Speak Out Against the Inhumane Imprisonment of Bradley Manning!
Dear friends of Bradley Manning,
Please take action TODAY to speak out against the intolerable conditions of Brad’s imprisonment. A press release we sent out today detailing some of those conditions and pointing to other reporting on the topic follows.
"Caged" by Dave Nakayama, [email protected]
Contact the Quantico base commander:
COL Daniel Choike
Phone: +1-703-784-2707
3250 Catlin Avenue
Quantico, VA 22134
Contact the Marine Brig commanding officer:
CWO4 James Averhart
Fax: +1-703-784-4242
3247 Elrod Avenue
Quantico, VA 22134
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Supporters Call for End to Inhumane Treatment of Bradley Manning
Quantico, VA, December 22, 2010 – After trying other avenues of recourse, the Bradley Manning Support Network is urging supporters to engage in direct protest in order to halt the punitive conditions of the soldier’s detention. Bradley Manning, 23, has been held in solitary confinement in military jails since his arrest in late May on allegations that he passed classified material to WikiLeaks..
In the wake of an investigative report last week by Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com giving evidence that Manning was subject to “detention conditions likely to create long-term psychological injuries”, Manning’s attorney, David Coombs, published an article at his website on Saturday entitled “A Typical Day for PFC Bradley Manning”. Coombs details the maximum custody conditions that Manning is subject to at the Quantico Confinement Facility and highlights an additional set of restrictions imposed upon him under a Prevention of Injury (POI) watch order.
Usually enforced only through a detainee’s first week at a confinement facility, the standing POI order has severely limited Manning’s access to exercise, daylight and human contact for the past five months, despite calls from military psychologists to lift the order and the extra restrictions imposed.
Despite not having been convicted of any crime or even yet formally indicted, the confinement regime Manning lives under includes pronounced social isolation and a complete lack of opportunities for meaningful exercise. Additionally, Manning’s sleep is regularly interrupted. Coombs writes: “The guards are required to check on Manning every five minutes [...] At night, if the guards cannot see PFC Manning clearly, because he has a blanket over his head or is curled up towards the wall, they will wake him in order to ensure he is okay.”
Denver Nicks writes in The Daily Beast that “[Manning’s] attorney […] says the extended isolation — now more than seven months of solitary confinement — is weighing on his client’s psyche. […] Both Coombs and Manning’s psychologist, Coombs says, are sure Manning is mentally healthy, that there is no evidence he’s a threat to himself, and shouldn’t be held in such severe conditions under the artifice of his own protection.”
In an article to be published at Firedoglake.com later today, David House, a friend of Manning’s who visits him regularly at Quantico, says that Manning “has not been outside or into the brig yard for either recreation or exercise in four full weeks. He related that visits to the outdoors have been infrequent and sporadic for the past several months.”
Bradley Manning Support Network founder Mike Gogulski stated that “the Marine Brig is using injury prevention as a vehicle to inflict extreme pre-trial punishment on Bradley Manning. These conditions are not unheard-of during an inmate’s first week at a military jail, but when applied continuously for months and with no end in sight they amount to a form of torture.”
The Bradley Manning Support Network calls upon Quantico base commander COL Daniel Choike and brig commanding officer CWO4 James Averhart to put an end to these inhumane, degrading conditions. Additionally, the Network encourages supporters to phone COL Choike at +1-703-784-2707 or write to him at 3250 Catlin Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134, and to fax CWO4 Averhart at +1-703-784-4242 or write to him at 3247 Elrod Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134, to demand that Bradley Manning’s human rights be respected while he remains in custody.
# # #
References:
“The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning’s detention”, Glenn Greenwald, 15 December 2010, http://www.salon.com/news/wikileaks/?story=/opinion/greenwald/2010/12/14/manning
“A Typical Day for PFC Bradley Manning”, David E. Coombs, 18 December 2010, http://www.armycourtmartialdefense.info/2010/12/typical-day-for-pfc-bradley-manning.html
“Bradley Manning’s Life Behind Bars”, Denver Nicks, 17 December 2010, http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-12-17/bradley-manning-wikileaks-alleged-sources-life-in-prison/
Bradley Manning Support Network, http://bradleymanning.org/
The real hero of our times is this man. He is suffering for freedom. Thanks Bradley, you are in my thoughts and hope you will enjoy the freedom you gave us as soon as possible again. Thanks from the Netherlands!
We’re sending up prayers of peace and goodwill to Bradley Manning from the church here in Wales. We are also praying that his jailers and oppressors will wake up and desist from playing the part of Pontius Pilate in this latest attempt at crucifixion.
I can only say, that I support Bradley Mannings actions about leaking informations. He has done in the public interest for all human kind, so we are able to have openess about military actions in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.
For now, he should have normal treatment in jail, according to international human rights!
God bless You Bradley Manning, merry x-mas and the best wishes for 2011!
Peter, Denmark
Hi All,
I have posted some campaign letters to various recipients regarding Bradley Manning’s imprisonment. I do believe every opportunity must be taken to highlight this case, and make public opinion known. I also campaign on issues of a similar nature, we need a big push forward on all fronts.
I suggest a campaign of mailing plain white bed sheets to the Base Commander. If he will not allow Bradley to use them, they can use them in their next attempted cover up.
Demand Humane Treatment for WikiLeaks Whistleblower Bradley Manning http://bit.ly/fQDeiT
Dear “Whoever can get Bradley Manning released the quickest”,
It is appalling (and should be to everyone) that Bradley Manning is being held. I hereby ask, nay, demand his immediate safe release.
Very Sincerely Yours,
John Koutsoupakis
NYC, USA
EEUU;esta representado por MISS LIBERTY;nada mas entrar a una de sus ciudades.LA más representativa y Conocida en el viejo continente europeo y el resto del MUNDO;conocida por LA GRAN MANZANA (NEW YORK).Dicho fruto fue esparciendo sus semillas,por todo el resto del continente norteamericano.LLegando con los años a formar LA UNIÓN DE ESTADOS,más PODEROSA SOBRE ESTE PLANETA.
Pero como todo IMPERIO;NO FUÉ CONSTRUIDO.BAJO LA SABIDURIA Y LOS ORDENES DIVINOS.De los que tanto alardeán HASTA EN EL PROPIO JURAMENTO;QUE HACEN AQUELLOS DESEOSOS DE OBTENER LA NACIONALIDAD NORTEAMERICANA.
Que facilmente NORTEAMERICA (como cualquier pais del globo terraqueo) HA OLVIDADO;LOS PECADOS DE SU PASADO.AL MASACRAR A LOS VERDADEROS DUEÑOS PRIMITIVOS DE AQUELLAS TIERRAS.Su propia guerra de sececion A LA QUE AÚN NO LE HA HECHO JUSTICIA.TODAS LAS GUERRAS PARA EXPANDIR SU PODERIO POR EL MUNDO.LAS GUERRAS SUCIAS,DONDE INOCENTES HAN SIDO VICTIMAS ACALLADAS POR LOS FUSILES.LAS PERDIDAS CONTRA SU OPONENTE COMUNISTA.DONDE SUS HIJOS PERDEDORES FUERON TRATADOS A SU VUELTA;COMO ANIMALES OLVIDANDOLOS Y BORRANDOLOS DE SU HISTORIA.EN ASILOS AISLADOS U CON PAGAS DE MISERIA.Y QUE PRONTO SUS SERVICIOS DE ESPIONAJE,SABEN QUITAR DE EMMEDIO A TODA PERSONA QUE INTENTE SACAR;SUS VERDADES OSCURAS A LA LUZ PUBLICA.
HOY ENCIERRA A UN SIMPLE SOLDADO;POR EVADIR DOCUMENTACION SECRETA.CARA A LA SOCIEDAD,QUE LLEVA PAGANDO LOS ASUNTOS SUCIOS DE SUS DIRIGENTES.CON EL SUDOR DE SUS FRENTES Y TRABAJOS DECENTES.
