Banks and WikiLeaks. It sets a dangerous precedent

[No Passaran]

The whistle-blowing Web site WikiLeaks has not been convicted of a crime. The Justice Department has not even pressed charges over its disclosure of confidential State Department communications. Nonetheless, the financial industry is trying to shut it down.
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Visa, MasterCard and PayPal announced in the past few weeks that they would not process any transaction intended for WikiLeaks. Earlier this month, Bank of America decided to join the group, arguing that WikiLeaks may be doing things that are “inconsistent with our internal policies for processing payments.”

The Federal Reserve, the banking regulator, allows this. Like other companies, banks can choose whom they do business with. Refusing to open an account for some undesirable entity is seen as reasonable risk management. The government even requires banks to keep an eye out for some shady businesses — like drug dealing and money laundering — and refuse to do business with those who engage in them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26sun3.html?_r=2&ref=opinion

[RandomThoughts]

1. They want to be able to set the rules.

[villager]

3. Sadly, they already set the rules. Which is why we need a new rule book.

n/t

[RandomThoughts]

4. They don't set my rules.

Although they may set their own rules, that is a thought in many places.

[DearAbby]

2. Could be anyone

they don't like you for any reason, you're out in the cold.