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Bradley Manning reported a war crime, which was the right thing to do.The Childish Defense of Bradley Manning
March 5, 2013
By Alan W. Dowd
Army Pfc. Bradley Manning has confessed to providing military and diplomatic secrets to WikiLeaks, pleading guilty to 10 criminal counts for what he once bragginglyand erroneouslycalled the largest data spillage in American history. In fact, what Manning perpetrated was the purposeful, premeditated and arguably treasonous publication of stolen national-security secrets. This was not a leak or a spill.
It pays to recall that this poster-child hero of the anti-war left gave U.S. military and diplomatic secrets to an anarchist group. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange openly admits that he wants to bring down many administrations that rely on concealing realityincluding the U.S. administration. Likewise, Manning once boasted about worldwide anarchy in CSV format, a reference to the kind of files he surrendered to Assange.
Over the years, Assange and his anarchists have published operations manuals for the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay; classified reports on the Battle of Fallujah; detailed information on U.S. military equipment, by unit, in Iraq; gun-camera footage of a U.S. helicopter attack in Baghdad; a U.S. Special Forces manual for bolstering allied governments; CIA strategies to shore up public support among allied populations for the war in Afghanistan; Social Security numbers of U.S. military personnel; and private diplomatic exchanges.
...
In other words, WikiLeaks, whether unintentionally or purposely, puts the United States and its allies at a disadvantage. Some will say this has always been true of democratic governments vis-à-vis their dictatorial foes. But timing is everything. And WikiLeaks is shrinking the amount of time between policy formation, policy execution and public airingand thus shrinking the shadows where American foreign and defense policy can work.
The Childish Defense of Bradley Manning
Anyone who has seen that Collateral Murder video and thinks it's okay to shoot un-armed civilians standing in the street, is an anti-American asshole who should renounce his citizenship.Bradley said he was frustrated by his inability to convince his chain of command to investigate the Collateral Murder video and other war porn documented in the files he provided to WikiLeaks. I was disturbed by the response to injured children. Bradley was bothered by the soldiers depicted in the video who seemed to not value human life by referring to [their targets] as dead bastards. People trying to rescue the wounded were also fired upon and killed. A U.S. tank drove over one body, cutting the man in half. The actions of American soldiers shown in that video amount to war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting civilians, preventing the rescue of the wounded, and defacing dead bodies.
He pursued all avenues that were available and that went nowhere.There were means other than chain of command that Manning could have and should have pursue should he have needed to express his dissatisfaction with the US and it's activities. What he did was place many lives, not only US, at risk. He had no right to take matters into his own hands. He showed no regard for the value of life or the rights of others by these actions.
Soldiers are supposed to report war crimes.My major problem with Manning is NOT the information he leaked but his failure to live up to the oath he took.
He VOLUNTEERED to enter the military and swore to obey the lawful orders of those above him. By leaking that information, he violated the USMJ and should be subject to lawful punishment. In the case of Treason, that punishment could be DEATH!
The government has already publically stated no lives were put in danger with the release of the information.He pursued all avenues that were available and that went nowhere.There were means other than chain of command that Manning could have and should have pursue should he have needed to express his dissatisfaction with the US and it's activities. What he did was place many lives, not only US, at risk. He had no right to take matters into his own hands. He showed no regard for the value of life or the rights of others by these actions.
The government has already publically stated no lives were put in danger with the release of the information.
American's have a right to know if our government is committing war crimes.
Not to alien blabbermouths hostile to America.Soldiers are supposed to report war crimes.My major problem with Manning is NOT the information he leaked but his failure to live up to the oath he took.
He VOLUNTEERED to enter the military and swore to obey the lawful orders of those above him. By leaking that information, he violated the USMJ and should be subject to lawful punishment. In the case of Treason, that punishment could be DEATH!
At any other time I'd say "absolutely." However, the information has already been leaked that the death penalty would not be pursued.My major problem with Manning is NOT the information he leaked but his failure to live up to the oath he took.
He VOLUNTEERED to enter the military and swore to obey the lawful orders of those above him. By leaking that information, he violated the USMJ and should be subject to lawful punishment. In the case of Treason, that punishment could be DEATH!