PIDEN LA EXTRADICCION DE JULIAN ASSANGE;EL DUEÑO DE LAS PAGINAS DE WIKELEAKS.QUE HA DESVELADO LA CORRUPCION DEL PODER YANKY AL RESTO DEL MUNDO.PARA CORTAR DE RAIZ LA HOLA.DE TANTAS ATROCIDADES COMETIDAS CONTRA LA HUMANIDAD INOCENTE.EN CUALQUIER PUNTO DEL PLANETA.
TODO ELLO ¿PARA QUÉ?;PARA TAPAR EL CONTROL DIRECTO SOBRE LA POBLACION,NO SOLO ESTADO UNIDENSE.SI NO SOBRE LA DEL RESTO DEL PLANETA,QUE SE OPONGA A LOS DESIGNIOS DE LOS PODEROSOS DE ESA PATRIA NORTEAMERICANA Y EL QUERER DOMINAR AL RESTO DEL MUNDO.
ASI NO SE DOMINA NADA;NI A TUS PROPIOS ALIADOS.QUE EN UN MAÑANA TENGAN QUE UNIRSETE PARA EVITAR UN PELIGRO MAYOR DE ATAQUE CONTRA TUS INTERESES ECONOMICOS U PATRIOTICOS.
TU QUE PREGONAS LA LIBERTAD DE TUS CIUDADANOS;¿POR QUÉ?,ENCADENAS SUS PALABRAS,LAS QUEMAS O LAS DESTRULLES.
TU QUE HABLAS DE VALORES MORALES,DE CONDUCTAS RECTAS,DE LEGALIDAD,JUSTICIA,IGÚALDAD,DE DEMOCRACIA AUTENTICA ETC.¿POR QUÉ? LA EMPAQUETAS,LA CLASIFICAS,LA ESPIAS Y ESCONDES TRAS LOS MUROS DEL PENTAGONO Y SUS SATELITES ESPECIALES.COMO LA CIA,FBI,MARINES,GÚARDIA NACIONAL ETC.
¿CUÁL ES TU TEMOR PARA DICHA ACCIÓN?;QUE A QUIEN LE HAS CAUSADO DAÑO.SIMPLEMENTE TE LO DEVUELVA CON OTRO 11-DE SEPTIEMBRE.QUE NOS COMMOCIONO AL MUNDO CIVILIZADO.PUES NO HAY DERECHO RECONOCIDO BAJO NINGÚNA LEY.PARA QUE NADIE COMETA DICHAS ATROCIDADES.
PERO TU EEUU,NUNCA ABRISTE LA VERDAD SOBRE DICHO ATAQUE Y HOY ESA VERDAD.HA SALIDO A LA LUZ;POR UN SIMPLE SOLDADO Y UNA RED DE TECNOLOGIA.QUE LLEVAS AÑOS VENDIENDOLE AL MUNDO.DESEANDO CORTAR DICHA INFORMACION CUESTE LO QUE CUESTE.
PARA TAL VES TAPAR OTRAS VERDADES,QUE PUEDAN MAÑANA SALPICAR TU PROPIA HONORABILIDAD DE INTENCIONES.COMO EL SEGIR MATANDO A INOCENTES LIBRES DE CULPA (BASTA CON VER LOS VIDEOS;EN LOS QUE MANDAS MATAR A INFORMADORES DE PRENSA;PARA LLAMARLES DESPUES VICTIMAS COLATERALES) EN CUALQUIER PAIS DEL MUNDO.CULLOS DIRIGENTES SEPAN DECIRTE !NO!;A TUS INTENCIONES DE PODER SOBRE ELLOS.
ASI NO SE GANAN BATALLAS,NI AMIGOS,NI ALIADOS;SOLO ODIO CONTRA TU IMPERIO Y ENEMIGOS QUE LE CAUSEN DAÑO A TU POBLACION.IGÚAL DE INOCENTE Y NO INFORMADA DE TUS VERDADEROS ASUNTOS SUCIOS O LIMPIOS.
EXISTE UNA LEYENDA QUE NOS DICE:SI UN PAIS NO SABE RECONOCER LAS ATROCIDADES COMETIDAS EN SU PASADO.REMEDIANDOLAS Y RESARCIENDO CON VERDADERA JUSTICIA.LA SANGRE DE LAS VICTIMAS INOCENTES CAIDAS POR LA CORRUPCIÓN DE SUS DIRIGENTES EN EL PODER.
TARDE O TEMPRANO;VOLVERA A COMETER LOS MISMOS ERRORES Y LLEGE UN DIA A VER SU PROPIA DESTRUCCION.POR PARTE DE AQUELLOS A LOS QUE CAUSO DAÑO,BIEN SIENDO SUS PROPIOS CIUDADANOS.PAGADORES DE ESOS ERRORES U AQUELLOS LEJANOS A LOS QUE CAUSO TANTO DAÑO POR SUS ACCIONES.
LA PROPIA LIBERTAD,LE PERTENECE A CADA PERSONA Y SER;QUE NACE EN CUALQUIER PARTE DEL GLOBO TERRAQUEO Y NADIE,NI NINGÚN PODER.TIENE DERECHO ALGÚNO A ARREBATARSELA Y MENOS AÚN QUITARSELA COBRANDOSE LA PROPIA VIDA DE DICHA PERSONA O SER.
CUANDO NORTEAMERICA U CUALQUIER OTRO PAIS DEL MUNDO:LLEGE A ALCANZAR LO QUE EXPREZAN DICHAS PALABRAS.EN EL MUNDO REINARA “LA VERDADERA LIBERTAD HUMANA”;TAL Y COMO DIOS NOS DEJO EN SUS DIVINAS PALABRAS.MIENTRAS LA PROPIA MISS LIBERTY,ES TAN SOLO UNA ESTATUA U ADORNO.COMO OTROS MILES DE ADORNOS ESTAN REPARTIDOS POR ESTE PLANETA.SIENDO UNICAMENTE ICONOS FALZOS;DE LO QUE REPRESENTAN.
Bradley Manning and everyone persecuted for exercising their Constitutional rights should be universally hailed as heroes, because they are. Who knows how much more cautious the US govt will be about restricting my right to free speech because he exercised his?
Why is Obama allowing him to suffer for answering the President’s own call for more transparency in government?
@ the first # listed above COL Daniel Choike, Phone: +1-703-784-2707, I was given an alternate # to call which is: 703 432 0289. Haven’t tried the second # yet.
The fax # for CWO4 Averhart is not working. It rings and answers but does not connect the fax. Have been trying for over an hour. Any other numbers?
Glad he’s behind bars for leaking my countries secrets. If everyone went round leaking secrets it would be a grim world to live in.
The inhumane treatment of Bradley Manning only adds to the revulsion with which posterity will regard the perpetrators. It is not a crime to expose war crimes. The malice with which Bradley Manning is being treated can only mean to many of us that he is being tortured as a warning to others – which can only mean that the authorities concerned must be aware of many more atrocities that they are determined to keep secret.
To treat Bradley Manning in this fashion is to signal to the world that the western powers are no better than the terrorists they are trying to destroy. To do this is in effect to declare victory to the terrorists in any propaganda-war. At the very least, Manning must be treated humanely with full recourse to due process. Better yet would be to free him, mention him in dispatches, and launch immediate and genuine investigations into the conduct of any units likely to bring the reputation of the Coalition into disrepute. This is a My Lai massacre moment – news of it cannot be suppressed for long. For the authorities to attempt to do so will do more harm than good to themselves.
I, as well as those of us sympathetic to Bradley Manning’s plight have a personal duty or responsibility to push hard for his speedy release from prison and end to his inhumane detention. Pfc. Manning is a political prisoner whose ‘crime’ was exposing embarassing ‘secrets’ our government and news media believe would make it weak. This courageous young man needs our help to overcome the Military’s and Media’s scapegoating of him.
