Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Assange releasing documents manning sends him is fine and first amendment.

Assange "conspiring" with manning to crack a password is not




Given that he failed to actually crack the password it seems like a pretty weak argument that he actually helped.

And IIRC the pentagon papers involved journalists helping to photocopy the documents.

Seems totally fine for a journalist to assist someone that's leaking classified data. They're not the ones committing the crime, the person violating their privileged access is IMO.


Failing at a crime is still a crime. If you try to rob a bank but get no money, you still tried to rob a bank


It depends what you mean by "try".

If you try to rob a bank but your car breaks down before you get there, so you give up, that's not bank robbery.

You may still be guilty of criminal conspiracy or something but not bank robbery. These are legally technical areas that are more complicated than what you're portraying.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: