Frontline special on Bradley Manning and Wikileaks

[Renew Deal]

I finally watched the Frontline special on Wikileaks and Bradley Manning. It was informative. I think it painted a mixed picture of Manning. He was a troubled and sympathetic figure, partially because of his emotional issues. Where things are left to the viewer to decide is whether he is a hero, a traitor, a crazy person or something else. He writes like he's doing something great for the cause. Stuff like him willing to die in prison makes him sound like a hero "i wouldn’t mind going to prison for the rest of my life, or being executed so much." But he also liked to show off and get attention which is typical for hacker types.

One interesting thing that Frontline pretty much stated was that the government is trying to "turn" Manning. That actually makes some sense and could explain his treatment. They want him to testify against Assange. Obviously Manning would be the star witness. Giving away government files isn't brave. It's traitorous. But protecting Assange if Assange is truly guilty is something else.