Bradley has shown us a glimpse of the first challenge to our corrupt version of democracy I have seen in my life-time. Freedom-of-information- I started imagining a democratic election process where you can see all the communication between all of the members of parties/candidates and judge for yourself who to vote for. It lets me sleep at night, even if bradley is not allowed to. “worldwide debate, reform…” its coming mate! THANK YOU
Bradley – we send you as much support as we can. You are not alone on this one. Truth is the root of what we are, a humane, loyal trustworthy human being. Thanks for showing your true colours. Alot of people do not have the courage to show theirs – it takes an inner strength to do so. Again, you are not alone. Merry Christmas to you. Yasmine
This is to Alex May and others who may think like this, this site is for the SUPPORT and FREEDOM of Bradley Manning, not for him to be trashed. I’m sure there are sites out there for that, so please find those. Our country would be a better place if the government didnt feel that it had the right to keep so many secrets from us. If they had released the video and other information requested by Reuters in regards to their employees that were in the crossfire in the first place, than the whole issue may have been settled before Manning ever even had to view it himself, nor would he ever have been morally obligated to release it in the first place. Maybe you should read up more on the issue before you state opinions like that. If americans would become more involved with whats going on around them, not just their own small little worlds, we’d all be in a better place. Educate yourself! That is the only way reforms can be made, not by complaining while you do nothing. Truth and answers need to be demanded, and journalism should never be regulated. Look at history. When journalism is governed and controlled, we become easy prey to people like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin. Our generations need to not be like those that blindly swallowed the propaganda they were fed when JFK was assassinated. Get the facts, not opinions, and make up your own mind. The JFK fiasco is a perfect example that you CANNOT believe everything you see on the news. For godsakes, these news anchors just read whats written for them off a teleprompter, no different than an actor reading a script. To accept the opinions of others as your own is just plain ignorance. It brings shame to all those who fought to create this country for us in the first place. Bradley Manning is an example that all citizens can live by, whether of this country or not. If this man broke a law, show me this law, do not just preach to me, cause hot air has no value to me. And even then, I still may not agree to it, cause all laws of society must have at least a foundation in morality, or else chaos would rule, and I see no immorality in what Manning did, in fact quite the opposite. Tyranny needs to be ousted, Presidents who think they have the right to assassinate an american citizen without due process need to routed, and a system that can arrest and imprison a citizen without justification, without filing charges and ignoring all rights stated in the Constitution, needs to be reformed. Why must a man be rich to run for President? Why must millions need to be campaigned for? Why must the ones running all be over 50 years of age, when it is no longer their future so much as the futures of the young? The policies they create are the policies that we have to live with and suffer under. Our country is in crisis, in a 21st century version of our civil war, and like then, we need a common man to come into office, one who knows what it is like to be poor, to have to earn by hard labor for the food on their table and the clothes on their back. One who through a thirst for knowledge, educates themself. Does this type of man sound familiar to anyone? It should because I am speaking of a man who would be of the same cloth of one of our very own, Abraham Lincoln. If we all could strive to have the same moral fiber as Manning, the same sense of justice, then our government would have no choice but to follow suit, because eventually, WE can replace those that are in office. It must be us, the younger generations, that move to do this. Statistically speaking, as it is right now, our generation is the lowest represented group across America, because we not only dont bother to vote, but we dont even bother to educate ourselves on the issues of our time. Look to Manning and follow his lead I say.
Will the President ensure that any conditions of torture or likely torture used on Bradley Manning while in military prison be immediately stoped? Does this President condone the use of torture?
POSSIBLE TALKING POINT: US Army Prisoner of War Resistance Manual from 1981 (FM 21-78) lists isolation/solitary confinement under “Communist Methods for Forcing Cooperation”.
I am currently working on a piece addressing just this issue and will post here when finished. Bradley Manning is the real hero of the Wikileaks debacle. Bradley, my prayers are with you.
Kelly James
I agree with the Rev. Pfc Manning is being crucified by those who recognise his alleged actions as detrimental to their power.
These 5 minute wake up calls are a recognised torture technique. It has already been reported elsewhere that the AG is “applying significant pressure” to get Brad to say that Julian Assange helped him hack into the database in exchange for a lenient sentence. He has refused to do this because it simply isn’t true. Some people in the know have expressed concern though that the techniques applied in his case may break him eventually and he will confess to whatever they ask under extreme duress; a sad outcome for all concerned.
It has always been the way that those who stand up for truth and justice are brought down by the very forces they challenge. That said, although the situation is very bleak for Brad, his impact on the international landscape is profound and very very positive. Ghandi was persecuted, but managed, through the courage of his convictions, to oust the British. Mandella was imprisoned, but through the courage of his convictions, managed to bring an end to apparteid, even Rosa Parks played a small but significant role in bringing about the American Civil Rights movement – there are so many examples of the successes that come from individuals refusing to accept injustice.
The love and gratitude of a much more open and hopeful world are yours this Christmas Season Bradley. Biggest Love and Prayers from my family
In reading about the history of America, I found this speech from the 1960s, from Mario Savio. It’s a very good speech.
“There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you sick at heart so , that you can’t take part; you can’t even tactily take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop…..”
He was talking to students about free speech, but to me, these few words seem to be the reason for Mr. Manning’s actions.
I wish he had sunlight, because it really seems that when he loses this, so do we all.
call for a wordwide demo
we are helding in portugal a protest near to the USA embassy to support bradley manning in january 29, we are spreading the word, hoping that more people in other countries want to do the same. So the preassure to release the boy be more intense.
It is truly insidious to think that Bradley Manning released secrets which comprise our safety. The only threat to our safety is the outight lies spat at us by government officials, and the fools who believe them. It is no secret innocent people have been murdered throughout this war, among many others. The longer Bradley Manning is detained, the longer the United States government admits the actions displayed by its pilots in this tape were entirely unlawful, immoral, and frightening. A soldier should exist to uphold truth and justice, not to be comdemned by it. Our thoughts are with you Bradley Manning. You are not alone.
My family and I feel greatful and in awe of what Bradley has done- he is a true hero and an absolute inspiration. At such a young age he has shown such amazing courage to do what he obviously felt was a moral obligation- particularly in a world that seems to be so full of selfishness and hate.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bradley- now and always. We think of you every day and are filled with pride and hope for humankind.
Hayley, David, Lilah, Lola xoxo
Australia
Sans doute héros malgré lui mais héros malgré tout ce jeune homme paie très cher notre droit à l’information. Quant à Barak Obama, sa présidence semble tout autant inhumaine et entachée d’exactions que celle de Bush ; les tortures endurées par Bradley Manning lui seront un jour comptabilisées. Il faut que cela cesse !
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer
German philosopher (1788 – 1860)
Bradley Manning is now suffering thru the second stage
I am always suspicious of a country and a system where the spend to get elected to public office by far exceeds the pay provided by the same public office
the $50 million minimum it takes to get elected to be president to a job that pays $400.000.00 hints at other forces at play silent investors etc
when your young are sacrificed by the powerful and the elite .when the previous vice president served on the board of a company that gained the biggest financial benefit of the iraq war selling sometimes shoddy material and products that kill your troops before they even had left the barracks
he didn’t betray your country the country has betrayed him
simply put in a land that teaches it citizens the values of truth honesty integrity for the formative years of his life and then expects them to be put on hold for a tour of duty in a foreign land and not expect this sort of outcome is crazy
he is the” deep throat” of the 21th century Woodward and Bernstein have a new book to write
and who was “deep throat” the 2ic of the FBI office who watched his country falter under a perhaps corrupt president
Bradley has uncovered the duplicity of diplomacy
the tide has gone out the truth has been unveiled and many have been found swimming naked with nowhere to hide
The first casualty when war comes is truth.
Hiram Johnson , 1917
The truth is more important than the facts.
Frank Lloyd Wright (1868-1959
Defending the truth is not something one does out of a sense of duty or to allay guilt complexes, but is a reward in itself.
