I was pointing out the fact that you were preaching to the choir with regards to what to do in the future. What we seemed at odds over was what could be done about the past.
Aaahh. I misunderstood, then. These incidents really aren't in the past, though. We're still working through the judicial process for the leaker at the very least. By the way, I did read Liebermann's comments. While I agree with the sentiment that at least some of what Wikileak's done could be considered anti-American, Assange really couldn't/shouldn't be brought to the U.S. for trial for treason. That was a pretty dumb interpretation.
Assange can't be brought up on charges for treason and the politicians know it. It just makes for good sound bytes on TV.
Your victims (including those affected by extraordinary rendition, a practice that could conceivably be used for Assange) disagree.
Our "victims", as you put it, are far, far outnumbered by those who've benefitted from our following our stated beliefs and principles. That we fail is merely proof that we're human. That we strive for better is proof that we still have vision.
Are you "striving" to put an end to the crimes uncovered by Wikileaks or are you trying to shut them up?
The problem here, Bock, is that you're operating under the assumption that Assange has any moral obligation to follow United States law. He is not a US citizen, he owes us nothing. He received information that he felt the public should know, so he made it public.
Applying that same sort of logic... does this mean that he's also not covered by our constitutional guarantees, then?
Assuming we charged him he still wouldn't be charged with treason. Treason can only be done by a citizen of the country they are from. Assange is not an American. He's Australian. Any judge with an ounce of competence in them would throw out any treason charges based on the fact that he's not an American.
By all means get annoyed... If it can be shown to be the case, then yes, punish people - but are you planning on abandoning due process and the freedom of the press to achieve that? Well, there isn't anything you can do about the material. It's out there. At least you're applying due process here. Really it's not. Governments have probably already acquired that information via other means already, and I really doubt anyone who isn't not already a pain in the arse is going to be annoyed or find relationships damaged or strained. On the plus side we are finding out information such as the last UK governments claim it had nothing to do with Al-Megrahi's release was a big fat lie.
That's a risk you take with any state. If you're going to go bear hunting, be damn prepared that the bear may walk away with more than just your pick-a-nic basket. Assange has at least covered his arse to an extent, but kick any large group hard enough and they tend not to bother with any niceties.
