Posted on 12/04/2010 7:07:52 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) is defending WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's release of thousands of classified diplomatic cables.
In an interview with Fox Business Thursday, Paul went against the opinions of many of his Republican colleagues, asserting that Assange should be given the same protections as the media.
"In a free society we're supposed to know the truth," Paul said. "In a society where truth becomes treason, then we're in big trouble. And now, people who are revealing the truth are getting into trouble for it."
“This whole notion that Assange, who's an Australian, that we want to prosecute him for treason. I mean, aren't they jumping to a wild conclusion?” he added. “This is media, isn't it? I mean, why don't we prosecute The New York Times or anybody that releases this?"
Earlier this week, Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Justice Department is investigating Assange's case to determine whether he can be charged with a crime for leaking the secret documents.
Arkansas Goveror Mike Huckabee went so far as to say Tuesday that Assange should be tried for treason and face the death penalty if proven guilty.
Most U.S. politicians claim that the leaked cables will damage relations with U.S. allies.
Ok, that’s a different point and you’re right. The GOVERNMENT didn’t have a problem with him til he upset their internationalist cabal. True.
>>” Blame your government.”
Fine. The government is screwed up. That doesn’t make what Assange is doing “good.”
DG
Well there's where we differ, I guess. I think ANY US president should be constrained to the powers allowed by the Constitution, and you seem to think any president ought to be able to have people killed without even the formality of a trial.
The Constitution gives all presidents the authority to protect the nation from foreign and domestic threats. The Founders well knew that there would be critical judgments that would be made that might violate individual rights for the good of the nation-—FDR’s internment of the Japanese (correct in my view) comes to mind. I’ll side with any U.S. president over any foreign hater at any time. And don’t kid yourself for a second. Assange is a hater.
So far, from what I have read, the only folks at risk are a bunch of politicians and diplomats who made attrociously bad decisions. But if you have some other information that backs up your point, please share it so that we can all understand true facts demonstrating actual harm that is being done.
That dipolomats gossip about what they see in hear in government channels is not exactly news. Ambassadors have been doing that since the first ambassador was ever created, oh, about 50 millenia ago or so. In fact, that is their job. That is what they do.
It seems to me that applying that same logic, the Nazis in Germany were justified in the actions they took against those they considered enemies of the volk. I don’t want this country to move down a path where the ends justify any means, without limit. If you accept a death sentence without trial as acceptable for anybody that is a “hater”, you’ll realize when it’s too late that somebody considers YOU to be a “hater”.
I don’t give a flying rat’s tailbone about diplomats, or banks-but I do still care about our soldiers. Our sides’ intel saves lives. Their intel kills. This was bad guy’s intel. It was evil.
DG
I accept a death sentence for anyone who willfully and knowingly endangers the lives of troops abroad, and you darn well know that has nothing whatsoever in common with the Nazis. The question is, what is the Executive empowered to do to protect the U.S. and its citizens and especially its soldiers, and in my book, “darn near anything.” We’re not talking public health, anti-smoking stuff. We’re talking spying and espionage, which is what this turd is engaged in. I haven’t heard you express even the SLIGHTEST concern for the lives of our troops or our diplomats, and that greatly troubles me.
You are ranting incoherently.
excellent marshalling of cogent facts!
DG
Well our military folks and Diplomatic folks may end up getting killed but never the less, R. Paul still lives in a partially free society. He is entitled to his position.
Top down, bottom up....Soros is involved.
I agree. Follow the money as Rush would say.
Thanks Earnest.
I want to see the Alien and UFO stuff.
Weak security of a paper world gone digital. It was a good hack.
Paul
Exactly right. Assange is the scapegoat. The real problem is the person/people giving him the information.
“Free speech is one matter, but it ends when that speech puts human lives in jeopary.”
What happened to the NYT when they revealed secrets? Huh?
Nothing. Freedom of speech. Why is this different?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.