Michael Stipe, Viggo Mortensen, Shepard Fairey + others demand Obama investigate torture of Manning

[nashville_brook]

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/03/18/michael-stipe-viggo-mortensen-daniel-ellsberg-and-others-demand-obama-investigate-degrading-treatment-of-bradley-manning/

Michael Stipe, Viggo Mortensen, Daniel Ellsberg and Others Demand Obama Investigate Degrading Treatment of Bradley Manning


By: Jane Hamsher Friday March 18, 2011 1:35 pm


Today I joined with Michael Stipe, Viggo Mortensen, Daniel Ellsberg, Rosanne Cash, Tom Morello, Jesselyn Radack, Shepard Fairey and others to demand that President Obama and Secretary of Defense Gates investigate the degrading treatment that Bradley Manning is being subjected to at the Quantico brig:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500March 18, 2011
Dear President Obama:

We are writing today to ask for immediate action to address the inhumane and unjustified treatment of PFC Bradley Manning at Quantico Marine Base. Despite the recommendations of three forensic military psychiatrists, the Brig Commander at Quantico refuses to lift the POI (Prevention of Injury) status and change his confinement classification from MAX to Medium Custody In (MDI). As a result, PFC Manning has been kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day for the past eight months.

On the evening of March 2, 2011 PFC Manning was stripped of all his clothing by the Quantico Brig and left naked in his cell for the next seven hours. His clothes were returned to him the following morning only after he stood to attention in front of the rest of the clothed inmates, still naked. The same thing occurred the following night and morning.

There can be no conceivable justification for this type of degrading treatment. It brings back memories of the abuses committed in Abu-Ghraib, which blackened the reputation of America’s armed forces.

Pfc. Manning is already being monitored at all times, both by direct observation and by video. No other detainee at the Brig is forced to endure this type of isolation and humiliation.

We, the undersigned, demand an immediate investigation into the conditions of Pfc. Manning’s detention and urge you to order a stop to the cruel treatment of an American soldier entitled to the same human rights and constitutional protections afforded to all citizens. Every human being deserves to be treated with respect. Every human being deserves due process. Pfc. Manning is receiving neither.

Sincerely,

Rosanne Cash
Daniel Ellsberg
Shepard Fairey
Danny Glover
Jane Hamsher
Tom Morello
Viggo Mortensen
Michael Rattner, Center for Constitutional Rights
Michael Stipe
Vince Warren, Center for Constitutional Rights
Angela Wright, Amnesty International

cc: The Honorable Robert M. Gates - Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[hlthe2b]

2. We either stand for our consitutional right of "innocent until proven...

guilty" and our adherence to humane treatment of prisoners--or we allow our country to stand for little.

I would love to see a one on one polite, civil, but very direct discussion between our President and former Constitutional Law Professor, Barack Obama and Constitutional Law Expert/Progressive Blogger/Activist Glenn Greenwald. An hour between the two on this and many other related issues would be extremely important and revealing. :shrug:

[nashville_brook]

5. i'd love to see a debate btwn Barack Obama the candidate and Barack Obama POTUS

Greenwald would be good too -- :) -- maybe he could moderate?

[chill_wind]

88. +1000

[lsewpershad]

144. +1 more

[Go2Peace]

68. Yes. We are so worried about our "values" being represented internationally

but we have almost *no* concern about American values at home...

Massive Bank Fraud

Torture

Citizen Rights

Privacy

Surveilance State

Less than Open Government

Mass use of propaganda on our own citizens

Little concern about serious issues our Democratic system: Corruption, Money Power, benefits division to elite levels of politicians, "revolving door", games being played with the integrity of the vote, etc

[myrna minx]

3. K&R n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Oh lookey! They found one negro to sign on. I wish these elites could

take a look at what happens to people who look like me, everyday, in prisons and jails nationwide. Nothing I've heard about Manning's confinement sounds any different. The one glaring difference, however, is the color of his skin, and of course his connections with high profile people like Julian Assange.

I'll say this for Manning, he's got friends in high places. Would that every criminal or "alleged" criminal would receive this level of advocacy.

[nashville_brook]

6. how about the fact he's not been charged -- oh, and nice race baiting !

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. Just putting out the other side of this equation. And you'll note that I said

prisons & "jails". Lots of folks in "jail" haven't been "charged" either. And yes, I am sick to death of the white elites on the left, jumping up & down because this single white guy has apparently broken the law. Tell them to take a drive over to the LA County Jail, and get back to me.