He pursued all avenues that were available and that went nowhere.There were means other than chain of command that Manning could have and should have pursue should he have needed to express his dissatisfaction with the US and it's activities. What he did was place many lives, not only US, at risk. He had no right to take matters into his own hands. He showed no regard for the value of life or the rights of others by these actions.
The government has already publically stated no lives were put in danger with the release of the information.
American's have a right to know if our government is committing war crimes.
Manning is showing everyone what a true patriot is.This is what Manning agreed to when he enlisted and he swore to uphold: In the Armed Forces EXCEPT the National Guard (Army or Air)
"I, [Manning the Traitor], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
He became the enemy he swore to defend the US against.
When he couldn't get satisfaction from his commanders, he went to the media.Not to alien blabbermouths hostile to America.
He did not go to the American media, Loinboy. He knew our information would hurt Americans and our allies. He got our informants and their relatives in Afghanistan killed. He put literally tens of thousands of lives at jeopardy. Not just Americans, but Muslims in other countries as well.When he couldn't get satisfaction from his commanders, he went to the media.Not to alien blabbermouths hostile to America.
He placed a great many people in danger unnecessarily.Manning is showing everyone what a true patriot is.This is what Manning agreed to when he enlisted and he swore to uphold: In the Armed Forces EXCEPT the National Guard (Army or Air)
"I, [Manning the Traitor], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
He became the enemy he swore to defend the US against.
(COMMENT)He placed a great many people in danger unnecessarily.Manning is showing everyone what a true patriot is.This is what Manning agreed to when he enlisted and he swore to uphold: In the Armed Forces EXCEPT the National Guard (Army or Air)
"I, [Manning the Traitor], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
He became the enemy he swore to defend the US against.
I don't see any difference between Bradley Manning and Daniel Elsberg.Connery, loinboy, et al,
While I am definitely opposed to what Bradley Manning is accused of doing, and what he has admitted to doing, I still disagree with this basic assertion.
In writing this, I am in no way defending what Bradley Manning did. But I would like people to separate the chaff from the wheat.
(COMMENT)He placed a great many people in danger unnecessarily.Manning is showing everyone what a true patriot is.
Granted, he has violated the trust given to him. And he did divulge privileged information, but there was very little damage done (No Significant Finding in any Damage Assessment) and no classified source directly compromised. In some cases, he divulged information that was illegal to classify in the first place.
The State Department cables were not intelligence reports (a little known fact). So when people start spouting how much danger he caused, I would take a breath, and put your thinking caps on.
Yes, did he violate security protocols? --- Most certainly! But did he actually put America, or Americans at risk? Ah, that remains largely an unanswered question. To date, no so much.
This has become a case, very poorly managed, where the government painted themselves into a corner. If it was such a slam dunk case, the government wouldn't be on year three (3) trying to convict the kid. There is much more to this than meets the eye; especially for the layman.
Most Respectfully,
R
The government has already stated publically no one was put in danger.He placed a great many people in danger unnecessarily.
You are correct, the operative word being "lawful" Does he consider silencing war crimes a lawful order?Soldiers are supposed to report war crimes.My major problem with Manning is NOT the information he leaked but his failure to live up to the oath he took.
He VOLUNTEERED to enter the military and swore to obey the lawful orders of those above him. By leaking that information, he violated the USMJ and should be subject to lawful punishment. In the case of Treason, that punishment could be DEATH!
seriously. I also served & war crimes are a no no.Bradley Manning reported a war crime, which was the right thing to do.The Childish Defense of Bradley Manning
March 5, 2013
By Alan W. Dowd
Army Pfc. Bradley Manning has confessed to providing military and diplomatic secrets to WikiLeaks, pleading guilty to 10 criminal counts for what he once braggingly—and erroneously—called “the largest data spillage in American history.” In fact, what Manning perpetrated was the purposeful, premeditated and arguably treasonous publication of stolen national-security secrets. This was not a leak or a spill.
It pays to recall that this poster-child hero of the anti-war left gave U.S. military and diplomatic secrets to an anarchist group. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange openly admits that he wants to “bring down many administrations that rely on concealing reality—including the U.S. administration.” Likewise, Manning once boasted about “worldwide anarchy in CSV format,” a reference to the kind of files he surrendered to Assange.
