So you write a letter to Uncle Bob. You say a bunch of things you really don't want anyone else to see. The contents of the letter would hurt others in the family. But the letter never makes it to your uncle. It is stolen and the contents end up on page one of the local newspaper. Stealing mail has long been held to be something which could and should be an offense which will land you in jail. Mail has been around a long time but computers have not. Apparently you can steal thousands of computer generated letters and documents and skate. Some people will even call you a hero. Some people will help you to continue to steal more mail. Some people will happy to read this stolen mail and use it with little or no verification it is even legitimate or real. Some people don't care that you are a fugitive from justice and possibly a traitor. Hackers are thieves and no amount of spin will elevate them to a higher level. Assange violated every Americans constitutional right to privacy.