[nashville_brook]

11. everyone should shut up about Manning until...? when?

[roguevalley]

62. stats from Federal Bureau of Prisons just for informational purposes

Inmates By Race
White: 121,199 (57.8 %)
Black: 81,086 (38.7 %)
Native American: 3,750 (1.8 %)
Asian: 3,574 (1.7 %)

[druidity33]

135. No Latinos in jail? nt.

[rhett o rick]

19. you are out of line. The people in jail that havent been charged HAVENT BEEN THERE IN SOLITARY

FOR SIX MONTHS. I personally take offense in your using the race card in this case. Those of us on the left, which I guess excludes you?, would change the prison systems, yet you want to start a race fight with them. I dont know what your agenda is but it looks like you are trying to start a fight.

And if you arent on the left who are you?

[Tarheel_Dem]

21. Ah, because I have a different life experience than you, I'm not on "the left"?

You may be right. The left has many branches, and while we agree that Mr. Manning should not be "tortured", I'm just suspicious that his particular case has caught the attention of Hollywood's elite. Especially since I've read nothing that isn't happening right now in prisons and detention centers all across the country. But there's a stark difference between Manning and most detainees.

[DirkGently]

33. You can't think of any reason besides race that might make Manning's case high-profile?

Don't think there's a political angle or three? Do you propose that your own reaction isn't colored by politics?

C'mon.

[rhett o rick]

132. Wrong again. I concluded that you are not on the left from your statement:

"And yes, I am sick to death of the white elites on the left,..." Sounded like you were speaking from outside the left. But maybe I am wrong and you think that a lefty would use words like "white elites". Something doesnt add up.

[liberation]

149. "And yes, I am sick to death of the white elites on the left,..."

You know when the self proclaimed guardians of the Dem party are quacking, walking, and acting like the best of republicans... in justifying the nullification of the US constitution by an imperial presidency. One gets the feeling that we have gone way too far into the rabbit hole.

It is just not funny anymore.

[rhett o rick]

163. What the hell are you talking about? nm

[girl gone mad]

15. ignore = awesome.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

16. Ignore has its disadvantages.

For example, you can't alert what you don't see.

[tavalon]

92. And I don't want to hear just the choir

I don't agree with this person on this issue. If, in quite a few encounters, I find that not only do we disagree, but that this person has nothing of value for me to hear, then and only then, would I place the poster on ignore. I've been here well over five years and I have 5 posters on ignore and each of them worked very hard to get there!

[frylock]

31. word

[PBS Poll-435]

52. Pretty damn sure that he has been charged. 20+ charges

(Including a capital offense!)

[tavalon]

94. Link please

Pretty sure doesn't work here.

[IamK]

98. charges that may being the death penalty....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/02/ap/politics/main20038512.shtml

An Army private suspected of leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive and classified documents to the WikiLeaks anti-secrecy group was charged with aiding the enemy, a crime that can bring the death penalty or life in prison.



Manning was charged in July with mishandling and leaking classified data and putting national security at risk in connection with the release of a military video of an attack on unarmed men in Iraq.

[tavalon]

110. Thank you

[liberation]

150. And pretty damn sure that he was held for months before those charges were brought

But hey, the constitution is just a piece of paper, and those items in the bill of rights are quaint anyways in today's world of "terrah"

[Cid_B]

168. And by "pretty sure" you mean...

... that its easier to assume...

From the HuffPo article...

"The government alleged nothing regarding 'aiding the enemy' when they originally charged Manning in July of 2010."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/bradley-manning-charges_n_830534.html

Manning can rot as far as I am concerned but damn his "advocates" just shoot themselves in the foot all day every day 24/7.

[IamK]

99. he has been charged, see post above

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cid_B]

166. That's just uninformed (at best)...

Seriously.. watch.. I'm going to time myself...

7 seconds from the time I changed tabs.. googled "manning charged"... browsed and copied a link or two..

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/03/bradley-manning-more-charge/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/bradley-manning-charges_n_830534.html

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Rex]

12. You have to be joking.

There is no excuse to torture Manning, with no trial or conviction. You forget that he has not been tried for anything...yet sits in prison to be tortured into suicide. Now, most prisoners have at least had their 'day in court'. Manning has not had that constitutional requirement and still sits a rots away...guilty until proven innocent is the American way now. The last thing we need is an adversarial system of justice that fucks over those with no voice. Manning is getting all this 'press time', because the MIC is sending out a message to all of us working class types.

