December 2nd 2010
Amazon is facing a backlash from its customers after kicking whistle blowing website WikiLeaks off its servers. The Internet giant took action after coming under pressure from right-wingers in the US to stop hosting the site, which this week published tens of thousands of confidential diplomatic e-mails. Jow Lieberman, chairman of the senate homeland security committee, called on other companies to end their links with the website. He said: "WikiLeaks' illegal, outrageous and reckless acts have compromised our national security and puts lives at risk around the world" But Amazon now faces protests from free speech campaigners, who say it should be "punished with boycott" at what is its busiest trading period of the year. The e-tailer began hosting WikiLeaks on its servers after the site's host in Sweden came under cyber attack on Sunday.
Yesterday, the site had returned to its original Swedish host, leaving Amazon facing the wrath of its customers. One tweeted: "For the first time in my life, I have a disposable income in dollars. Not one penny is going to Amazon." The right wing was not silenced either with outspoken Republican Mick Huckabee calling for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be executed for treason. (It must be noted only citizens can commit treason). "I think anything less then execution is too kind a penalty. They've put American lives at risks. They have put relationships that will take decades to rebuild at risk, and they knoew full well that they were handling sensitive documents." Mr Huckabee told reporters at a book signing. Mr Huckabees' demand came as a senior advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called for on-the-run WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be killed. "I think Assange should be assassinated, actually," Tom Flanagan told Canadian TV. "I think Obama should put out a contract and maybe use a drone or something," he added. Mr Flanagan later refused to retract the comment, adding: "I wouldn't feel unhappy if Assange does disappear."
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