40 #29

DXR88

Aww...I was hoping for more fighting Oh well.

28.12.2010 15:48 #30

bogwart16

Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Bush absolutely stunk as a president and the fact is we have been sliding since Regan.
Very true. And that's when the neocons, who started life as liberals, began their march.

If you have time and haven't read him, do check out some columns by Paul Craig Roberts. He was for a time Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and is credited for being a co-founder of Reaganomics. He is disgusted with the way modern America is being run, and is not partisan in his loathing.

I agree with what you say about voting. The problem in the US is that a two party state will inevitably meld into a single party in due course. There are usually differences in domestic matters, but foreign policy doesn't change. Obama has gone back on every promise he made, has refused to get out of Guant�namo, has refused to draw back any troops from Afghanistan and has ignored any suggestion that an investigation be made into the illegal invasion of Iraq, let alone domestic spying, intrusive security and the further curtailment of your Constitutional rights.

And our political outlook is almost as bad. This coalition will not last and everything's up for grabs at the moment.

Anyway, thanks for being courteous. I wish you well.

28.12.2010 18:09 #31

bogwart16

Originally posted by DXR88: Aww...I was hoping for more fighting Oh well. Sorry 'bout that. =)

28.12.2010 18:12 #32

Mr-Movies

I will definitely check out Paul Craig Roberts columns sounds interesting thanks for the heads up.

If you enjoy political forums a pretty good one is Timebomb 2K they have a very diverse group and discuss all sorts of topics.

Timebomb 2000 Forum

I hope this doesn't violate any rules here at AfterDawn if so I apologize.

I've let DXR88 down twice today, it is a bad habit I've started isn't 88! :~O

28.12.2010 18:45 #33

JessTeav

Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Quote:
this stuff can be used by spys to gain access to stuff people wouldn't expect. Good old scare tactics the media and our government has been using against us for decades in order to control the masses. This is just lies much like the rape charges now surfacing against Julian. If the US had criminal charges, valid ones, they would have been put into place long ago. Instead they are trying to conjure up something they can impose on Julian. There is far too much being covered up and mistreated as Secret in our government and it needs to stop, so it is very good the leak is happening and I love to see Citi Corp getting theirs too. Information is power these days the ones who controls it control all of us.

Obama would like to block websites just like China and other scary countries because he wants to control what we read and where we go, plus it would get him in big with Hollywood and other big business. I wouldn�t doubt that FOX News (National) would get blocked eventually since they oppose him in so many ways.

Corruption is at its worst these days and it won�t be long until something bursts and Anarchy rains. It is sad that we can�t learn from the past and that we have to relive the cycle of history over and over again.

It�s great that Assange has leaked these documents and I hope he keeps going, but at the end of this the powers in place will bury him unfortunately, it�s very hard to beat the system.
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29.12.2010 04:26 #34

Bozobub

3.1.2011 13:46 #35

xboxdvl2

apparently wikileaks has information about the australian government cutting deals with japanese whale hunters .if the documents wikileaks are releasing are fact I dont see how telling the truth is breaking the law.Slandering&defamation are both illegal didnt think freedom of speech was illegal under US law or uk law.

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3.1.2011 20:12 #36

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