We can torture at anytime and release information about the torture, with no repercussions. And they hope he commits suicide. Amazing...what monsters we have become. Charge him, but don't pretend he is guilty yet. Innocent until proven guilty...it use to mean something.

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. "yet sits in prison to be tortured into suicide"

Being stripped of clothing is torture now? And it's my understanding that he's been segregated & placed in protective custody because of his suicidal state of mind. You and I both know, the left-o-sphere, especially Jane HampSter's rag would explode if this guy were actually successful at topping himself. And let's not pretend that what he's accused of is a misdemeanor. He's facing life in prison for acts against the State.

"most prisoners have at least had their 'day in court'". I'd venture to say that "most prisoners" aren't military, and didn't have access to classified information. But, that's just a guess. ;-)

[Rex]

34. Believe it or not, you still are supposed to get a trial in the military.

Look up the article in the UCMJ if you don't believe me.

[roguevalley]

63. does it occur to you that our government might be lying? you have

a real problem with the left. this is democraticunderground and even though there are many bands across the leftie spectrum you don't sound like one of them. and the last thing I would do is believe the statements of our government that still tortures people, lies and is full of shit.

[rhett o rick]

134. So they will keep him safe from suicide but not insanity.

If he goes insane, it will make there jobs so much easier. Kinda like Jose Padilla.

He deserves a fair and speedy trial. He may be in the military but he is still an American citizen.

[rhett o rick]

13. Understand your bitterness. However, there is a big difference between Mannings treatment

and the treatment of people in US prisons. At this point, Bradley Manning is innocent.

[Tarheel_Dem]

18. So there have never been incidents (until Manning) where arrestee(s) have

been brutalized in police custody, prior to conviction? Is that what you'd like me to believe?

[rhett o rick]

20. I have always supported efforts to end police brutality. And I would stand behind

Manning the same regardless of his skin color. Your attempt to make this a race issue is disgusting.

[hlthe2b]

22. I have both seen and attempted to assist in multiple protests

against unlawful police abuse that has often been racially motivated. Some of those protesting have included celebrities. All have included progressive demonstrators across the racial spectrum. To suggest we should not respond to a person who has not been convicted of anything-- yet has faced severe and questionably inhumane treatment without recourse--because that person is not of a historically abused racial or ethnic group... THAT is the point you want to make? Really?

[Tarheel_Dem]

24. I applaud your activism. But the fact remains that this is one guy,

who "reportedly" has been mistreated, and some have even claimed "torture" and nothing I've heard from credible sources suggests that he's being treated any different from the millions of prisoners and detainees across the country.

I don't listen to Greenwald & Hamsher, they have ads to sell. I listen to NPR, and what you hear there is just so totally different and cool headed from anything you hear from these red-meat clowns.

[hlthe2b]

25. While I still retain support for NPR ...

they have long invited neocons and far RWers of all stripes under the guise of "balance" to appease the RWers who are desperately trying to defund them now.

While I did not hear this particular piece on NPR re: Manning, it would not surprise me.

You are quite wrong to lump Greenwald with Hamsher/FDL when you express concern about commercial interests, IMO... But, regardless, how do you think blogs and even this message boards stays in business without some advertising. Seems bizarre to make that your point of contention. Greenwald had a self-sustaining legal blog evoking constitutional issues of importance long before he became a paid blogger of Salon.com. You don't seem too concerned about Heritage Foundation and others funding of so many of the spokespeople the RW manages to get on NPR?

[EFerrari]

36. Apparently you don't listen to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch,

Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Psychologists for Social Responsibility or the UN either.

Those "red meat clowns" are right on the money. Every reputable human rights organization has protested Manning's treatment and publicly. Maybe you should start listening to those "red meat clowns" and not National Republican Radio.

[Shining Jack]

57. +1000 n/t

[vaberella]

93. Hold on...have they seen him to properly protest.

Or are they going by hearsay. If a United States Congressman is finding it difficult to get access to Manning. How are these human rights organizations granted access? And further more, if they were granted access---why are they asking the President to investigate--since they would have been able to do their own investigation, since they had access to declare he is being tortured. Shit just doesn't make sense here.

[EFerrari]

138. It's not heresay if the Pentagon confirms it, is it,

as they have confirmed forced nudity, sleep disruption, isolation, sensory deprivation, constant interrogation.

The Pentagon doesn't deny any of these things. They just deny that they amount to torture.

