In the wake of Cablegate, the massive release of sensitive documents released online by WikiLeaks and the subsequent DDoS attacks by pro- and anti-WikiLeaks factions on each others’ websites, a fact long-known to only a few cognoscenti became public — free speech online is very much endangered. Both sides claimed they were following a higher calling. The pro-WikiLeaks hackers stated they were supporting free speech, and their opponents painted themselves as patriots. That concept of patriotism apparently struck a chord in the ears of some U.S. leaders.