Peter Bechmann
Please don’t lie to me, unless you’re absolutely sure I’ll never find out the truth.
Ashleigh Brilliant
Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
THE CIA has established a task force to examine the impact of the release of thousands of US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks, The Washington Post reported today.
The task force is officially known as the WikiLeaks Task Force, however at CIA headquarters it is often referred to by the impolite acronym WTF.
WTF is what a lot of people are now asking of their governments they now have proof of what the always suspected that their governments elected by the people for the people where when convenient lying to them
ALL gov’t officials take OATH to “secure the Blessings of Liberty … of our Lord” (quoting a PURPOSE found in Preamble, United States Constitution; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVsMUpPgdT0 ; 5 minute video). The SAME Oath I took, 1971.
I’m ASHAMED of EVERY soldier NOT standing with Bradley.
Was it Bob Chapman who recently said, ‘When Americans take up arms, 60% of police and military will lay theirs down’? I believe they’ll take theirs UP WITH AMERICANS AGAINST gov’t. Possibly starting 1st Corinthians 15:24, “Then the End will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed ALL dominion [territory of gov't], authority and power.” That kingdom, handed to US at last supper (Luke 22:29). Last quote, New International Version, emphasis added.
I wish I knew whether to wait or MARCH. I believe Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells me to wait for at least one other. Any other followers of the ‘Anointed One’? That’s ‘Christ’ if you speak Greek. [email protected]
ALL gov’t officials take OATH to “secure the Blessings of Liberty … of our Lord” (quoting a PURPOSE found in Preamble, United States Constitution, and final clause. SEE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVsMUpPgdT0 ; 5 minute video). The SAME Oath I took, 1971.
I’m ASHAMED of EVERY soldier NOT standing with Bradley.
Was it Bob Chapman who recently said, ‘When Americans take up arms, 60% of police and military will lay theirs down’? I believe they’ll take theirs UP WITH AMERICANS AGAINST gov’t. Possibly starting 1st Corinthians 15:24, “Then the End will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed ALL dominion [territory of gov't], authority and power.” That kingdom, handed to US at last supper (Luke 22:29). Last quote, New International Version, emphasis added.
I wish I knew whether to wait or MARCH. I believe Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells me to wait for at least one other. Any other followers of the ‘Anointed One’? That’s ‘Christ’ if you speak Greek. [email protected]
2010-12-23 03:28
this is shame
How the U.S.A. can call itself a democratic country, in the light of the treatment, beeing meeted out to Bradley Manning, I do not know.
Only in Fascist and other dictatorial regimes does one witness such barbarity.
His nearest counterpart in the U.K. Julian Assange after the High Court in London dissmissed a request from Sweden to ban his bail application.
Now on bail, Julian Assenge has free access to the outside world and is being hosted by a supporter in a 10 bedroom mansion.
Quite a contrast isn’t it.
Bradley Manning deserves freedom! What he did was an action of great courage and deserves praise rather than punishment. Those war crimes committed by the American army in Iraq need to be published to further condemn this senseless war.
Bradley Manning is a true hero and, even though, I know there is litte hope for him to ever get released. I wish him the very best and hope that he at least gets transfered to a prison with more humane conditions.
Greetings from Germany!
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Where is Amnesty International on this ??
What Bradley needs is some suitably applied pressure from your governors and senators and those hold public office
Data mine the internet and find all relevant address of all your public figures both state wide and country wide
Plus any in the military the top level of all commanders of all your camps and aircraft carriers
The first question i would be asking would be of all
Are any of your children in the service and serving in Iraq or Afghanistan
if not why not
so where do they get the right to comment and dictate to others funny how the elite of a nation avoid the conflict but reap the profits and the ordinary joe in the street pays for it with the deaths of their young
in a nation that launched the tea party in a matter of months it is time for the youth of America to insist on the freedoms to all that their fathers and forefathers
fought and sacrificed their lives for
you are the youth you have the connections text, blog, im, facebook twiiter each and every one
dam it if you can waste your time twittering a celebrity just to get them to lead the most twittered person in the world you can use the full force ot he social networks to effect change
set a blog face book pages for each and every public official copy and paste your emails to them and copy and paste the replies the sheer weight of number will force the change you require
seriously with a collective effort you the youth can help brad put down your game consuls and pick up your laptops and note books
it will take but five minutes out of your day share the nike mantra just do it
Hi all. I’m trying to organise a protest/vigil for Bradley in London, UK. If you’re interested in getting involved please e-mail me at [email protected]. I urge everyone who’s able to get to London to get involved, we need to take action on this now and raise awareness because a lot of people are still unaware of who Bradley is. Thanks.
Bradley,
You are a true patriot in the same way that Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere and others were. Your courage and steadfastness in the service of Liberty deserve the thanks of every freedom-loving man and woman. You are an inspiration, sir, and we are all in your debt. I called the base commander’s office to protest your treatment in the strongest possible way. I signed the petition in your behalf. But more important, I keep you in my prayers constantly. May the gracious Creator bless you and strengthen you in this terrible ordeal.
Your most obedient servant,
John Sampson
I am writing to ask that the United States Government intervene to alleviate the suffering of Bradley Manning. Irrespective of political viewpoint, all right thinking people would refuse to condone such treatment of a man who is to be considered innocent until proven otherwise.
Dear PFC Manning, Thank you for your bravery in exposing the war crimes and the disgusting, sickening, illegal torture that puts our troops and all Americans in harms way.
With all due respect,
Ivan Sizemore
I just don’t see how any American can celebrate Christmas with us, through our government, being responsible for the destruction of this innocent adolescent. It is bad enough that most of us live our lives as if this is not happening, putting it aside so we can be normal and blend with our society. It is worse that so many of us consider him the criminal, ignoring the criminals he exposed.
Now, I am about to drive 200 miles to spend time with my family, who will want to see me cheer up. My children are there, so I am going.
My fellow Americans, the liars are winning. They have been for a long time. I know of no time when the liars were not winning. Some of us were blessed with a disposition that finds comfort in the midst of this. I don’t wish to be one of those. I wish for the truth to win for a change.
President Obama, as Commander in Chief, you have the power to do right by Bradley Manning, held in YOUR prison that YOU command.
Bradley Manning, you have given your life for Democracy, but Democracy fails you. Merry Christmas to you my friend. If I had the money, I would get you out of where you are.
My family has fought in every major war in American history, including the Revolutionary War. I have a nephew who is in Afghanistan, fighting on the ground and getting shot at, for all the wrong reasons. I am appalled that my country is again fighting a war that it cannot win, and hiding torture from the public. And shame on George Bush for condoning it during his presidency. It is time for Obama to speak up against the treatment of Bradley Manning. The fact that the military is holding him in solitary without even charging him with a crime is a crime against humanity. My family fought against the British so that they could have freedom. Too bad that all of our government seems to be involved in hiding the truth from the public.
So, Obama, what are you going to do about this? I think that the majority of Americans who understand exactly what he leaked would say that his acts were patriotic – he didn’t just “follow orders.”
Not only has Bradley carried out the bravest act by anyone this century,
sacrificing his own safety for the chance of awakening every human being
on this planet to the true awareness of what is being done out of sight
and out of mind, in the face of the most rabidly vicious and fortress like
system imaginable, but even in his detention he has revealed that the
american government allows it’s military arm to subject it’s OWN soldiers
to the same treatment it developed at abu graiv, bagram and guantanamo,
treatment that roused the whole world in condemnation at what was clearly
and still is clinically calculated torture. Nothing could show in more detail
in the full glare of the spot light of the world’s horrified attention
the utter moral corruption and sadistic love of of causing suffering and
destruction exemplified in the people who have been trusted to manage the well-
being, safety and happiness of the people who live in america, than their
treatment of this sensitive, intelligent and well brought up young man.