[liberation]

152. Yeah, but you must ponder the real philosophical ramifications:

If a tree falls in the woods, and no one hears it? Does it really fall. And what about the fecal habits of bears in said woods?

Now, those my friend are the real question that our government and society at large must be pondering. We must, as always*, look forward not back. Because, well... it is common knowledge that the penal system in the US has never ever ever been concerned with actions, items, and deeds committed in the past sense.


* unless it embarrasses which ever administration being favored by the proponent of "the looking forward," in which case magnifying glasses and complete reviews of past actions are not only required but vital for the survival of our republic.

[nashville_brook]

43. NPR: Solitary Confinement A Form Of Torture For Army's Alleged WikiLeaks' Source

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/15/132084808/is-solitary-confinement-a-form-of-torture-for-armys-alleged-wikileaks-source

The furor surrounding WikiLeaks' release of confidential United States government documents has focused reams of attention on transparency advocate Julian Assange. Largely lost amid all of the hubbub has been Bradley Manning, the Army private who allegedly provided the documents to WikiLeaks.

[nashville_brook]

45. NPR: UN Looking Into Treatment Of Army Private Suspected Of Leaking Documents

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132266929/un-looking-into-treatment-of-army-private-suspected-of-leaking-documents

The United Nations is looking into a complaint alleging that the Army private being held in connection with the WikiLeaks case is being mistreated. The AP reports:

The UN office for torture issues in Geneva said Wednesday it received a complaint from one of Pfc. Bradley Manning's supporters alleging that conditions in a Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Virginia, amount to torture. Visitors say he spends at least 23 hours a day alone in a cell.

The Pentagon has denied mistreating Manning. A Marine Corps spokesman says the military is keeping Manning safe, secure and ready for trial.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

59. Glen Greenwald is concerned with selling ads?

Thanks. I now know everything about you I'll ever need to know, and irrevocably so.

[Vanje]

121. NPR has become an organ of the American Enterprise Institute.

Yes

[nashville_brook]

26. so, you believe that support for Bradley Manning is racist? please explain.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[roguevalley]

64. you assume that we don't care. this is the site were that kind of

things is LOATHED. you have a lot of strange assumptions.

[EFerrari]

35. What a horrible way to describe somone like Danny Glover

who just spent three days making sure Aristide got home safely.

[nashville_brook]

41. seriously!

[EFerrari]

44. I've never seen Danny Glover be on the wrong side of anything. n/t

[dana_b]

75. how true

and I guess s/he doesn't realize that Tom Morello's father is Kenyan.

[fascisthunter]

47. bleh

political followers miss the big picture

[MadBadger]

60. Wow, your post is disgusting

[slay]

73. talk to me after you bring down corrupt world governments with your information

no seriously - i understand what you are saying. prison is fucked up here and black people are wayyyy more likely to be incarcerated. but this is about brad manning - hero - who possibly faces the death penalty for exposing the truth.

I think both problems should be addressed personally.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JDPriestly]

89. Every prisoner should receive humane treatment.

I wonder how many DUers have visited someone who was in prison. Probably not many. In fact, I wonder whether Obama has ever visited anyone who was in prison or in a Juvenile incarceration. I bet not.

Manning deserves less abusive treatment. But you are correct, Tarheel_Dem, many, many Americans serving sentences in adult prisons and their counterparts for juveniles need to be treated with much more attention to human rights.

[Le Taz Hot]

101. This thread is about solidarity.

:thumbsdown: for making it about division. He's been in solitary confinement for months now. Does this not concern you at all? Divided we stand my brother/sister. Remember that.

[nashville_brook]

108. very well said!

[ZombieHorde]

127. I don't like the race baiting in your reply, but I do agree we desperately need to adress

our prison situation here in the US. Our prison system is extremely shameful.

[JackRiddler]

154. Actually, if you're going to be like that, I see at least two among the signatories.

But I don't think you care to figure that out.

Your point about the criminal "justice" and prison systems generally is well taken. I'm sure if you bother to look, you will find that most if not each and every one of the signatories has taken a stand against conditions in the prison system, the drug war that feeds this system, and the obvious, huge racial bias in the criminal justice system. If you bother to look, I know you will see several of them have made statements about other political prisoners who don't qualify as "white," like Mumia Abu Jamal and Leonard Peltier.

The way you choose to make your point is highly suspicious, and discrediting. Do you really want to play into divide-and-conquer?

