Cheers for the interjection. I always appreciate a well-formed argument that challenges my beliefs.

I wasn't aware of the exposure of undercover agents. That does at least partly counter my first point. I do still think the public interest aspect is very significant, although as I'm not American I see it more from more of a global point of view.

As for the second point, I was referring to the statements in the video, specifically its 'leveraging of anti-Trump sentiment', rather than the prosecution itself.

I still believe that my general point holds: that the statements in the video are generally correct, and that the approach the US has taken (under both Trump and Obama) will have - and is designed to have - a chilling effect on the publishing of information that shows the state acting in what many would describe as an evil manner.

I'll interject.
The published information included the names of hundreds of undercover agents that had nothing to do with the footage, or criminal actions. It was an unfiltered dump of everything they, working together, stole. Exposing those unrelated agents did not benefit American public, cost us millions if not billions, hurt our intelligence agencies badly, and helped our enemies greatly.

It benefits Trump because it allows him the appearance of (at least now) not working with Assange to help Rusher...Er, ah, Russia....interfere in our election to get him elected....multiple instances with video footage of him lavishly praising their work and requesting further interference notwithstanding....his followers can't remember that far back and believe it's "fake news" when their nose gets shoved in it....because he says so.

Maybe he's not a dumbass.

Maaayyybeee he's... *shifts eyes around* undercover.

Your video, Ex-Drug Cop Explains What Going Undercover is Like, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

In the UK we have a the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, a public body whose evidence is dismissed by politicians, and whose chair is then sacked for suggesting politicians dismiss the scientific evidence. Still mad about it 2018.

Also related, see use of undercover cops in protest groups (at least two of which actually had children with the people they were surveilling...).

Great fucking Britain.

I was shocked when I saw the cop lowered his gun. Don't see that much anymore.
Yes I realize Murphy was an undercover cop but, still.

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This achievement has earned you your "Golden One" Level 17 Badge!

Your video, Undercover in Myanmar's Sin city where anything goes, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

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Shhhh...he's undercover.

Your video, a black man undercover in the alt-right-theo wilson, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

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Your video, Nick Offerman Goes Undercover On The Internet, has made it into the Top 15 New Videos listing. Congratulations on your achievement. For your contribution you have been awarded 1 Power Point.

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http://ohnopodcast.com/investigations/2016/2/1/ross-and-carrie-audit-scientology-part-1-going-preclear

cool podcast about two people who go undercover into Scientology. They do other cults, alt-religions etc, but boy does Scientology take the biscuit.

Uhm, isnt that exactly the sort of thing these guys have been doing all along? Trying to prove liberals are doing shit like this by simply acting as the sponsors?
You know, like the undercover cop acting as a prostitute or drug dealer...

Anyway, am I the only one thinking this video seems like one of these documentary style "found footage" movies? The people in it all seem like very bad actors, especially that "Ryan Clayton". So weird.