WikiLeaks says it won't be threatened by Pentagon (will publish remaining 15K docs within a month)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/14/10 | Keith Moore - ap

[Greysard]

Isn’t publishing classified documents publicly a crime? Why isn’t someone going to jail for publishing this?

I'm not a lawyer, but as I understand the criminal responsibility largely starts when you get the security clearance and sign on the dotted line. That's why that idiot Manning who stole the documents in the first place will never see the light of day - he signed, and he broke his promise.

But the Wikileaks owner seems to be a foreigner, and he has no legal duty to safeguard any secrets of the USA. I don't know if the US journalist can be today indicted for that (see the 2006 law,) but a foreign publisher ... doubtful. Mr. Assange, an Australian, signed nothing, and probably haven't been to the USA recently. If he stays away from the USA he is probably safe.

Here is a discussion on the subject.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I don’t get this. I work for a defense contractor. If I mishandle classified information I can be fired and tossed into federal prison. Why are these fools getting away with far worse?

[J Edgar]

” ... Mr. Assange, an Australian ... “

Thanks for the information. It would seem that US Government could put pressure on Australia government to convince Mr. Assange that his self interests would be best served by NOT PUBLISHING. I guess I’m thinking old school when the West had some vision of survival and what it takes.

[Condor51]

WikiLeaks will publish its remaining 15,000 Afghan war documents within a month, despite warnings from the U.S. government,

Not that I condone or advocate violence. BUT, if I was POTUS I'd have a chat with my Director of the CIA and 'ask him' to have some of his people (cough) 'look into this matter'.

You know. Like maybe 'do lunch', 'have a sit down' or 'something', with this guy.
Just, 'make him an offer he can't refuse' ;-)

[csvset]

How would Russia handle a matter similar to this? China? Israel?

I'm guessing they would try to whack this guy if they were presented with an opportunity to do so.

[Condor51]

*** How would Russia handle a matter similar to this? China? Israel? I'm guessing they would try to whack this guy if they were presented with an opportunity to do so. ***

Hell, Putin would have him whacked in Red Square at high noon and in front of 10,000 people. But Mossad would have to be a tad more discreet ;-)

In any event they'd all be correct in doing so. Treason and/or Espionage during a time of war is a Capital Offense.

Not sure about China, but they'd 'do something'

[archy]

Hell, Putin would have him whacked in Red Square at high noon and in front of 10,000 people. But Mossad would have to be a tad more discreet ;-)

Mossad [HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim] would whack him in Red Square at high noon and in front of 10,000 people, then have it said that Putin did it.

[archy]

How would Russia handle a matter similar to this?

Polonium-210. Next question.

[archy]

Not that I condone or advocate violence. BUT, if I was POTUS I'd have a chat with my Director of the CIA and 'ask him' to have some of his people (cough) 'look into this matter'.

The problem with that is that afterward, the WikiLeaks insurance policies would pay off.

Including a probable release of information regarding the involvement of that very same CIA in the assassination death of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general election of 2008 in which she was a leading opposition candidate.

The Pakistanis aren't real terribly fond of America or Americans right now, as it is. And they've got nukes.

Wikileaks Insurance