Manning has been held for what, nine months in solitary without charges? Protest against this inhumanity and injustice comes from the same place that protests the conditions in the prison system (and in military prisons) generally.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

157. Over a day.

WHY? IS? THIS? CRAP? STILL? HERE?

[Rex]

9. It was just a matter of time, I am surprised it took this long.

Shit meet fan.

[demmiblue]

10. K&R

:kick:

[Teaser]

17. This is cool and all

I just wonder why these people have any clout.

[nashville_brook]

28. well, "clout" has a lot of diff meanings -- they have clout with *people*

they don't have Secretary of Defense-type clout. but, that's not really the point b/c it's a populist appeal.

[roguevalley]

65. because they are willing to state and stand by their convictions

even if it might cost them something. unlike most people.

[Teaser]

70. but it won't cost them anything

they're superstars. They are invulnerable, more or less.

And secondly, no one will listen to them, because, again, they are stars. People don't listen to stars. They watch them on TV or in the movies, and then turn them off.

Again, I'm glad they're taking a stand on this. I just wonder if anyone will care but us.

[Le Taz Hot]

102. The media has given them clout.

Sometimes it works FOR the good guys.

[Starry Messenger]

23. k&r

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nashville_brook]

46. Michael Stipe despite the hype never wanted to...

nevermind

[treestar]

29. Hard to believe these people are that stupid

Maybe they should look at things before they spout off in public.

[nashville_brook]

32. care to 'splain?

[neverforget]

39. under the bus they go

[EFerrari]

37. Yes, it's impossible to believe all those people are stupid. n/t

[Rex]

38. No no, they must be stupid because they don't have my world view.

:sarcasm:

[nashville_brook]

40. apparently.

:evilgrin:

[DirkGently]

42. More blasphemers to add to the pyre, apparently.

[niyad]

49. that goes for a lot of people, doesn't it?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

55. Wanting people to "look at things" is what landed Manning in Quantico.

Things that embarrassed our "transparent" government.

[roguevalley]

66. what are you talking about. Or maybe you can just point me to the

relevant Hannity post.

[chill_wind]

86. Yeah. All those stupid Constitutional lawyer types should STFU, too.

Instead of spoutin off in public and all.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=684268&mesg_id=687026

[tomp]

104. perhaps you should say something when you speak. nt

[wildbilln864]

30. k&r!

[slipslidingaway]

48. knr - Bradley Manning, Barack Obama and the National Surveillance State

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2011/03/bradley-manning-barack-obama-and.html

"...It's worth noting that if Private Manning were a prisoner of war, his treatment at the hands of the Obama Administration would violate the Geneva Conventions; indeed, if he were an non-uniformed enemy combatant, his treatment would probably violate Common Article III. Apparently, President Obama has gone Attorney General Alberto Gonzales one better. Not only must he believe that the protections of the Geneva Conventions are quaint, he must also think the same of the Bill of Rights, at least as applied to leakers--or at least, leakers whom the President and his associates did not authorize.

P.J. Crowley was fired for pointing out the obvious, that the treatment of Manning was counterproductive. He forgot to add, illegal and unconstitutional as well. By telling us the obvious, Crowley forced Obama to acknowledge the fact of the Defense Department's actions in public, and to report calmly to the press that that the DOD had informed him that everything is perfectly acceptable.

Of course, since the DOD is mistreating Manning, what exactly did he expect that they would tell him? This is a bit like President Bush asking John Yoo whether the United States is committing torture. Of course John Yoo is not going to tell you that you are committing torture; the very reason he is there is to tell you that everything is perfectly fine.

What the Manning episode demonstrates, however, is that Obama has little interest in spending political capital in reining in many of the excesses of the National Surveillance State. Quite the contrary: he, like future Presidents, will sincerely believe that he needs every ounce of discretion he can get to protect the nation's security. Therefore, if the DOD informs him that we need to make an example of Bradley Manning so there will be no future leaks of sensitive information by disgruntled government employees, then this is a good and proper thing to do. Legal and constitutional scruples against harsh treatment of Manning are, to quote Attorney General Gonzales, "quaint;" entirely inappropriate in the dangerous times in which we live.

In July 2009, I explained that we were witnessing the bipartisan normalization and legitimation of the National Surveillance State, in which the President's power to detain, surveil, and punish at his discretion would be greatly expanded. In the treatment of Bradley Manning, we can see a glimmer of what this will mean in practice. Unless there is a public outcry, we have no guarantee that this exceptional incident will prove truly exceptional. After all, if a liberal Democratic President is willing to look the other way in this case, what can we expect of future presidents of either party?"

