What do you think of Julian Assange?

[Isaac]

On a primal level, I was inclined to root for him, but in a fairly nonsensical way, just like I sometimes find myself secretly and almost subconsciously "rooting" for a prison escapee.
Even in a more values-based thinking way, I feel a bit of sympathy for the fact that he felt compelled to break the law on what could be considered reasonable grounds: it was the only way to expose things that the US was doing that were wrong, and illegal.

Nonetheless, he gained illegal access to computer systems to do this--totally hacking and even contracting with others to do more hacking. He also exposed the identities of people who helped the US and might have their head chopped off because of his recklessness. If I hacked into a department of defense computer today, I'm quite sure I'd be in handcuffs tomorrow, if not sooner.

If the US prosecutes him, there is an argument that it is getting revenge on him for exposing things it would have rather kept hidden, which were wrong.

Yet, obviously, if the US declines to prosecute him, it's like saying it's totally fine for anyone who wants to hack the system to do so as long as they reasonably believe some good may come of it. Which would be...clearly, ridiculous.

Ultimately I think I come down on the side of he definitely needs to be prosecuted. We can't just throw up our hands and invite people to hack into secure systems anytime they feel a moral high ground. Can we?

 

[Isaac]

Wasn't he given the documents and just published them? I'm pretty sure that the person who actually committed the crime ( Chelsea Manning - who got his sex change on our dime) got a pardon and Assange got hosed. The Supreme Court ruled regarding the Pentagon papers that publishing the purloined documents was not a crime.

At least the government's argument is that Julian was very heavily involved in the hacking plan.
But I'm sure the way you're putting it will be a feature of his defense, and I'm not saying I have any idea either way what happened.

 

[Isaac]

The Supreme Court ruled regarding the Pentagon papers that publishing the purloined documents was not a crime

I wish the FBI would have remembered that fact when they brutally & illegally raided the offices of the people who legally came into possession of biden's daughter's diary.
Which diary appears to mention that she used to shower with her dad.
Ahh, and they keep wondering what fuels q anon. It never gets old.

 

[Steve R.]

Ultimately I think I come down on the side of he definitely needs to be prosecuted. We can't just throw up our hands and invite people to hack into secure systems anytime they feel a moral high ground. Can we?

On the abstract intellectual level, you are correct. Yet we are surrounded by case after case where those on the left claim "special circumstances" to assert that laws can be ignored based on the simple premise of "social equity". Why not advocate for this style of approach for the benefit of Assange? Those who are conservative need to occasionally get into the realpolitik "dirt" to fight back.

Another aspect to consider, the left has gone fanatical with persecuting those on the right. Manifestations of this extreme zealousness can be seen in the form of the Mueller Report, the Russian Collusion Hoax, two impeachments of Trump, and now the January 6th Committee (show trial).

So even if Assange can be considered to have actually committed some trivial crime, the fact that the "deep state" controls the judicial process implies that they will be making a "mountain our to a molehill" to crucify Assange.

 

[Isaac]

Why not advocate for this style of approach for the benefit of Assange

I'd hate to stoop to their level, but I know what you mean.

 

[AccessBlaster]

I do wish publishers would have enough sense to know enough to censor information that is dangerous to national security.

The reason it was dangerous to national security, is because it pointed out the corruption within the military-industrial complex. Once you cross that line you are no longer a whistleblower you are a threat to the system. They want to make him the poster boy for anyone thinking of whistleblowing, oops I mean treason.

 

[Jason Lee Hayes]

Being an OPTI for over 35 years and a private surveillance operative for 15, gathering intelligence is one thing; publicising it is simply reckless - putting guys and families on the ground in real imminent danger. This is not acceptable at ANY level and Its for this reason he needs to go to prison.

 

[Isaac]

We'll see how Colbert's staff does with their "insurrection". Will they be held without bail? Will they spend 18 months in jail for the crime of trespassing? I'll bet money that they get a pass because they are leftists

Although it was a bit delightful to at least know they actually got arrested.
Hopefully the other late night comics have the courage to include it in their routine, it's the best stuff they've ever had

 

[AngelSpeaks]

Ithough it was a bit delightful to at least know they actually got arrested.
Hopefully the other late night comics have the courage to include it in their routine, it's the best stuff they've ever had

I hope SNL does a skit, but they're woke.