Bradley Manning has done what no ordinary mortal could even imagine could be
possible. We are humbled and will not rest until he is released or the causes
of his being able to be treated like this have been faced and defeated.
A mediados del siglo 20;un hombre de color.Levanto su voz frente al Capitolio diciendo:tengo un sueño,tengo un sueño.En el que el ser de color;si ace un siglo y poco mas.LA CONSTITUCION NORTEAMERICANA,ABOLIO LA ESCLAVITUD.QUE PESABA SOBRE NUESTRA RAZA;HOY LEVANTO MI VOZ PARA QUE DE UNA VES.DEJEMOS DE SER CIUDADANOS DE SEGÚNDA O ULTIMA FILA.
AQUELLAS PALABRAS;LE COSTARON LA VIDA;COMO A OTRO PRESIDENTE.CON IDEAS APERTURISTAS SE LA ARREBATARON AÑOS MAS TARDE.POR HACER DE ESA NACIÓN UN PAIS DONDE CABIAN TODOS LOS CREDOS Y LAS LIBERTADES.
HOY UN CIUDADANO DE SU EJERCITO HA ABIERTO LAS PUERTAS HACIA UN CAMBIO;DE DICHAS LIBERTADES.
CUANDO AL VER LAS ATROCIDADES;COMETIDAS CONTRA GENTES INOCENTES.POR LAS ARMAS DE QUIENES SE AFERRAN HA IMPLANTAR LA LIBERTAD POR LA FUERZA.EN PAISES DOMINADOS POR EL HAMBRE,LA MISERIA Y DIRIGENTES FANATICOS QUE NO RESPETAN LOS DERECHOS DE SU CIUDADANIA.
SUFRE LA PERSECUCION Y ENCARCELAMIENTO.POR LOS INTERESES OCULTOS DE LOS CAPITALISTAS.DE SU NACION;QUE MANDAN A SOLDADOS A GUERRAS ABIERTAS POR DICHOS INTERESES.
SI POR DECIR LA VERDAD Y EL PORQUE,HIJOS DE LA PATRIA NORTEAMERICANA MUEREN EN LOS FRENTES ABIERTOS Y MATAN A INOCENTES,PUES ASI SE LES ORDENA.SE MERECE UN JUICIO.
ESTE CIUDADANO DE GRANADA ESPAÑA,PREGUNTARIA A LAS FAMILIAS DE LOS MARINES FALLECIDOS ¿QUIÉN GANA CON ESAS GUERRAS?.QUE PARA COLMO PAGAN CON SUS TRIBUTOS.
APARTE AL EXCELENTISIMO PRESIDENTE DE DICHA NACION;EN EL QUE MILLONES DE DESAMPARADOS SIN DERECHO A SANIDAD PUBLICA,EN PARO POR LA CRISI FINANCIERA,TEMEROSOS DE CATRASTOFES NATURALES ETC.BLANCOS,NEGROS,AMARILLOS,EMIGRANTES DE CUALQUIER PARTE DEL MUNDO.QUE FORMAN EL CRISOL DE SU ACTUAL CULTURA Y QUE HAN DEPOSITADO SUS ESPERANZAS.EN DICHO PRESIDENTE;AHORA ¿LES VA HA DEJAR SIN DICHAS ESPERANZAS?.
SE HA OLVIDADO;CUALES SON SUS VERDADERAS RAICES Y QUE GRACIAS A QUIENES LEVANTARON SU VOZ EN DECADAS PASADAS.AQUELLA SEMILLA SE HA VISTO REALIZADA EN SU PERSONA.OCUPANDO LA PRESIDENCIA DE LA PRIMERA POTENCIA MUNDIAL.SI LAS PALABRAS QUE PRONUNCIO EN SU DISCURSO DE TOMA DE PODER PARA CAMBIAR EL MUNDO HACIA UN NUEVO ORDEN MAS JUSTO,SOLIDADIO Y PACIFICO.PROCURANDO QUE DICHOS DERECHOS SE EXPANDAN A OTROS CONTINENTES ESCLAVISADOS
ENTONCES ¿POR QUE?,NO DEJAR LIBRE A QUIEN HA ABIERTO LA CAJA DE LAS VERDADES OCULTAS.
SEÑOR PRESIDENTE DE EEUU;EN ESPAÑA UNA GRAN MAYORIA DE CIUDADANOS.APLASTADOS POR UN GOBIERNO,QUE NOS LLEVO TAMBIEN A DICHA GUERRA;COMO ALIADOS DE USA Y A OTRAS EN DIFERNTES PUNTOS DEL MUNDO.
DEPOSITAMOS NUETRAS CONFIANZA,EN OTRO PRESIDENTE.QUE NOS PROMETIO UN CAMBIO PARA EL BIEN DE ESTE PAIS Y LAS CLASES MÁS DESFABORECIDAS.
HOY TRAS DOS LEGISLAURAS ESTAMOS PAGANDO,TODO LO QUE LAS GUERRAS TRAEN A LA HUMANIDAD.
TANTO QUE AL VER LAS ESPERANZAS PERDIDAS EN EL NUEVO PRESIDENTE AL CÚAL PUSIMOS EN EL GOBIERNO.
LAS GENTES;ESTAN SALIENDO A LAS CALLES PROTESTANDO AL VER NUESTROS DERECHOS PERDIDOS.
CREO QUE USTEDES SEÑOR BARAK OBAMA Y JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO,SON LOS DOS PILARES BASICOS.PARA QUE EL MUNDO LLEGE A LA PAZ,JUSTICIA Y LIBERTADES.QUE LAS GENTES NECESITAN,PARA ALCANZAR UN NUEVO ORDEN MUNDIAL Y AÚNQUE,LOS PODERES SUPERIORES A USTEDES.ANCLADOS AL PASADO Y NO DESEOSOS DE DICHO CAMBIO.LES PONGAN NOCIONES DE CENSURA,ZANCADILLAS,TRAMPAS Y LEYES EN CONTRA DE DICHAS METAS.PUEDEN HACER VALER CONTRA SUS OPOSITORES,EL ARMA MÁS POTENTE QUE EXISTE.
QUE NO ES OTRA MAS QUE LOS MILLONES DE PERSONAS QUE DEPOSITARON EN LAS URNAS DEMOCRATICAS.LA CONFIANZA EN SUS PERSONAS COMO LIDERES.
ASI QUE AL IGÚAL QUE LE ESCRIBO AL PRESIDENTE DE MI PAIS,PIDIENDOLE EJEMPLOS POR DICHO CAMBIO Y DEMOSTABLES.
LE ROGARIA A SU EXELENCIA,DEMUESTRE QUE ESTA A FAVOR DE DICHO CAMBIO.
NO TAPANDO MAS MENTIRAS,QUE SIEMBREN DESCONFIANZA EN SU PUEBLO.SI NO DICIENDO LAS VERDADES DE LAS QUE USTEDES NO SON CULPABLES Y DEJANDO EN LIBERTAD A QUIEN.POR CONSCIENCIA HUMANA.LAS HAN EXPUESTO A LA LUZ PUBLICA.
PUESTO QUE LOS GOBERNANTES EN CUALQUIER PUESTO DE PODER.GANADO CON MENTIRAS.
COMO DICE UN REFRAN ESPAÑOL:SE PILLA ANTES A UN EMBUSTERO,QUE A UN COJO.
SEGIDORES DE ESTE BLOC,LAMENTO NO SABER INGLES.NI HABLADO COMO ESCRITO.
AQUI SOLO DOI MI OPINION PERSONAL;SOBRE LO QUE ME PARECE UN ATROPELLO CONTRA UN CIUDADANO LIBRE Y HUMANO.QUE NOS HA MOSTRADO CON DOCUMENTOS VERIDICOS.LO QUE SON CAPACES DE HACER.TODOS AQUELLOS QUE USAN LAS ARMAS PARA IMPONER SUS PROPIAS IDEOLOGIAS.SIN RESPETAR LEYES,NI AL RESTO DE LOS SERES HUMANOS.