[DirkGently]

50. Nice piece.

[slipslidingaway]

61. Thanks :) n/t

[ProSense]

56. Yes, interesting piece

<...>

Of course, since the DOD is mistreating Manning, what exactly did he expect that they would tell him? This is a bit like President Bush asking John Yoo whether the United States is committing torture. Of course John Yoo is not going to tell you that you are committing torture; the very reason he is there is to tell you that everything is perfectly fine.

<...>

Where is Congress? Wouldn't an objective inquiry require an independent investigator?

That said, this is from another Balkinization piece: A Statement on Private Manning's Detention (with 202 signatories)

<...>

UPDATE:Our initial draft relied on news reports in the major news outlets. Comments we received since then lead us to think that two facts may be overstated in the original draft:
1. The instance of forced nudity overnight and in morning parade apparently occurred once. The continuing regime apparently commands removal of Pvt. Manning's clothes and his wearing a "smock" at night.
2. The shackling apparently occurs when Private Manning is moved from his cell to the exercise room, but not while walking during the one hour of exercise.

Other responses we have received suggest that there are claims of myriad other abuses that make conditions worse in various ways than we describe. We do not, and cannot, seek to adjudicate these factual claims. The conflicting responses underscore the need for a public, transparent, and credible response to the reported abuse, and cessation of those among them that cannot be justified.

<...>

If Manning is guilty of a crime, let him be tried, convicted, and punished according to law. But his treatment must be consistent with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There is no excuse for his degrading and inhumane pre-trial punishment. As the State Department’s PJ Crowly put it recently, they are “counterproductive and stupid.” And yet Crowley has now been forced to resign for speaking the plain truth.

The Wikileaks disclosures have touched every corner of the world. Now the whole world watches America and observes what it does; not what it says.

President Obama was once a professor of constitutional law, and entered the national stage as an eloquent moral leader. The question now, however, is whether his conduct as Commander in Chief meets fundamental standards of decency. He should not merely assert that Manning’s confinement is “appropriate and meet(s) our basic standards,” as he did recently. He should require the Pentagon publicly to document the grounds for its extraordinary actions --and immediately end those which cannot withstand the light of day.
Signed:

<...>

That's what most people are basing their opinions on: news reports.

Human Rights Watch

<...>

Since his arrival at Quantico in July 2010, Manning has been in maximum security custody and under "Prevention of Injury" (POI) status, a category of classification for detainees who pose a risk of self-harm. Manning and his lawyer have challenged the decision to keep him in maximum security confinement and on POI status as improper and irregular, particularly in light of the consistent recommendations by military mental health professionals that he be removed from POI. Manning also alleges that he is being kept in what amounts to solitary confinement and is not permitted to exercise in his cell.

Beginning on March 2, 2011, the suicide watch procedures were increased and Manning was prevented from wearing clothing during the night. The following morning, Manning alleges that he was forced to stand at the entrance of his cell naked, with his hands at his sides, for several minutes prior to being given back his underwear and other clothing. He was subsequently provided with a suicide "smock," which is difficult to tear, but no underwear to wear at night, a common practice for prisoners on suicide watch. During the day he may wear his regular clothing. Prison authorities have responsibility to protect the lives and well-being of detainees, including by adopting appropriate measures to prevent suicide or self-harm.

According to regulations governing operation of the brig issued by the secretary of the Navy, when a prisoner has been assessed to no longer pose a suicide risk by a medical officer they should be returned to appropriate quarters. According to a complaint filed by Manning, on 16 occasions military mental health professionals recommended that he be removed from POI status. While Manning's complaint was made public by his lawyer, the brig commander has not released the brig's formal response to his allegations. If Manning agrees to the release of medical or mental health information that would otherwise be confidential to protect his privacy, the government should immediately make public its rationale for his continued POI status.

Manning's case has drawn considerable attention because of his alleged connection to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, which published the classified material Manning is alleged to have procured. The new charges filed against Manning, for which the death penalty is possible, include aiding the enemy, even though Manning allegedly provided documents to WikiLeaks, not an agent of a government or armed group at war with the US. The removal of Manning's underwear during the evenings began the same day the additional charges were filed.

The allegations need to be confirmed. They haven't been. Right now, there are the allegations by Manning and his lawyers and public statements by the Pentagon spokesman. An official statement needs to be made, and HRW and others should stay on top of this.

