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Julian Assange Deserves First Amendment Protection

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Re: Julian Assange Deserves First Amendment Protection

#3
What part of the first amendment exonerates knowingly attempting to crack NTLM keys of US military logins?

Or is the reasoning that the law should give him special treatment and exemptions not given to others?

Also, is the 1st amendment protection even applicable to foreigners on foreign soil?

Re: Julian Assange Deserves First Amendment Protection

#6
I use to go back and forth on Julian, but at this point I think he should be punished, but what that punishment should be I don't know. I think Manning stealing the cables was an absolute wrong, and Assange facilitating that shows a level of culpability. He should not be afforded American protection. Crimes were committed, even if they were done with the best intentions, it was still a crime. We all count, or no one counts.

Re: Julian Assange Deserves First Amendment Protection

#7

When is the theft of information justified? The publication of The Pentagon Papers set a precedent for this type of argument, but it's a slippery slope. My preference would be for us to promote much stronger freedom of information laws.

Freedom of Information only exists because government is historically corrupt and there needs to be a counterweight.

Given the corruptness of government, Freedom of Information can be bad.

Unredacted data sounds dangerous, but it asks the question-

"Why is the government doing it to begin with?"

Re: Julian Assange Deserves First Amendment Protection

#9
post #3

What part of the first amendment exonerates knowingly attempting to crack NTLM keys of US military logins? Or is the reasoning that the law should give him special treatment and exemptions not given to others? Also, is the 1st amendment protection even applicable to foreigners on foreign soil?

Yes, First Amendment protections apply to non-Americans. However, as you say, Assange is being prosecuted for conspiracy to hack computers, not for his speech.
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