SI ALGÚN LECTOR O LECTORA;ESTADO UNIDENSE SE VE OFENDIDO POR ESTE MI ESCRITO.PIDO PERDON POR DICHA OFENZA.AL IGÚAL QUE SI DESEA PUBLICARLO EN REVISTA O PERIODICO.TIENE MI PERMISO PARA HACERLO.COMO SI LO HACE LLEGAR EN MI NOMBRE O EN EL SUYO A LA PRESIDENCIA DE SU NACIÓN.
PUES SUPONGO TRENDRA PAGINA WED;PARA ATENDER A LOS CIUDADANOS.COMO EN MI PAIS.ROGARIA QUE NO AÑADIESEN PALABRAS U OTRAS IDEAS;QUE NO SEAN LAS POR MI ESCRITAS EN ESTE TEXTO.
!GRACIAS!
To the U.S. Government,
You’ve been caught with your trousers down and now everyone is pointing and laughing at you. Nothing you do to Bradley Manning will change that. The truth is out.
It’s now clear beyond any reasonable doubt that the U.S. perceives the rest of the world as idiots who’re there to be manipulated for your own gains. It’s clear that any talk about seeking freedom and truth for all is but a smoke screen and you’ll carry out whatever injustices you wish, when and where you please.
The american way: hide truths, oppress the free & crush those that cannot defend themselves. Sound familiar? Oh yeah, isn’t that supposedly the sort of people you’ve been fighting wars against for the last 234 years?
America, you’re at a junction. Take the right action now. Release Bradley Manning and hold him up high as a beacon for all that your nation was founded on. Otherwise, one way or another, it’ll all come back to haunt you.
Sadly, like all the great people that stand for truth and freedoms but end up imprisoned for it, I suspect Manning will spend the next 20 years behind bars. Yet, to coin a phrase, behind bars he’ll become more powerful than they can possibly imagine. The support for him will only grow as more people in the world become sick of the way our governments act. Eventually he’ll be freed and when that day comes he’ll be hero.
Bradley is unique and indeed very heroic! Everyone know’s it!
We all know that if we were in his shoes, most of us would not take the action that Bradley did, simply because we are all aware of the consequences. For such a young man to be so brave is not only admirable, but very commendable as well!
It is now our responsibility to speak up as he did and get this brave man released before he succumbs to the obvious atrocities that are being committed against him.
After all, he did it for us and for his fellow men and women in Iraq. At the end of the day we are all HUMAN!
You know it wouldnt be that hard to have a very stern talk with the Brig Commander. I am willing to bet he lives off base among the civilian community. A little night time raid on his house….
Here is his picture:
http://s894.photobucket.com/albums/ac149/montfordpointmarines/?action=view¤t=JamesAerhartMPMAOfficialPhoto2.jpg
Alex May might not be so glad a citizen can be punished for blowing the whistle on torture, illegal detention, and the murder of innocent civilians if Big Brother came for him. By that time, maybe there won’t be anyone left to make a fuss.
PFC Manning is a hero. May his tribe increase.
It appears that Pvt. Bradley Manning is being used as an example to show others what happens when you question the authority of this Corporate-Fascist American belief, i.e. dogma. So far it looks as if he is not being charged?, nor in fact are there charges pending? Regardless if there are charges, he is being treated as if he were guilty and THAT IS NOT AMERICAN. It appears that the American government is criminal in regard to Pvt. Bradley Manning. What more can be said, but free Pvt. Bradley Manning!
The bare facts of this are an utter disgrace to civilised society and to all those involved in Mr Manning’s (should be illegal) imprisonment. Regardless of anyone’s thoughts about the nature of his offence, or indeed his guilt, thus young man has not been indicted for any crime – he should not be in prison at all, let alone for months on end in barbaric conditions. Everyone who is complicit in his continued imprisonment is an embarrassment to themselves and their families – from the guards waking him at night, right through to the President of the USA.
We can have no claim to even hold the ideals of a just society while individuals are able to have their dignity and their freedom stripped in this manner – at the unlawful drop of a hat. Shame on the conscience of all those involved.
I was able to call the number listed in the article. The Colonel was unavailable but I spoke with a very polite young service member who took my message. I told him to pass along to the Colonel that I protested Cpl. Manning’s holding conditions, and that even under military law it was inappropriate treatment. I also added that, were he “guilty” I felt his actions as a soldier in revealing potential war crimes was a heroic thing to do. I was sure to add a Merry Christmas to the very professional young man, who of course is a soldier doing his duty and away from his own family on this day. And Merry Christmas to you all- This young man deserves our support and his detractors should be aware that there are times when true patriots are called by a higher sense of duty to stand alone. If he were accused of selling dangerous secrets to our enemies, my feelings would be different- He is not. Our government has decided that it’s okay to do some fairly questionable things on our behalf, and frankly now they are embarrassed to have their doings see the light of day. I’m very afraid this young man may have traded many years of his life for his principles. If so, God help him, he is a braver man than me by far Let’s see how severely this young man is held accountable, and watch how many true war criminals walk away without a word spoken by legions of cowards…. After all……They were just following orders….
One wonders how far Bradley Manning must go in his plight before he becomes a true martyr. If the U.S. government “lets him [forces him to] die” in prison, he WILL certainly become a martyr. If rather, he merely goes ‘insane’ through all the various torture techniques (approved also by the American Psychiatric Association), the government will have more ‘control’ (they are calculating) on how they will (or will NOT) portray Private Manning in the media. I believe they are betting on his going insane. They’ve done it before; they are experts at this.
The government has a lot to lose if Bradley dies is confinement.
How can we put pressure on the officials who have the ability to release Manning before he becomes more mentally unstable (due to various torture techniques being used on him)? How can we INSIST upon his quick release from the utter Hell he is being subjected to at this moment?? WE, THE PEOPLE can & will HELP SET BRADLEY FREE, if we have the DESIRE. We can do it. We just need to push harder somehow and be smarter.
DEMAND JUSTICE!!
FREE BRADLEY MANNING!!
P.S. Thank you Pfc. Manning for being the bravest person in the world. It’s quite ironic that on this is Christmas Day you are being held & tortured for speaking truth to power.
Bradley is on one of the greatest assets to the human race. Bradley Manning is a true hero. One of the finest soldiers ever enlisted.
Post a picture of Bradley Manning on facebook and tag all your friends with a link to collateral murder google it.This will appear to all your friend’s friends. Tell your friends to do the same. This story needs to get maximum exposure quick-time.
Bradley is one of the sovereign canditate to the Nobel Peace price. Stop the torture.
Best regards to Bradley from Thomas /Northern Norway
Well you know, the lowly patriot rots in a cold, damp, sealed cave. The villain bathes in luxury. Bradley and Bush (the Butcher).
He lives in Dallas or Crawford Texas. The Butcher. It’s a gated community in sunny Dallas. A large expensive sliding gate, better than the kind used to protect an english castle.
Bush ordered troops to seize the castles found in Iraq. A dictator was hunted down like an animal, and then hanged to death. Watch what you say, boy, or else. A patriot once threw a shoe at him (and now rots in jail). That’s as near anyone will ever get to him.
He’ll tell you he’s your hero. LOL ! His wife flew to Afghanistan, during a recession, burning thousands of gallons of fuel. She then warned us of how they treat their women, while our men (and women) bomb those women (and their children, and fetuses). That Bitch will tell you how many kids must die or lose limbs or be maimed to achieve the correct moral amount of justice.
Manning was messing with vicious, dangerous dictators (the Butcher and his Bitch). Even Obama is afraid. His two daughters will never see the military from the inside (the same for the Butcher’s daughters).
If Bush is so good, if he kept us safe, then why does he require all that security ? Why would anyone in Crawford or Dallas want to harm him (or her) ? Was Manning arrested in Texas ? More people died under Bush than under Hussein.
