Do the Americans think getting their hands on Julian Assange will stop Wikileaks?

[Hymie]

Assuming that Julian Assange is somehow extradited to the USA to face whatever charges they can dream-up, do the authorities really believe that the leaks will stop (appearing on Wikileaks)?

Surely this is like believing that gaoling Jimmy Wales will take down Wikipedia.

By taking the action they have (against Julian Assange), the authorities are only giving him free advertising for his website. The more they pursue him, the greater the publicity for his cause.

[dotty.]

Tell em, we'll swap that bloke (whoever he thinks he is) for Garth anytime.

[KARL]

From what has appeared in the media (and I have heard/seen) my understanding is that the structure of Wikileaks is not dependant on any one individual. Inconveniencing or detaining Assange would thus do little or nothing to change matters, ignoring any spur to the determination of those who support and operate the site. That said, American policy and deeds are dominated by extremists of their own type and as a result have been depressingly efficient in turning a large collection of causes with some merit into disastrously discredited ones and otherwise unsavoury characters into heroes to some.

[Quizmonster]

"Dream up"? What if he actually HAS broken American law, as various authorities there believe, and the offence is one that MERITS extradition? Are you suggesting that they should let him get away with it, just because someone else equally deluded will carry on his activities?

[bazwillrun]

If the USA get hold of him, he will release some really damaging documents, along the lines of the docs he claims will be released in the encrypted file that is available to download, the key for which he will also have releasd in the event of anything happening to him.

That is the real reason they want him, to try and find out, through "legal methods of interrogation" obviously, what those docs may contain.

The USA and others are krapping themselves

[youngmafbog]

If any state really wanted him, they would have had him.

Accidents do happen.

Thing is though most of the leaks are not really news. Also accusing everyone rather takes the impodus out of it.

[Davethedog]

http://www.globalrese...?context=va&aid=22389

I don't align with any viewpoint but 400,000 documents is heck of a lot for a government to let out of its sight. I agree with this that the US has gained more than its lost.

[Quizmonster]

Don't you think it is incredible, Dave, that - of the apparent multitudes of people who had access to these documents - only ONE, a disaffected army private, thought it a good idea to steal them and give them to Assange?
Now, the absurd notion seems to have arisen that he did the right thing and that Assange is some sort of messiah. If so, I am reminded of the proud parents watching the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders parading along Princes Street in Edinburgh. As the soldiers approached, the mother of one of them cried out, "Ooh look! They're a' oot o' step but oor Jock!"