Two ways of looking at it
1 - He's a bit mental, and broke in to the computers to see if the government was covering up any UFO evidence. The fact that he was able to do so highlighted a security flaw in the US's computer systems, and so they've been able to fix that. He should at least receive some acknowledgement for this.

2 - He's broken in to an ostensibly secure government resource, knowing full well it was illegal to do so. Yes, he didn't do anything malicious while he was there, but if someone broke into your house 'just for a look around' and you found him wandering around your living room, reading your UFO books you wouldn't be very happy. Therefore he should receive the punishment for his crime, meted out by the country which was affected.

I honesty don't know which is more appropriate in this case.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 8:36, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

while you do talk some sense
"he should receive the punishment for his crime, meted out by the country which was affected."

to use your metaphor, this would be like me punishing the burglar who got into my house.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 8:53, Reply)

Yes.
I think the burglar would get what he deserved in that case!
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 27 Nov 2009, 9:49, Reply)

Wouldn't it be more like
finding out where the burglar lives, dragging him back round to yours, and then dishing out your punishment?
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Fri 27 Nov 2009, 22:56, Reply)