They’ll use Manning as an example. They can’t come for everyone of us.
@Alex May,
Though you’re glad he’s behind bars for leaking our country’s secrets (most if not all of the leaked secrets ought not to be secrets), you still should be royally pissed that they’re torturing him prior to his Article 32 Hearing*, in gross and flagrant violation of Articles 10 & 13.
Have you seen the North Baghdad “Collateral Murder” video? It turns my stomach! Pfc Bradley Manning should be commended for leaking this!
It is now Boxing Day, 26 Dec 2010. Pfc Bradley Manning is still in Quantico, in the Maximum Custody Detainee Facility. Despite the MC staff psychologist and his lawyer having determined him to be mentally healthy early on, he is STILL on a “Protection Of Injury” watch, meaning he’s denied exercise, denied sunlight, denied the ability to get restful sleep, he’s in his cell 23 hours a day, he gets 1 hour of television a day when no news is on, he is denied human contact except visitors once a week and they have to communicate with him through inch-thick glass, all the adjacent cells are empty so he has noone to communicate with other than a guard who asks him every five minutes “are you okay?” and he has to respond affirmatively. Presently he is the ONLY inmate in the brig (prison).
Two really egregious points:
1) His sleeping conditions: he sleeps on a mattress with a built-in “pillow” (a lump, really) under an extremely heavy blanket. It’s as heavy as an x-ray apron and has the surface texture of coarse industrial carpet. He’s required to strip to his boxer shorts before retiring to bed. I don’t have to tell you what the blanket does to his “junk” when he turns in his sleep. He frequently wakes up in the morning with carpet burns, even “down there.” There is a light in the hallway and his mattress is positioned so the light shines in his face so the guards can check him every five minutes. If his face is hidden in any way, they wake him up. I’m sure he frequently wakes up through the night because of the blanket, too.
2) He gets zero exercise except one hour to walk around an empty indoor room either in circles or figure eights. While in chains. He has not been let outside for more than four weeks now. they will not let him do any exercise in his cell. His lawyer says that at present he can do stretching and yoga. But how long before they say he can’t even do that? And you need exercise to sleep soundly.
This inhumane treatment is worse than the sort of treatment inflicted upon heinously violent murderers, even ones who repeatedly violate prison rules! Yet he has not been convicted for any crime; he has not stood trial in a Court Martial; he has not even received his UCMJ Article 32 Hearing* yet. And yet he is being given a cruel and unusal punishment.
Regardless of whether you think Bradley Manning is a traitor or not, you don’t punish someone prior to his conviction and especially not like this!
Now the most important thing: MSNBC had a friend of his from Boston, David House, on the Dylan Ratigan Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvhO9pEPzSY last week. Mr. House says Bradley Manning’s physical and mental well-being has deteriorated significantly since he first met him in September. He also wrote a blog post stating the same at firedoglake.com. No, he is NOT a journalist!
*(Grand jury Indictment Hearing in civilian life)
I had no idea of the above situation with Bradley until I arrived in the UK for my annual holiday. I do this to thank those hwo supported me during my time in exile, during the Apartheid years.
There are many similarities between the Apartheid Govt. and the tactics employed by those who will use the media or so-called experts the smear anyone who exposes injustice or corruption; (Our current South African government seems to be perfecting the worsts oppresive traits of the previous government they so much hated) Shows you just what power can do to a newly liberated democracy!!!. What I am saying here is that it took me a while to search for a more balanced reporting of Bradleys story and it is with this in mind that I am writing to offer my best wishes and support for this brave and principled young man.
Bradley you are going to need lots of self-belief and courage to survive what will be coming your way. So far you have demonstrated that the values you hold dear are more powerful than the bullying and lying of those who wield power. I urge you not to lose hope and be asured that you will not be forgotten.
This is shameful and outrageous. Americans should call upon President Obama to intervene immediately in this gross miscarriage of justice. The whole tragic episode is a festering sore on the face of the nation.
Where we live in a society that promotes democracy and freedom of speech, this truly seems absurd. There is no democracy in torture, no democracy in forced imprisonment, no democracy in silence. We cannot stand by and be silent, the passive observers. We cannot simply allow governments to own us, to strip us of our humanity. We are born free and equal, this is our birth right. the dictation of war and violence … who decides for us that this is noble truth to so called protect us. it is not to protect us, but to protect the governments that hold self interest. Bradley Manning, how you are suffering for us all. All great sages and truth spoeakers have suffered the same fate. when will we all wake to this ? SAY NO! RECLAIM YOUR RIGHTS AND FREE BRADLEY MANNING NOW!!!!!!!! protest until your mouth run dry then protest agin. we cannot let a brother rot in some hell hole for us, to be forgotten as last weeks news. keep him alive and raise your voices. the time is now. not tomorrow not yesterday. now.
They are keeping him in solitary because they are afraid he will talk!
We are doing a direct action on Wed 12/29 at Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, California to call for Manning’s release, to support GI resistance and to stop the Drone attacks. We are Code Pink and others….
I’d only told them the truth. Was that so selfish? Our integrity sells for so little, but it’s all that we really have. It is the very last inch of us, but within that inch, we are free
That quote was from V for Vendetta…check it out…suppression of rights and information by governments. We must speak out for what is right.
PLEASE release Bradly Manning!!
God bless this man
He is MY HERO!!!!
Please someone, tell me how Bradley Manning’s plight is DIFFERENT from Jesus Christ’s time on the Cross.
What I saw on the video he exposed makes me sick. I am ashamed to be an American..
Thank you Bradley.
You are a hero
What Bradley Manning did was right! The military would have covered up the crimes committed by the pilots. What Bradley did took courage. We cannot let soldiers get away with war crimes!
The military is suppose to show honor and integrity! Where is the honor in shooting unarmed innocent civilians!
The video clearly showed Americans with rifles at the end of the video. That proves that the Iraqis were not carrying AK47′s! You would have seen them if they were! The pilots made stuff up so they could have an excuse to shoot and kill people!
Bradley had to do the right thing by exsposing their actions!
His act was true heroism.
Bradley,thank’s for your courage.
I urge you not to lose hope and be asured that you will not be forgotten.
from shanghai china
Please release Bradley Manning. He has not been charged with a crime, and is suffering inhumane conditions.
Thank you Bradley, for sacrificing your freedom to protect our right to know what our government is doing.
Please do not lose hope. I still hope this saga will take a turn for the better.
Stefanie, from USA
I applaud Bradley Manning’s actions about leaking information in the name of freedom. His actions coupled with those of Julius Assange have dealt censorship a serious blow.
However, unlike Assange, I believe Manning’s actions were less noble and more for personal gain and less to fight censorship. Mannings knew what he was doing was against the law. In fact, I believe manning though of his actions as wrong, immoral, illegal and treasonous.
Assange is the real hero here. Assange did what he did in name of freedom, against censorship, oppression and control. I don’t think Assage believed what he was doing was wrong, imoral or illegal in any way, shape or form.
yes his treatment is inhumane. Yes that is wrong. What pfc manning did was also wrong. No, his crimes do not justify his treatment now. Neither does the the crimes the pilots committed justifiy what he did. If it werejust about what the pilots did, then release the video. He did more than that though, didnlt he? I truly believe this _____________ (world, country, government….. You decide how to fill in the blank) has too many secrets. Some are wrong and some are not. Case in point, should Valarie Plame’s secret been shared and the lives of her and those around her been put in jeopardy? Does anyone know with absolute certainty that none of the leaked documents will harm any Americans? If not then he committed the worst crime any soldier could given the oath he took.
I agree with most comments on this site. He deserves more humane treatment and he deserves swift justice by a jury of his peers whether that be favorable to him or not. He deserves every right entitled to him bought and paid for in blood and sacrifice by the men and women in our military, including him.
