So please tell me again why people who steal data, private conversations, steal personal photo shots

[glennward]

and even security information are heroes and not criminals?

If someone stole your credit card, SSN, and banking information would they not be criminals. If someone snatches your purse and takes your ID are they not criminals?

For a nation that pretends to care so much about individual privacy we sure love those who hack into private e-mails, phone conversations, bank accounts etc.

Because the media gives these people the exposure they want it makes it ok?

And don't give me that crap about someone running for office. It's privacy of the people contributing and supporting those people that has been compromised and no one seems to care.

Our courts do not permit the use of information obtained illegally ... why should the media, why should we.

I remember when one candidates run for the Presidency was destroyed when people working for the other side broke into medical files and released information. The criminals were almost made heroes for a lot of folks.

Now it is ok to get on major networks and call for a foreign country and invite anyone to just hack Hillary's servers and computer files. WTF is wrong with even the libertarians in this country?

[Skidmore]

1. This. K&R

I am one of those people who have never thought Assange and Snowden are heroes. And Trump is a crook, if someone would take the time to scratch beneath the putrid bubbling scom that is immediately visible with him.

[MichiganVote]

2. Agree.

[anoNY42]

3. Depends

1.) Russia: Let's not pretend we are not also hacking their politicians' emails and government data. It's really not a personal privacy thing when they are hacking official emails (it would be different if they had released health records, credit cards, etc).

2.) Wikileaks: They publish stuff given to them, especially stuff from public servants like Hillary. If this was Hillary's personal email, that would be different (although I admit I would love to see the Donald's personal emails).

3.) The media: Their job is to report on news. Leaked emails are news so long as the media doesn't release CC numbers or SSNs or stuff like that. As to health info, if someone is running for president, then the health info would actually be relevant news.

I generally support the mission of Wikileaks to expose stuff that is hidden. That said, I do not support any other country hacking our leaders' emails.

[Cicada]

4. No one defends wikileaks for personal data leaks

They should have turned data over to a responsible party who could filter it, such as the Washington post or Greenwald. But releasing government secrets is usually heroic.