Over the years, Assange and his anarchists have published operations manuals for the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay; classified reports on the Battle of Fallujah; detailed information on U.S. military equipment, by unit, in Iraq; gun-camera footage of a U.S. helicopter attack in Baghdad; a U.S. Special Forces manual for bolstering allied governments; CIA strategies to shore up public support among allied populations for the war in Afghanistan; Social Security numbers of U.S. military personnel; and private diplomatic exchanges.
...
In other words, WikiLeaks, whether unintentionally or purposely, puts the United States and its allies at a disadvantage. Some will say this has always been true of democratic governments vis-à-vis their dictatorial foes. But timing is everything. And WikiLeaks is shrinking the amount of time between policy formation, policy execution and public airing—and thus shrinking the shadows where American foreign and defense policy can work.
The Childish Defense of Bradley Manning
Anyone who has seen that Collateral Murder video and thinks it's okay to shoot un-armed civilians standing in the street, is an anti-American asshole who should renounce his citizenship.Bradley said he was frustrated by his inability to convince his chain of command to investigate the Collateral Murder video and other “war porn” documented in the files he provided to WikiLeaks. “I was disturbed by the response to injured children.” Bradley was bothered by the soldiers depicted in the video who “seemed to not value human life by referring to [their targets] as ‘dead bastards.’” People trying to rescue the wounded were also fired upon and killed. A U.S. tank drove over one body, cutting the man in half. The actions of American soldiers shown in that video amount to war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting civilians, preventing the rescue of the wounded, and defacing dead bodies.
The government has already publically stated no lives were put in danger with the release of the information.He pursued all avenues that were available and that went nowhere.There were means other than chain of command that Manning could have and should have pursue should he have needed to express his dissatisfaction with the US and it's activities. What he did was place many lives, not only US, at risk. He had no right to take matters into his own hands. He showed no regard for the value of life or the rights of others by these actions.
The government has already publically stated no lives were put in danger with the release of the information.
American's have a right to know if our government is committing war crimes.
That changed when certain information regarding Barack Obama's office emerged.
You know how it is.
No one was killed as a result of the release of this information.He did not go to the American media, Loinboy. He knew our information would hurt Americans and our allies. He got our informants and their relatives in Afghanistan killed. He put literally tens of thousands of lives at jeopardy. Not just Americans, but Muslims in other countries as well.
You're riding on a very high horse. This story that's going on right now? It's the manufacture of people who hate America who have benefitted from America. This will not end well, I guarantee you. Particularly for one like you who would like America wiped off the face of the map.
(CBS News Link) A U.S. Army judge has accepted an offer by a private to pled guilty to violating military regulations in the biggest leak of classified material in U.S. history.
Pfc. Bradley Manning admits to sending hundreds of thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield reports, State Department diplomatic cables and other files to WikiLeaks while working as an intelligence analyst in Baghdad.
An Army judge accepted the pleas to 10 charges at a hearing Thursday. Manning could face a maximum of 20 years on those charges alone.
Did you see the Collateral Murder video?I'm not the subject of this inquiry, Loinboy.
Bradley Manning is in hot water for exposing my country to more bad everything in the history of this nation. All this bullshit of him being a hero has been manufactured by enemies of the people of the United States of America.
(CBS News Link) A U.S. Army judge has accepted an offer by a private to pled guilty to violating military regulations in the biggest leak of classified material in U.S. history.
Pfc. Bradley Manning admits to sending hundreds of thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan battlefield reports, State Department diplomatic cables and other files to WikiLeaks while working as an intelligence analyst in Baghdad.
An Army judge accepted the pleas to 10 charges at a hearing Thursday. Manning could face a maximum of 20 years on those charges alone.
That does not include any of the major charges for crimes he has not plead to. He could be facing life for any one of those.
Your insistence that this traitor is somehow a hero and his critics are evildoers is way over the top. We're just waiting for justice to be done here, none of us knows what this court is going to decide, nor can we influence them in any way. Like other juries, they're not to read news reports or anything that is out there about this trial except what is presented to them in the court of law by the prosecution and defense. That's it.
The American people didn't deserve this sorrow sandwich handed to them by this lying, cheating criminal and traitor.