Wow, it seems that some people didn’t learn a thing from the 20th century. Let’s recap: Nazism is not a viable system of governing, Fascist behavior is hazardous to the innocent, and the Nuremberg defense is NOT a defense. Manning did the appropriate thing: he reported crimes that were committed in YOUR(OUR) NAME, crimes YOU(We) FINANCED AND THUS OSTENSIBLY APPROVE OF: the MURDER of innocent civilians. Now the rationalizations for the actions of this remote control, game console like-death is not worthy the effort of contemplation. Grow a pair and take a stand. Live free or die.
Well Said Jon Jacobs.
I also feel we have a repeat of Mccarthyism tactics going on today. It scares me.
Happy New Year Bradley!!
My son and I had a very dark holiday season because of all that you and Julian are going through. As a personal protest we had no tree, no lights, just a few gifts. I got pretty ill from the stress, all the reading, writing and hoping, wishing I could do more than that.
Hang in there! Every hero goes through dark, it’s in the job description. Every new sun rises, so take your Kryptonite with a smile, and know you’ll be glorious in the outcome! You have too many people behind you. You have the World behind you, buddy! There is safety in numbers!!! It’s a new year, and new hope.
We love you and are all with you 100%!!
This soldier should be given a medal of freedom instead of court martialed. America does not stand for freedom anymore but spying on citizens for decades-starting ILLEGAL WARS STARTED BY LIES FROM CORRUPT LYING MURDERING POLITICIANS.
Bush should be in jail not this truthful soldier.And if you don’t let him out Obama-YOU belong in jail.
Where were these “watchdogs” who were following Bradley Manning’s so called leak prior to 9/11?
If our govt. spent half its efforts looking at the important stuff rather than harmless “leaked” info, we’d be better off. Seems like a case of distorted priorities.
The video of those awful murders of civilians was aired tonight (9/01/11) on Flemish television.
I praise the man who had the courage to leak these to the press.
He is a hero of humanity.
I wish we had more like him.
I sincerely hope that Bradley Manning will eventually walk free – a true citizen and an example to us all.
PFC Manning is being tortured, isolated
Bradley is the Winston Smith of the 21st century. Never realized that the 1984 “Thought Police’ would become our reality.
I’m attending a Save Bradley Manning/ Wikileaks Support Rally today in Seattle. I hope we get big numbers attending…
Sadly, I somehow doubt that it will get much media attention though.
Release him now!!!! It is a shame that he should be in prison.
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Nance
Such a strong and admirable young man, Bradley stands for truth and justice for our country and the world. He can and will in his darkest hour find the strength to remain strong and know and believe that what he did was the right thing to do. He has renewed my faith in the human spirit. And at a time when corruption has seeped into every fragment of our daily lives there is among us a true hero, who represents the truth…Bradley Manning. I ask that Power that is greater than all humankind be with him now and throughout his life as he is faces unspeakable challenges.
May I add my own prayers & good wishes for Bradley, from Ireland.
We can set him free. The more of us that support him, and Julian Assange, the sooner he will have to be freed. We have the strength of numbers! In our hearts we all know what is truth, and what is lies.
I would like to see all the other soldiers coming forward & supporting him, & refusing to carry on this charade.
Guilty until proven innocent. This is the new American way. And no evidence is necessary to order someone killed. Just the say-so of the man with the gun.
Everything Americans have worked for over the past 227 years, to establish the rule of law over the emotions of the mob and the predations of the aristocracy, has been nullified by fake terror, insincere legislators and endless bribery.
Vigilante justice is the new order of the day in this frightening 2003 edition of the United States of America. Due process, the right to a fair trial, the right to be safe and secure in one’s home ” these are all things of the past, things we used to defend as the best traits of American freedom in those happy days before the “War on Terror.”
Now we are defending the right of the president to order people killed because he says they are bad guys. He doesn’t need any evidence because he’s the president, according to Ari Fleischer, his sycophantic press secretary. This is what we are presenting to our children as the actions of a democracy.
Mark,
You’ve really summed it all up in a nutshell. Scary, isn’t it?
The ‘land of the free’? Hardly.
Mark,
You are exactly right! And now the US government are now openly fascist, telliong corporations who and what other economic entities they can and cannot associate with. And they are trying to project their delusions of absolute power worldwide!
Bradley Manning is a true hero. He provides a contrast to the evil of the methods used to torment him.
No one, even a convicted criminal, should be tortured like this. To do this to a young man who was only doing his duty and who has not been charged is a a great travesty of justice. That the Commander-in-Chief is a Constitutional scholar only adds to the irony of the situation.
In a real democracy or any healthy society, telling and exposing the truth would not ever be a crime. Hiding the truth and keeping secrets are a key component in lies, sickness & disease. Knowing the truth allows psychological integration.
Today I saw in Truthout that Dennis Kucinich has gotten involved with finding out why Bradley Manng is not being released. I hope that this increases the pressure on the U.S. government to a positive outcome for Pfc. Manning.
I applaud Mr. Kucinich. At least one member of Congress understands due process, although, let us be clear, the military has its own definition. Why is that?
A man has died in Gunatanimo: was he guilty? I don’t know, no one knows; he was never charged nor was he brought to trial. They are sending him home in a box. Nine years, no charge, no trial.
Bradley Manning’s friends were delayed and harassed when trying to see him. These soldiers harassed them for so long that they missed the meeting time. Yes, the mllitary seems to have its own rules. Why is that?
Bradley Manning, I am thinking positive thoughts for you, and negative thoughts of a justice system that is so UNJust. Why is that?
@L.M. Marshall, Yesterday I saw at The Daily Paul that libertarian-minded conservatives are taking note of Bradley Manning’s mistreatment and speaking out against it. Including Judge Napolitano at Fox!
Truly, this will take a left-right coalition against the authoritarian “centre.”
@Ed M:
Thank you very much for informing me of these developments concerning Bradley Manning. It seems like quite a positive and hopeful turn of events. Perhaps more ‘consevatives’ could be made aware of Pfc. Manning’s situation in order to speed up his release.
Yes, L.M. Marshall, I hope you’re right. I’ve been following Manning’s situation for some months now and just hope and pray that it improves soon. The latest we’ve heard is that his has been in a catatonic state of late. I just hope now permanent psychological damage has been done. He is truly a hero, and will hopefully get to see the positive outcome of his actions one of these days (hopefully sooner than later).
What concerns me quite a bit is that Private Manning is being forced to take a number of psych meds. These could do him as much or more psychological harm conceivably than the time he’s spent in slitary confinement at the prison. Some meds can act like a horrible, internal ‘straightjacket’ once taken.
Susan Lindauer’s recently published book: ‘Extreme Prejudice’ (2010)contains terrifying insights into the use of psychiatric abuse in the pre-trial legal system, especially re. political prisoners; it reads just like Soviet ‘re-programming’ – see Wikipedia ‘Punitive Psychiatry in the Soviet Union’. WE HAVE TO FIGHT THIS HORROR
They act like the Nazi’s : Befehl ist Befehl.
They are not better.
Let justice win.
With Mubarik’s recent ouster by the Egyptian People, it must give other world ‘leaders’ pause. Perhaps this new tide of grass-roots (desert-sand) democracy will spread the world over. (Gosh, I hope so…).
We owe it to Bradley Manning to lift him up onto our collective shoulders and spread the knowledge of his courage and present confinement and punishments. It seems that only by more people the world over becoming aware of the positive stand Bradley Manning has taken for the (former American) ideals of justice, as well as his present incarceration without trial or conviction will perhaps come the pressure needed on our U.S. Government to free him.
Change is in the air right now. A fresh look at democracy for all peoples is being examined; including the rights of political prisoners, like Brad Manning. Help Bradley ride the wave of freedom
that’s coming.
If you can all spare a few dollars,pounds etc….get T-shirts printed up with a picture of Bradley Manning…make as many people aware as you can…make packs of playing cards with his face on the back…I hope to God these evil @ucks get a taste of their own medicine…peace to you all.