An American Whistleblower Takes A Stand For Bradley Manning

[tpsbmam]

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Jill Simpson, an Alabama attorney who blew the whistle on a Republican plot to prosecute former Democratic Governor Don Siegelman, says the government's treatment of Manning is a threat to our democracy. Simpson is particularly alarmed by yesterday's news that the U.S. Army has added 22 charges against Manning, including "aiding the enemy."

This news, Simpson says, has profound implications for anyone who might reveal governmental wrongdoing:

The U.S. military has charged Bradley Manning with aiding the enemy, which is a crime you can get the death penalty for--all because he released videos and cables that showed our government had lied to us, the American citizens.

This young man clearly suffers from a war-related mental health condition called moral injury, and he should never be tried. He was asked by our government to do something against his morals, which was to lie to the American people and participate in murder of civilians. Our troops daily are put into situations where they have to choose between morals or murder. Bradley Manning chose to possibly get the death penalty in order to see the truth is told. He is an American hero, make no mistake about it.

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The U.S. is heading down a dangerous path with its handling of the Bradley Manning case, Simpson says:

The situation we are facing in this country of trying him and Assange for letting the public know about the murder of civilians is something all of us should be aware of. It will infringe upon our right to know the truth as citizens of the United States of America. After all, when a country loses its moral anchor, we are set adrift.

Much more at link: Legal Schnauzer.

[Mnemosyne]

1. K&R for more visibility. n/t

[bluesmail]

2. Yes. K&R

[Gregorian]

3. This is great. Bravo, Jill Simpson

One wonders why there aren't more people who speak up when there is injustice. I think it's an injustice.

[tpsbmam]

5. It seems like it's more and more personally costly to speak out. That's when the courage

of those who will still speak out is that much more awe-inspiring. Maybe I'm wrong, but it just strikes me that whistleblowers under the last admninistration and continuing with this one really risk everything by coming forward. Lots of people have vocally and through action supported Manning but it's the usual individuals and progressive groups. Even some of the Dems who I thought might speak out on his behalf have been silent -- Kucinich is the only one I can recall insisting he be able to see Manning -- as far as I know, he still hasn't been able to see him. Again, I could have missed it if he did. Mostly what I hear is Republicans calling for his death.

The actions of the current WH occupant are despicable, IMO. Manning is being tortured, I have no doubt about it. And nothing out of the administration. I'm sure someone will jump in and tell me if I'm wrong. He's still being tortured based on everything I've heard, and that tells me that the administration is a-okay with it. And that is despicable. And the fact that the candidate voiced thanks and approval for whistleblowers has now morphed into a President who persecutes and condones what many see as torture of a whistleblower makes me retch. I voted for that guy. I voted for someone who would do that. I know I voted for a candidate who was drastically different from the man he portrayed himself to be, but I still campaigned, contributed and voted for him. That REALLY makes me retch.

[DearAbby]

4. K&R

[sabrina 1]

6. Good for her, he IS a hero!

The treatment he is getting is a disgrace and a crime.

I believe also that this woman was a Republican, wasn't she? Maybe I am confusing her with someone else, but regardless, she is clearly a woman of principle, the kind of people this country needs as we have far too few of them which is why we are in the mess we are in.

[NavyDem]

7. I've read the charge sheet

And I would have to believe that the government thinks they can prove a good amount of the charges. Manning, while probably in his mind tried to blow the whistle on war crimes, his allegedly leaked non-war crime classified information will hang him (figuratively) in the long run.

Each specification has dates, and numbers of documents that he is purported to have possessed. His only hope is to escape through punitive pre-trial punishment (if that can be proven).

I know many will (and have) argue(d) that Manning is no different than Ellsburg (sp?), but Ellsburg was apparently much more discriminate as to the information he released.

[Dystopian]

8. KandR

peace~