I understand Jack Balkin's point about why this is imperative:

<...>

In July 2009, I explained that we were witnessing the bipartisan normalization and legitimation of the National Surveillance State, in which the President's power to detain, surveil, and punish at his discretion would be greatly expanded. In the treatment of Bradley Manning, we can see a glimmer of what this will mean in practice. Unless there is a public outcry, we have no guarantee that this exceptional incident will prove truly exceptional. After all, if a liberal Democratic President is willing to look the other way in this case, what can we expect of future presidents of either party?"

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chill_wind]

85. Yeah, what the f*#k would Jack Balkin know. n/t

[Casandia]

103. That last sentence..

says it all. "..if a liberal Democratic President is willing to look the other way in this case, what can we expect of future presidents of either party?"

[tavalon]

95. Could you, would you?

Make this an OP of it's own. Fabulous!

[chill_wind]

141. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x593554

Posted a couple days ago. Received one comment. Maybe a repost would get some traction.

[tavalon]

155. It's so weird how that happens sometimes.

[slipslidingaway]

161. Sorry I missed it ...

:hi:

[slipslidingaway]

160. Thanks tavalon ...

maybe there will be another opportunity, for now there is too much focused on the latest campaign, hope it is short.

:(

[abelenkpe]

109. This is what gets me

"...at least, leakers whom the President and his associates did not authorize"

The whole thing is despicable.

[slipslidingaway]

162. Yes it is!

[underpants]

51. If Stipe is in I am in

[Warren DeMontague]

156. THEY AIRBRUSHED MY FACE

Classic shot.


I agree, too. :thumbsup:

[underpants]

170. From Eponymous right?

Yes that is funny.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

53. Does any President respond to "Demands?"

has anyone tried just to talk to the President about this?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

54. But..but..Manning is a really dangerous guy..he embarressed some bigshots!!!

If he's allowed to wear clothes he might do it again!!

[tavalon]

96. I just realized the irony in what they are doing

Bradley Manning exposed the emperor as having no clothes so they took his clothes. Painfully ironic.

[nashville_brook]

107. dang, that IS ironic.

[tavalon]

112. Of course, those who desperately need to see this irony and be shamed by it

won't and will not.

[tavalon]

97. I just realized the irony in what they are doing

Bradley Manning exposed the emperor as having no clothes so they took his clothes. Painfully ironic.

[sudopod]

58. You have my sword. nt

[roguevalley]

67. truly, sudopod. And you have my bow. :)

[sudopod]

77. And my axe!

[roguevalley]

146. BWAHAHAHAAHA! I love gimli.

[ReggieVeggie]

69. kick

[slay]

71. It SUCKS that it's come to this but good for them!

if that's what it takes to get Obama's attention cause he sure as shit doesn't seem to care that it bothers liberals or Dennis Kucninch. Wow how low we have fallen when we have to BEG a Democratic president to make sure one of our own isn't being tortured. I think the thread with 170 current recs about how we've all been had is onto something --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x682266

[PufPuf23]

76. What is the treatment of Manning?

How likely is the treatment to compromise one's mental and emotional break(s).

How is Manning any different than Ellsberg who is a liberal hero in written history?.

Manning was a 21 year PFC; if leaks were so readily available in quantity and importance, why the hell did Manning have access? His superiors are more negligent.

The leaks seem to be mostly embarassing in that they show the banality, failure to be honest brokers, failure to promote peaceful interets of the People, and breaking of moral and international law by habit.

[grahamhgreen]

78. Kick. Looking forward to the song.

[DeSwiss]

80. K&R n/t

[suffragette]

81. K&R

[chill_wind]

82. K & R. And let's add the statement signed by 200+ legal academics

spear-headed by Jack Balkin.

Marty Lederman (served, but no longer at Obama's OLC) came from that rather strong cohort of legal minds, so this is not a lightly made statement, either:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Statement on Private Manning's Detention

Bruce Ackerman

(snip)

202 signatories as of March 18, 7:30am.

Private Manning’s Humiliation

Bradley Manning is the soldier charged with leaking U.S. government documents to Wikileaks.

He is currently detained under degrading and inhumane conditions that are illegal and immoral.

