Why is Bradley Manning a hero ?

[surfdog]

I must be missing something , can somebody lay it out for me ?

Thanks in advance

[sudopod]

1. Just to annoy you. :) nt

Last edited Thu Mar 15, 2012, 07:44 PM - Edit history (1)

[itsrobert]

2. He's not

Don't worry, he's going to jail for a long, long time.

[SomethingFishy]

3. Because he stood up for what was right not

what was "legal" or "easy". And he did it at risk to himself. But you will never get it. Never.You have a belief system and no amount of facts can change your mind. All you have is snark.

Let me ask you a question. You posted yesterday that Democrats are hypocrites. So why are you posting questions for them? If they/we are hypocrites you'll never get the answer you want so why ask the question?

[surfdog]

6. I'm confused

Are you telling me Manning knew what he was stealing ?

That's the only way your argument makes sense is if Manning knew what he was stealing

So , did he know ?

[SomethingFishy]

10. Are you telling me he didn't?

And why do you care what I think, I'm just a hypocrite remember?

[surfdog]

12. "Are you telling me he didn't?"

Yes I'm telling you he didn't

[RevStPatrick]

4. Yep, you're missing something, all right...

Maybe even several somethings?

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. He didn't follow the family's football tradition.

Other than that, I have no idea, either.

[Son of Gob]

7. You leave Cooper out of this.

[crazyjoe]

8. they are going to love him in prison....litterally

[RZM]

9. Here are some reasons

I don't really consider him to be a hero, but here's my take on why some people do:

1) His association with Assange and Wikileaks. Assange is also a hero to many of the same people. Wikileaks is popular among some some on the left because it is something of an anti-war, anti-US foreign policy organization. There are lot of people out there who don't approve of what the US does around the world and welcome information that portrays US foreign policy in a negative light, especially inside information that can't really be spun or denied.

2) He's a whistleblower. These types of people often earn respect, especially to those who feel vindicated by the information presented. Plus, the information he leaked was classified. The mere fact that it was not supposed to be known makes it seem like reward when it does become known.

3) He's something of a martyr. He's facing a long stretch in the slammer and hasn't had the best of treatment so far. Plus the institutions using their power against him (government and military) are often criticized for being heavy-handed.

4) He's gay. This isn't essential to the story - he would still be considered a hero if he wasn't. But it doesn't hurt, since in the west especially, left-wing views on foreign policy and strong support of LGBT issues tend to go hand in hand. Plus his orientation perhaps taps into his motivation for doing what he did, i.e. feeling alienated, not belonging in military culture, etc.

[surfdog]

11. How can he be a whistleblower ?

He had no idea what he was stealing

Does the ends justify the means

[girl gone mad]

13. Then by your distorted logic Ellsberg was not a whistleblower.

[surfdog]

14. You need to take a second look ....

at what happened concerning the Pentagon papers

[EFerrari]

15. Dan doesn't think so. He's a huge supporter of Brad's.

You seem to be the one who is unclear on the concept.

[girl gone mad]

18. What happened was that Ellsberg released thousands of pages..

classified as "Top Secret" without having read but a handful.

Ellsberg himself has made the analogy.

[joeybee12]

16. Unrec...nt

[OPOS]

17. He's no Hero, he's a zero...

He beat upon a female Soldier, Specialist Jihrleah Showman hitting her repeatedly in the face causing welts before she pinned him to the floor of the TOC. Sorry, way I was raised you don't raise your hands against a woman.

[EFerrari]

20. Way you were raised you processed prisoners out to certain torture though?

You followed illegal commands?

You looked the other way from crimes against humanity?

Cool.

[GeorgeGist]

21. Because he spilled the beans ...

on sociopaths.

[GeorgeGist]

22. Your welcome.

In advance.