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The government's position isn't that he "helped" Manning, it is that Manning acted, in part on the direction of Assange. If I remember correctly, their correspo
by partiallypro 8y ago
The government's position isn't that he "helped" Manning, it is that Manning acted, in part on the direction of Assange. If I remember correctly, their correspondence between each other occurred before Manning did anything. Assange basically said he would publish it if it were given to him.
So imagine if a journalist did that, and told someone "if you break into this person's house, I will publish your findings. Since neither of us like this person."
Would that be illegal? It would definitely be illegal.
- koboll 8y agoIt's more than that, it's that Assange actively assisted in the crime. A better analogy would be that as he was casing the joint, he called up someone, told them he was going to break in, and asked for instructions on how to pick locks. At that point, rendering such assistance makes you an accomplice. "Publishing" documents is not what Assange is being indicted for, and his defenders refuse to accept that point. It is cited as an aggravating circumstance, which is indeed arguably an overreach.
- baby 8y agoHow would that be illegal? I'm sure journalists do that all the time.