Who besides muddying the waters, damage U.S. image abroad (since their work does nothing but lead many readers abroad to believe "all Americans" share the same inhuman depravity they do).

Leaving aside the fact that is Germany, not the USA, doing this, your reaction to this is "people who get paid to post on internet forums should be charged with treason"?

And those being paid -again, paid- to influence public opinion in favor of wars waged under false pretenses should as well - with even more reason. The bar, of course, would have to be that high.

The minute someone accepts money to influence public opinion on the internet their contributions can quite possibly aid and abet the treason committed by their paymasters, and should be judged as such if the nation does indeed become the victim of treason (as was the case in the Iraq War, to cite the best-known recent example). Prosecuting famous names like Judith Miller or the late Robert Novak (who leaked Valerie Plame's identity) would be a must; but less well-known accomplices (including some very active paid trolls) should feel the heat too, with penalties varying according to the severity and impact of said treason.