By: David Eberhardt

David Eberhardt — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:26:39 +0000

On 2/23/12, Bradley Manning was arraigned at Fort Meade, Maryland- meaning his case will proceed to court martial in June or August and he will be tried on 20 + counts- including leaking classified documents (to wikileaks) , unauthorized use of these documents, theft of same, aiding the enemy and so many others. He could receive a life sentence.
Of course, one of the items he leaked was a video of an Apache helicopter attack on Iraqis where civilians, including children, and Reuters newspersons were murdered by U.S. gunners (a documentary entitled is now being shown ( see Washington Post article of 2/22 in the Style section entitled ).
I – David Eberhardt, peacenik and Cde Pink member from Baltimore, Md. was able to address the court at the end of the proceedings and say, “Judge? Isn’t a soldier required by law to report war crimes?” There were many other stretches of silence during the quite boring and routine procedure of arraignment- in which prosecutors, defense, and even Bradley all nod their heads in agreement with the Judge- but, besides wondering if Bradley’s defense really wants loud demonstrations, many other occasions where I could have shouted out this message- but- I was glad not to be hustled out of the courtroom, let alone arrested.
I chatted with Michael Ratner, down from New York from the Constitutional Law Center and looking after Jul;ian Assange’s (wikileaks director) interests (Michael has much experience as a lawyer defending radical defendants- whether Bradley is one or not). I asked him if he had see the movie about the “White Rose”- the student group executed in Nazi Germany- had he seen the courtroom scene.
I can’t say this ws too similar- what with the female Judge so unlike Herr what was his name, who screamed out insane Nazi proclamations- but, still….the comparison was unavaoidable.
The courtroom – with its spiffy US uniformed bailiffs- had an eerie, horrible feel- as if a humonguous train was bearing down on the petite Manning- it had the feel of a gas chamber entrance with all its hypocriseys (too strong)?
Press was there in abundance- possibly more from the rest of the world than the sleepy US which would rather not be bothered about war crimes. I would say- in the courtroom-20 media and 15 civilian. I do not know if Manning’s relatives were present. I wish I had asked.
Bradley has not expressed a great deal of political involvement- p;erhaps wise given the sentence he faces.
But- the whole world is watching. I wish I had said that also.

By: Jean Gerard

Jean Gerard — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:18:54 +0000

Every person in the world who understands the importance of a free and open Internet to the future of freedom of information and of democratic self-government is being asked to stand in support of Manning and Assange — a once in a lifetime opportunity to do the right thing.

Comments on: Update 3/2/12: Manning’s motion hearing scheduled March 15, Jane Hamsher finds Stratfor’s FBI source

By: David Eberhardt

By: Jean Gerard