The U.S.'s reaction to WikiLeaks is increasingly Orwellian, with the military blocking access to major Internet news stories that carried the leaked cables, and making the ridiculous declaration that its personnel should avoid those sites during personal time too.

For a man who swept into offices on promises of "change we can believe in," Obama has shown very little inclination for real change. His real gift seems to be accommodation, which is of course essential to winning compromise. But natural leaders lean forward, moving with them reluctant constituencies and recalcitrant bureaucracies. And so far, Obama has failed to wield a big stick in dealing with the machine of government, including that of his own Democratic Party members in Congress.

Like always, Obama talks a good game, though. Just last November when he visited China, he delivered what sounded like a resolute message of support for Internet freedom.

"I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable," Obama reportedly said during a speech in Shanghai. "They can begin to think for themselves."

In that same address, Obama "described himself as a ' big supporter of non-censorship,' and said criticism made him a better president,'' according to the U.K.'s Guardian.

By waging war against WikiLeaks for unmasking the public face of America's diplomacy, Obama feeds suspicion that he is a puppet and exposes the emptiness of his words.