Bradley's attorney David Coombs, in Ft. Meade

David Coombs posts message of gratitude for Bradley Manning supporters. Bradley’s lawyer David Coombs today posted on his blog a message of gratitude for those who’ve supported Bradley through his two years of pre-trial confinement:

At every court hearing, I am given the opportunity to witness this support first hand.  The attendance by supporters during these hearings as been nothing short of inspiring.  Although my client is not permitted to engage those in attendance, he aware of your presence and support.

During our latest hearing on 6 – 8 June, I was particularly struck by the warmth of support by those in attendance.  At one point during a break, I had causally mentioned that it was my anniversary.  Apparently a supporter had overheard this statement, and took up a collection to give flowers, a balloon, and a thoughtful card to me and my wife.  This kind gesture is emblematic of the type of people who are supporting Brad.

I would like to publicly thank all those who have supported my client over the past two years.  I also want to pass on the following message from Brad:  “I am very grateful for your support and humbled by your ongoing efforts.”  Brad also asked me to specifically thank on his behalf the unflinching support of Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network.

What happens in this court-martial is of vital importance to all of us.  With your continued support, we will ensure that justice is achieved for Brad.

Support Bradley today – donate to the campaign and defense fund, post a photo of solidarity, attend his next courtroom appearance, June 25 in Ft. Meade, MD.

Kevin Zeese was on RT last week to report back from the Ft. Meade courtroom and discuss the wider implications of Bradley’s case:

Kevin Gosztola was on RT’s Alyona Show, also reporting from the hearing, talking about the prosecution’s extensive evasions regarding damage assessments:

David Sirota criticizes White House hypocrisy on leaks. While the Obama administration cracks down unprecedentedly hard on whistle-blowers it promised to protect, it leaks selectively to the press that which it believes will help its public image:

Over the last few years, whistle-blowers and whistle-blower enablers like Bradley Manning, Julian Assange and the New York Times’ James Risen (among others) have publicized corporate and governmental wrongdoing at great risk to their lives and careers. These were courageous acts of self-sacrifice on behalf of larger ideals.

At the same time, Obama administration aides have selectively leaked secret information exposing such wrongdoing (in this case, the president engaging in due-process-free executions) — but at little risk to their lives and careers (except perhaps for some momentary partisan blowback over their willingness to go to such lengths to protect their boss). These were craven acts of self-preservation aimed not at protecting ideals, but at burnishing the president’s political image. And while President Obama on Friday vehemently denied that his administration has been strategically leaking this information, the facts, to put it mildly, suggest otherwise.

This reveals what has long been implied, President Obama is aggressively persecuting whistle-blowers for exposing embarrassing secrets, not because they endangered national security. As Captain Tooman, one of Bradley’s lawyers, said in court last week, “’National security’ means protecting the people, not protecting the government from embarrassment.” (Read more…)