Comments on: Day 5 of Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearing: In-depth notes from the Art. 32 courtroom

By: o.w.

o.w. — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:31:17 +0000

I have to disagree.

Nothing Manning released was “top secret”, and yet the government has leaked classified information to major news outlets. Why are they never prosecuted or even investigated?

Bradley Manning did complain and use other channels. He was ignored. WikiLeaks may have been his (or whoever leaked the informations) best option. Was he concerned about catching flack? If the chat logs released by Wired are real – then yes he was concerned, he just felt there was no other way – he wanted people to see what was going on. Again, this is as pure a case of whistle-blowing (which yes, by definition involves breaking certain rules to expose far worse crimes).

You admit the video should have been released, so why is no one being charged for trying to keep it secret? you shouldn’t be able to classify a document to cover-up war crimes.

Beyond that, the Collateral Murder video was only one important piece of information leaked. I suggest you read the post “What WikiLeaks” revealed” to learn more about the actual leaks.

This is a clearcut case of whistle-blowing, and should be treated accordingly. When Bradley Manning was deemed guilty by Obama, it was certainly “undue command influence”, and its effect is demonstrated in arguments like yours. You have judged Bradley Manning guilty without ever going to trial. When Obama made that statement, it made it impossible for most military persons to think otherwise. Too many members of the military have forgotten that people are innocent until proven guilty – even under the uniform code of military justice.

The people responsible for treating Bradley Manning so brutally should also be charged. As PJ Crowley stated, Bradley’s treatment has been “ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid”. (http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2011/03/pj_crowley). Given this treatment, a fair trial is impossible, and Bradley Manning should be released.

He is a hero, and no threat.

By: Manning_is_A_Traitor

Manning_is_A_Traitor — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:47:04 +0000

The NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreements) he signed stated that unauthorised intentional release of classified material is a felony. No mater how you look at it he did just that and should be punished accordingly. as far as the helicopter video there are multiple channels he could have sent that up that are in place for checks and balances. He was obviously not concerned with catching flack from reporting this video. so no mater how you look at it he has broken the law and will be punished for his crimes. A hero would have sent the video up all the proper channels which does include several civilian groups so they do not report to the Army.

By: Dorla Arksey

Dorla Arksey — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:22:19 +0000

War represents only death in intent and result. All acts of war prove that it is greed and desire for power that is the ultimate evil.

By: John Ellis

John Ellis — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:00:19 +0000

War is the illusion that force can overcome evil, provided it is more deadly and brutal then evil.

“You have read that it was spoken…
‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ I now say to
you, Do not use force to overcome evil. Instead,
whenever you are slapped on the right cheek,
turn to them the other.”