Julian Assange Responds to Increasing US Government Attacks on WikiLeaks - Polidicks

[url=http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/3/julian_assange_responds_to_increasing_us]Source[/url] [release]It’s been ten days since the whistleblower website WikiLeaks published the massive archive of classified military records about the war in Afghanistan, but the fallout in Washington and beyond is far from over. Justice Department lawyers are reportedly exploring whether WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange could be charged with violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for publishing the classified Afghan war documents. Meanwhile, investigators in the Army’s criminal division have reportedly questioned two students in Boston about their ties to WikiLeaks and Private First Class Bradley Manning, a leading suspect in the leak. We speak with WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange. [includes rush transcript–partial] [/release] [editline]08:35PM[/editline] It continues at the 50:00 or so part.

This guy is a savior to the modern world.

-snip- Transcript's too big. :frown:

This is going to be one interesting story. If it's going to try anything, US might wait out public attention on Wikileaks for now.

I understand the guys' reasoning for leaking the info. But, still, it's just wrong. Don't get me wrong- there is MUCH wrong with this conflict, and some of it needs to be drug out in to the light to be seen for what it really is. But there is a time and place for that- neither of which occur here and now. Because of their selfish, liberal agenda, lives may be at stake. Not only American lives, but those of our allies, and the Afghan soldiers. Albeit, they're corrupt as hell, but still... This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act. As for the foreign founder of the website, he should still be charged and convicted. Not sure how hard that would stick, but it needs to be done. He disregarded the potential damage to soldiers in the field he caused by releasing this, so I say his personal freedoms should equally be disregarded, and trampled on.

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23854665]I understand the guys' reasoning for leaking the info. But, still, it's just wrong. Don't get me wrong- there is MUCH wrong with this conflict, and some of it needs to be drug out in to the light to be seen for what it really is. But there is a time and place for that- neither of which occur here and now. Because of their selfish, liberal agenda, lives may be at stake. Not only American lives, but those of our allies, and the Afghan soldiers. Albeit, they're corrupt as hell, but still... This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act.[/QUOTE] I don't consider it treason, but I still don't consider it justified. A new rank of crime/wording needs too be put for this.

-snip edited, nvm-

I can say I hope the US gov't follows through. What was done is completely unacceptable, you don't end a war by bringing harm to your own allies.

There are reasons why you don't post tomorrows battle plans in the todays newspaper.

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23854665]This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act. As for the foreign founder of the website, he should still be charged and convicted. Not sure how hard that would stick, but it needs to be done. He disregarded the potential damage to soldiers in the field he caused by releasing this, so I say his personal freedoms should equally be disregarded, and trampled on.[/QUOTE] Someone is 13

When did Facepunch get so dumb? How can you honestly say what Wikileaks did was wrong? I can't fathom how retarded you'd have to be to say that. [editline]04:20PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23854665] This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act. As for the foreign founder of the website, he should still be charged and convicted. Not sure how hard that would stick, but it needs to be done. He disregarded the potential damage to soldiers in the field he caused by releasing this, so I say his personal freedoms should equally be disregarded, and trampled on.[/QUOTE] You're dumb.

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23854665]I understand the guys' reasoning for leaking the info. But, still, it's just wrong. Don't get me wrong- there is MUCH wrong with this conflict, and some of it needs to be drug out in to the light to be seen for what it really is. But there is a time and place for that- neither of which occur here and now. Because of their selfish, liberal agenda, lives may be at stake. Not only American lives, but those of our allies, and the Afghan soldiers. Albeit, they're corrupt as hell, but still... This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act. As for the foreign founder of the website, he should still be charged and convicted. Not sure how hard that would stick, but it needs to be done. He disregarded the potential damage to soldiers in the field he caused by releasing this, so I say his personal freedoms should equally be disregarded, and trampled on.[/QUOTE] [I]I spy a troll.[/I] I fully support Assange and his kin. Even national governments should not be above scruitiny. Regardless of time or situation. The moment you start letting governments answer to no one, be it in the name of safety, or unity is the moment you sacrifice a large part of your ability to scrutinize the world around you.

[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;23854904]When did Facepunch get so dumb? How can you honestly say what Wikileaks did was wrong? I can't fathom how retarded you'd have to be to say that. [/QUOTE] It's stupid because it may endanger lives. Why on earth would posting documents that recent in the middle of a conflict be a good idea? I'm not saying never post them, I'm saying don't do it immediately when it may cause damage.

[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;23854904]When did Facepunch get so dumb? How can you honestly say what Wikileaks did was wrong? I can't fathom how retarded you'd have to be to say that. [/QUOTE] Because acting in the face of unforeseen circumstances is idiotic in itself. It is possible that none may get harmed, but it is possible that this may bring more trouble than one can imagine. It may have been that only a few of the documents were classified. But they were to be kept classified for a reason.

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;23854839]Someone is 13[/QUOTE] Dang, you got me. And yes, I fully support examining everything about the war- AFTER the war. This was just irresponsible on their part, and they deserve to be punished. Harshly.

