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Odysseus's avatar

Does the U.S government really have a case against Wikileaks?

Asked by Odysseus (2751points) December 20th, 2010

In light of calls from the USA to try Julian Assange for treason (I did not even know that a foreigner operating on foreign soil could be tried for treason)
I ask, is there really much difference to what Wikileaks has done compared to other media outlets such as the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/ or the NY times ?
All have published the leaked documents and all have practices of confidentiality towards their informants. What would make Assanges case unique ? because he was first to publish or because his medium is solely aimed at recieving confidential material?
The slight differences seem far to petty to build a case in my opinion, what is yours?

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12 Answers

mammal's avatar

Only America would treat activity that ran contrary to it’s interests by someone or some group not of it’s citizenry as treasonous. In fact that would imply that America is in fact an Empire…would it not?

the100thmonkey's avatar

I don’t believe the US has a case, for the exact reasons you list. Moreover, I believe that it would be very difficult, at the very least, to hold a fair trial. This is why I believe that alternative methods are being pursued – it’s such a public case that it would be politically very difficult for the government of any country that extradited him.

Ultimately, it’s a classic case of shooting the messenger.

mammal's avatar

@the100thmonkey amen to good sense.

Haberdasher's avatar

Nothing like beating up the kid that tells on you….Sort of makes you look like a bigger jackass. America just needs to suck it up. It’s nothing that the general public did not really know anyway.

incendiary_dan's avatar

Not much of a case. But the U.S. government has never needed a good case. They have bigger and more guns. And they’ll probably assassinate him as soon as they can stop his backup plans.

Harold's avatar

Interesting that our moronic prime minister here in Australia has had to take back her words that Assange had actually broken Australian law. I suspect that he hasn’t broken US law either. As for treason? What a pathetic joke!

anartist's avatar

I’m sure they can make one, but should they?

kevbo's avatar

Wikileaks is part of a puppet show that is leading us down the road to revised internet censorship and control. The details are political theatrics designed to sway public opinion and justify action.

woodcutter's avatar

if nothing more he can be charged with receiving stolen property? In most places that is just as bad as the ones who did the actual stealing.

Odysseus's avatar

@kevbo , a very possible & interesting theory.
@woodcutter , as per my question, If you believe there to be a crime then are the editors of both newspapers listed also guilty ?

bolwerk's avatar

Amerika has a case of butthert.

woodcutter's avatar

@Odysseus receiving stolen property is illegal by anyone. Even if they played no part in the theft they are implicated. They knew or “should have known” the information is classified. There is no freedom of information until documents are declared unclassified, right? Just because someone is cleaver enough to obtain classified papers from the govt, or even your home doesn’t mean the victim of said thefts are in the wrong. Stealing is stealing and being involved in any way in the handling of the stolen property by others is also illegal.

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