[ruthie_cohen]

It is done to send a very clear message to anyone else thinking about doing the same thing.

Is it disproportionate to the threat? Absolutely. But that’s not why it’s done.

[bell-cot]

Maybe I'm too old, or hang with the wrong crowds - but my sense is that that "very clear message" only works within a certain narrow, violent, and machismo mindset. Outside of that mindset - it sends quite different messages, most of which are counterproductive.

Any chance that you've seen an action movie or two in which a lone hero was hauled off by a whole gang of big, tough bad guys?

[jwestbury]

The message is meant for people with security clearance. "Don't leak documents, or this might happen to you."