[QUOTE=ExplodingGuy;23855026]Because acting in the face of unforeseen circumstances is idiotic in itself. It is possible that none may get harmed, but it is possible that this may bring more trouble than one can imagine. It may have been that only a few of the documents were classified. But they were to be kept classified for a reason.[/QUOTE] It's a fucking war. I didn't know people joined the army for the ponies and rainbows.

[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;23855120]It's a fucking war. I didn't know people joined the army for the ponies and rainbows.[/QUOTE] I'm talking about the leaks, not the war.

[QUOTE=Carbon Knight;23854962]It's stupid because it may endanger lives. Why on earth would posting documents that recent in the middle of a conflict be a good idea? I'm not saying never post them, I'm saying don't do it immediately when it may cause damage.[/QUOTE] It is going to take a long time till the conflict ends, meaning that the documents would be of no use and they will get a way with a lot.

Someone needs to release all the payments that go to the government from corporations, in the form of "buying them out".

[QUOTE=ExplodingGuy;23855137]I'm talking about the leaks, not the war.[/QUOTE] That what happens when you join the army. You can't just expect to walk into some other country where nobody wants you and expect it to be sunshine and roses. Anyone who joins the army deserves whatever they get.

Fair enough. But still, this act is basically just saying, "Hey, the governments involved in this are corrupt!" Well, damn. That's a news flash to me. I thought everyone in Washington was forthright and honest. Same for the Afghan government. And governments around the world, in general. I honestly thought politicians acted in the greater good of their respective people. Damn, I was naive. So, in order to tell us something that is, obviously, a sensational news awakening, they have additionally placed soldiers' lives at stake. Yeah, the ends justify the means.

[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;23855209]Someone needs to release all the payments that go to the government from corporations, in the form of "buying them out".[/QUOTE] The only place you'll find that is in the tabulation of taxes. Seven figure payments aren't that uncommon when collecting "taxes".

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23855259]Fair enough. But still, this act is basically just saying, "Hey, the governments involved in this are corrupt!" Well, damn. That's a news flash to me. I thought everyone in Washington was forthright and honest. Same for the Afghan government. And governments around the world, in general. I honestly thought politicians acted in the greater good of their respective people. Damn, I was naive. So, in order to tell us something that is, obviously, a sensational news awakening, they have additionally placed soldiers' lives at stake. Yeah, the ends justify the means.[/QUOTE] Your blazen acceptance and disregard for a broken politic Is archetypal of what is so fucked up with youth these days.

Lol @ the treason guy

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23855106]Dang, you got me. And yes, I fully support examining everything about the war- AFTER the war. This was just irresponsible on their part, and they deserve to be punished. Harshly.[/QUOTE] If shit goes down that isn't right then the rest of the world needs to know - The world has every god damned right to judge the participants of a conflict depending on their actions and react accordingly. Someone needs to police the police, even if "it's war" it does not mean everything is fair game. Playing fair is what separates the "good" guys from the "bad" guys in a war.

No one died yet because of the leaks. The article posted here that had those deaths weren't related to WL.

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23855259]Fair enough. But still, this act is basically just saying, "Hey, the governments involved in this are corrupt!" Well, damn. That's a news flash to me. I thought everyone in Washington was forthright and honest. Same for the Afghan government. And governments around the world, in general. I honestly thought politicians acted in the greater good of their respective people. Damn, I was naive.[/QUOTE] With that kind of attitude your government could start dismantling Democracy and you still wouldn't care. You basically don't care if the government commits atrocities, even if they may possibly impact you negatively? Also, the impact this leak has had on the war is pretty exagerated. Pretty much everything has been known or suspected.

[QUOTE=Ki Adi Mundi;23854665]This is treason, no matter how you slice it. I personally hope all of them fry, literally, in the electric chair- on public television. This is unacceptable behavior, and needs to be dealt with accordingly, and severely, in hopes to prevent another such act. As for the foreign founder of the website, he should still be charged and convicted. Not sure how hard that would stick, but it needs to be done. He disregarded the potential damage to soldiers in the field he caused by releasing this, so I say his personal freedoms should equally be disregarded, and trampled on.[/QUOTE] Assange is Australian, how is this treason?

[QUOTE=starpluck;23856353]No one died yet because of the leaks. The article posted here that had those deaths weren't related to WL.[/QUOTE] Its only a matter of time. Seriously I support what Wikileaks does but they screwed the pooch on this one. A.They ran back to the government they illegally obtained the documents from to ask for help screening. Which makes as much sense as taking a car you stole back to its owner to find out whats wrong. B.They spent months screening on a war that we all agree is going to be going on for years from now. So a year or two wouldn't hurt so you go it done right, not fast. I'm not saying they shouldn't have leaked the documents, whats done has been done. But if there are any deaths because of this leak, it falls squarely on Wikileaks.

[QUOTE=Calam1tous;23805935]This guy is a savior to the modern world.[/QUOTE] He's a sociopath, some things he has let through may help. But this is definitely questionable.