what's the difference in making this guy testify.. and when you rt. wingnuts called for the 'irs' to be MADE to testify? just curious.

Let's see: The IRS works for the American people?

A reporter is the essence of the first amendment.  Placing him in prison for protecting his source is a direct assault upon freedom of the press.  Requiring an IRS worker to testify as to their acts whether legal or not is a constitutional requirement of congress. That Democrats can't tell the difference  proves their lack of education or demagoguery.  Ignorance is correctable, the other condition isn't. 

so, julian assange should be allowed to publish his findings unmolested? exactly where do you draw the line?

I was under the impression that Assange worked for the federal government at some point and was being held to the contract he had signed.  What he did was essentially espionage.  That is not the same as being a free lance reporter.  Someone who signs a confidentiality agreement and then discloses information they obtain is a criminal.

assange never worked for the US government.

OK, thanks for clarifying that, I stand corrected.  I thought he originally worked as some kind of consultant.  In that case, I agree with you, he should be held to the same standard.

that's, possible, teyates. and snowden was the one who leaked the information. a reporter is supposed to dig for information. if that information violates national security, then the problem occurs.. i don't understand the 'double standard' represented in this thread.

Unfortunately, Julian Assange qualifies as a reporter.  He might be prosecuted for possess of top secret classified information, but I doubt it.  Personally, I do hope the Swedes slap him in the clink as a sexual predator for a few years.  Snowden is the true guilty party for stealing classified information. As he did not do this in collaboration with a second nation, conviction of treason is unlikely -- doesn't meet the constitutional description.  He did right by exposing the excessive spying upon US citizens, but much more wrong by exposing out espionage program overseas.  Give him 20 years for stealing the info and knock off 18 months for the good he did.

Expanded use of Warrantless wiretaps, the NDAA, and using drones to kill US citizens are just a few examples of Barry Obama's attacks on our civil liberties.