[cobrausn]

Did anyone not see this coming? Does he actually think they won't go after him to the full extent they are capable?

The thing about being a martyr for a cause is that they usually don't walk away from the experience unscathed. I think this man thought he was untouchable and acted accordingly, deciding to be a celebrity instead of a quiet hero. Well, the hammer is dropping.

Good luck, Julian, you completely unlikable but necessary bastard. Hopefully the people who carry on in your stead are a bit more careful.

[guelo]

I like him. I guess we've probably swallowed different propaganda.

[cobrausn]

I tend not to swallow propaganda - I generally just dislike his behavior from the stories I've heard, from both friend and foe alike. He basically talked Manning into putting himself in the brig so he can go be the hero. I'm sure Manning was rotting in a cell while Assange was off having the sex (consensual or otherwise) that put the whole operation in jeopardy. I don't like him. Maybe that's all propaganda, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my take on it. His work is necessary but I don't like him.

Besides, look at that smug face. It's seriously in the running for a 'most punchable face alive' award.

[lrei]

I believe that's incorrect. Manning wasn't talked into putting himself in the brick. Well not literally: he bragged about what he had done to someone on an internet chat. That someone was a convicted hacker that gave him up to law enforcement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Manning#Chats_with_Adri...

[guelo]

That's some good propaganda there. BTW, I don't know if it's healthy to fantasize about punching people just based on how they look.

[cobrausn]

If it's propaganda then explain the reality of it, don't just claim victory through superior hidden knowledge and wander off.

In regards to your second point, I deal with smug bastards on a day to day basis. Smug isn't so much about how someone looks as it is about how they look at you.

[guelo]

Neither of us know anything except what we've read in news stories which are filtered through layers of different political interests. Like I said, we've swallowed different propaganda.

[fleitz]

If you walk away with your life you're by definition not a martyr.

[cobrausn]

Nitpicking. People are often called 'martyr for a cause' if they end up persecuted or imprisoned.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martyr

Definition #2. It helps if you die, but it's not required.

[Dove]

Actually, if you'll look at the wikipedia article about the term and its history, you'll see that it has several meanings. Dying isn't always required.