Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing • Hacker News Board

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#21

Post by mindslight » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC

I am not surprised that USG has cooked up a tenuous conspiracy charge with which to try and stretch its jurisdiction ever further.

But I am amazed at how many people in this community have accepted the government's narrative at face value. It rests not merely on the notoriously bad CFAA, but also on a theory that chatting during a criminal act is itself concrete furtherance of a conspiracy.

USG's reasoning can be straightforwardly applied to persecute any journalist that interviews a whistleblowing source, as the source is breaking the law by leaking information to the journalist and the journalist is encouraging that crime. This is chilling.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#22

Post by rayiner » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC

eof wrote: post #15

idlewords wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The right to a speedy trial is a provision that safeguards individual liberty, not proof of the crushing might of the state.

Yes, everyone who has had their life saving seized by civil asset forfeiture has had their trials move at an equally speedy pace!

I don't even understand what point you're trying to make.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#23

Post by rorykoehler » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC

idlewords wrote: post #9

resters wrote: post #3

Keep in mind all the crimes by US officials that Assange revealed. In my view many of those crimes committed by officials are treason, yet all have been swept under the rug.

[flagged]

So no one is uncovered and report crimes committed by nations because they created self serving laws? Sounds tyrannical.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#24

Post by alwaysanagenda » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:36 PM UTC

resters wrote: post #3

Keep in mind all the crimes by US officials that Assange revealed. In my view many of those crimes committed by officials are treason, yet all have been swept under the rug.

He's the only one who could testify about the truth behind the DNC leak (Seth Rich) and the Podesta e-mails (phished). Neither were 'hacked' by the Russians.

With the Mueller investigation effectively over, it's time to turn the tables. Assange is a valuable asset in this endeavor.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#25

Post by resters » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:36 PM UTC

danso wrote: post #19

dnautics wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Treason has a specific definition in the us Constitution and it's a quite difficult bar to cross.

The Iraq War leak suggested war crimes, but not treason IIRC: https://www.wired.com/2010/10/wikileaks-press/

Lying about the war crimes was treason in my view

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#26

Post by sandworm101 » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:36 PM UTC

idlewords wrote: post #7

setquk wrote: post #2

It’s amazing that the state moves so quickly when someone operates against its interests.

The right to a speedy trial is a provision that safeguards individual liberty, not proof of the crushing might of the state.

The right to a speedy trial is held by the individual, not the state. It is not a safeguard to liberty if proceedings move so quickly that the individual cannot mount and adequate defense. This is particularly true of extradition, a situation where there is no room to correct an improper decision acted upon.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#27

Post by e1ven » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:37 PM UTC

alwaysanagenda wrote: post #24

resters wrote: post #3

Keep in mind all the crimes by US officials that Assange revealed. In my view many of those crimes committed by officials are treason, yet all have been swept under the rug.

He's the only one who could testify about the truth behind the DNC leak (Seth Rich) and the Podesta e-mails (phished). Neither were 'hacked' by the Russians. With the Mueller investigation effectively over, it's time to turn the tables. Assange is a valuable asset in this endeavor.

You realize you sound pretty far out-of-mainstream when you say things like that, right?

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#28

Post by Veen » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:37 PM UTC

eof wrote: post #15

idlewords wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The right to a speedy trial is a provision that safeguards individual liberty, not proof of the crushing might of the state.

Yes, everyone who has had their life saving seized by civil asset forfeiture has had their trials move at an equally speedy pace!

It's not a trial, it's an extradition hearing.

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#29

Post by matthewowen » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:37 PM UTC

resters wrote: post #25

danso wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Iraq War leak suggested war crimes, but not treason IIRC: https://www.wired.com/2010/10/wikileaks-press/

Lying about the war crimes was treason in my view

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."

Re: Julian Assange Appears in Court for U.S. Extradition Hearing

#30

Post by resters » Thu, May 02, 2019, 3:37 PM UTC

Veen wrote: post #17

resters wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’d have no problem with Assange being punished if the other journalists were, or if the government officials were.

Assange is accused of a crime. Should he be forgiven because some other people are also accused of crimes?

Should law enforcement focus on prosecuting a shoplifter who reported Jerry Sandusky’s crimes while ignoring Jerry?