Soupnazi630
Gold Member
- Dec 9, 2013
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It does not explicitly have to be about to activity they want to send a warning aboutIt has nothing to do with publishing classified information so it cannot be a warning to the media.Bullshit.This attempt by the US government to bring Assange to trial is more an attempt to get him found guilty to scare the media into never publishing any kind of classified information, ever. Assange is just the pawn.
"The indictment alleges that in March 2010, Assange engaged in a conspiracy with Chelsea Manning, a former intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, to assist Manning in cracking a password stored on U.S. Department of Defense computers connected to the Secret Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNet), a US government network used for classified documents and communications.
"Manning, who had access to the computers in connection with her duties as an intelligence analyst, was using the computers to download classified records to transmit to WikiLeaks.
"Cracking the password would have allowed Manning to log on to the computers under a username that did not belong to her. Such a deceptive measure would have made it more difficult for investigators to determine the source of the illegal disclosures.
"During the conspiracy, Manning and Assange engaged in real-time discussions regarding Manning's transmission of classified records to Assange. The discussions also reflect Assange actively encouraging Manning to provide more information.
"During an exchange, Manning told Assange that 'after this upload, that's all I really have got left.' To which Assange replied, 'curious eyes never run dry in my experience'.
"Assange is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
"If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors."
Being accused is not being guilty. After this much time I find it ludicrous to be going to all this effort when the max penalty is 5 years in a federal pen. Ergo, the government is teaching the media a lesson IMHO. But, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.