Punishing Bradley Manning for the Crimes of Others

[davidswanson]

Bradley Manning, alleged U.S. Army whistleblower, is in two ways -- one likely, the other certain -- being punished for the crimes of others.

On Monday a crowd that I was part of staged a protest at Quantico, where Manning has been imprisoned for several months with no trial. At the last minute, the military denied us permission to hold a rally on the base, so we held it in the street blocking the entrance to the base. This visibly enraged at least one of the guards who attempted unsuccessfully to arrest a couple of us.

On Tuesday, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning's jailers put him on suicide watch. This meant that he was isolated for 24 hours a day instead of 23, the glasses he needs to see were taken away, and other harsh conditions imposed. Two days later, for no stated reason whatsoever, Manning was taken off suicide watch again. It appears likely that he was punished in response to our protest. As a result, we're all going to crawl under our beds and hide, promising never to use the First Amendment again in our lives.

Just kidding! Instead, we're planning larger protests. And Manning's lawyer has, for his part, filed a complaint and threatened to sue over Manning's mistreatment. These colors don't run, as someone might say.

Perhaps it was a coincidence that the Marine Corpse (sic) momentarily believed Manning to be suicidal the day after a protest. And yet we know for certain that Manning is being punished for the crimes of others. When you witness a crime, you are obliged to report it. This is exactly what Manning has allegedly done, for a great many crimes. And it is all Manning has allegedly done.

Material released by Wikileaks and alleged to have originated with Manning has revealed, among many other crimes, secret and illegal wars and missile strikes, support for a military coup, obstruction of justice, numerous war atrocities, complicity in torture, illegal spying, lawless imprisonment (now experienced by Manning himself as well), the granting of retroactive immunity to criminals, and bribery.

When the U.S. government screams that this information has endangered the innocent and then admits that it hasn't done any such thing and is really no big deal at all, don't be fooled. It is, in another sense, a very big deal. The reason the government says that informing the public is far more dangerous than informing foreign nations is the same reason that Manning allegedly chose to give the information to the public rather than enriching himself by selling it to another nation: majority rule is threatening to oligarchs. The reason Congressman Peter King says he'd rather see the United States bombed than U.S. citizens learn this information about their government's behavior is because the behavior is serious indeed, deadly so.

Bradley Manning has, if the allegations are true, risked his life to shine a light on a government that has come to operate in almost complete secrecy. Manning has shown the courage and wisdom of some of the revolutionaries who got this country started. That he is being punished for it tells us something about what our government has become.

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. "Stop Asking Questions!" - Quantico guard to demonstrators on Monday.

Caught on camera. I'll see if I can find a link.

That's a great book title.... or perhaps a 2012 reelection theme?

K and R

[davidswanson]

2. it's the first link

in the article above

[molly77]

9. That would be a great book title.

[kas125]

3. Thanks for posting this, David. There are many of us who

support what you, CodePink, VFP, and the rest do and we appreciate you sharing this video.

[gejohnston]

4. If I remember right,

Does he have military defense lawyers or did he hire civilians? I used to have more faith in the military system than the civilian system. Under the UCMJ, he can not be with general population because he is in pre trial. Convicted must be separated from pretrial confined. However, If I remember right, pretrial confinement should only apply to someone who is accused of a major crimes like murder or armed robbery. So why hasn't his lawyers filed an article 138? I have never heard of it take this long to schedule a court martial. If the court of military appeals let this nonsense stand, I will be beyond shocked and appalled.

[sabrina 1]

6. Interesting points. I am not familiar with how the military legal

system works. I did not know you could hire a civilian lawyer, eg. As far as how much time it is taking, again, what would be the normal amount of time?

Since the Military Commissions Act I have no faith in military trials. Especially since even under Bush many military prosecutors resigned from prosecuting detainees because in so many cases the evidence was so tainted they could not in conscience proceed.

I sincerely doubt he will get a fair trial. In fact, why is he the one in jail and not the war criminals whose crimes he exposed?

[hack89]

8. He can hire his own lawyer

not that it will make much difference in end.

[molly77]

10. The Guardian

had an article about Bradley Manning's solitary confinement recently. An online comment said he probably would not make it in the general population because the Arryan nation groups control the prisons. Bradley is supposedly gay. May have a point.Also it was mentioned repeatedly that the US prisons are horrible.

[hack89]

11. He is in a US military prison

they are run much differently than other prisons with very strict military disciple. There is very little violence. They also serve a different clientele that is much different from your average prison - everyone there at one time had to meet all the requirements to join the military which weeds out your average gang banger and habitual violent criminal.

[Overseas]

5. K&R ! //nt

[Solly Mack]

7. k/r