For nine months, Manning has been confined to his cell for 23 hours a day. During his one remaining hour, he can walk in circles in another room, with no other prisoners present. He is not allowed to doze off or relax during the day, but must answer the question “Are you OK?” verbally and in the affirmative every five minutes. At night, he is awakened to be asked again, “are you OK” every time he turns his back to the cell door or covers his head with a blanket so that the guards cannot see his face. During the past week he was forced to sleep naked and stand naked for inspection in front of his cell, and for the indefinite future must remove his clothes and wear a "smock" under claims of risk to himself that he disputes.

The sum of the treatment that has been widely reported is a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, and the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee against punishment without trial. If continued, it may well amount to a violation of the criminal statute against torture, defined as, among other things, “the administration or application… of… procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality.”

Private Manning has been designated as an appropriate subject for both Maximum Security and Prevention of Injury (POI) detention. But he asserts that his administrative reports consistently describe him as a well-behaved prisoner who does not fit the requirements for Maximum Security detention. The Brig psychiatrist began recommending his removal from Prevention of Injury months ago. These claims have not been publicly contested. In an Orwellian twist, the spokesman for the brig commander refused to explain the forced nudity “because to discuss the details would be a violation of Manning’s privacy.”

The Administration has provided no evidence that Manning’s treatment reflects a concern for his own safety or that of other inmates. Unless and until it does so, there is only one reasonable inference: this pattern of degrading treatment aims either to deter future whistleblowers, or to force Manning to implicate Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in a conspiracy, or both.

If Manning is guilty of a crime, let him be tried, convicted, and punished according to law. But his treatment must be consistent with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There is no excuse for his degrading and inhumane pre-trial punishment. As the State Department’s PJ Crowly put it recently, they are “counterproductive and stupid.” And yet Crowley has now been forced to resign for speaking the plain truth.

The Wikileaks disclosures have touched every corner of the world. Now the whole world watches America and observes what it does; not what it says.

President Obama was once a professor of constitutional law, and entered the national stage as an eloquent moral leader. The question now, however, is whether his conduct as Commander in Chief meets fundamental standards of decency. He should not merely assert that Manning’s confinement is “appropriate and meet(s) our basic standards,” as he did recently. He should require the Pentagon publicly to document the grounds for its extraordinary actions --and immediately end those which cannot withstand the light of day.
Signed:

Bruce Ackerman, Yale Law School
Yochai Benkler, Harvard Law School

Additional Signatories (institutional affiliation, for identification purposes only):

Jack Balkin, Yale Law School
Richard L. Abel, UCLA Law, Emeritus
David Abrams, Harvard Law School
Kirsten Ainley, London School of Economics
Jeffrey Alexander, Yale University
Philip Alston, NYU School of Law
Anne Alstott, Harvard Law School
Elizabeth Anderson, Philosophy and Women's Studies, University of Michigan
Scott Anderson, Philosophy, University of British Columbia
Claudia Angelos, NYU School of Law
Donald K. Anton. Australian National University College of Law
Kwame Anthony Appiah, Princeton University
Stanley Aronowitz, Sociology, CUNY Graduate Center
Jean Maria Arrigo, PhD, social psychologist, Project on Ethics and Art in Testimony
Reuven Avi-Yonah, University of Michigan Law
H. Robert Baker, Georgia State University
Duncan Bell, Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge
Steve Berenson, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Michael Bertrand, UNC Chapel Hill
Rebecca M. Bratspies, CUNY School of Law
Jason Brennan, Philosophy, Brown University
Talbot Brewer, Philosophy, University of Virginia
John Bronsteen, Loyola University Chicago
Peter Brooks, Princeton University
James Robert Brown, University of Toronto
Sande L. Buhai,Loyola Law School, Los Angeles

(many more at the link)

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2011/03/statement-on-private-mannings-detention.html

[Hugabear]

84. King Aragorn has spoken. Long live King Aragorn!

[upi402]

87. k/r n/t

[tavalon]

90. May their words hold more sway than ours

[vaberella]

91. Let's clarify the title...the "alleged" torture of Manning. n/t

[OnyxCollie]

117. Thanks, John Yoo.

You see, the Eight Amendment says, Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Manning hasn't been tried, and he hasn't been sentenced, so he can't be punished. See? And as for mental suffering, it's not like he got an ice pick to the head. Although maybe later he could have an electric drill pressed against his head, you know, for shits & giggles.

This guy's naked. Doesn't seem like "torture."




You authoritarians will accept any bullshit excuse to keep your precious idol untarnished. Just like the Good Bushies.

[nashville_brook]

124. damn straight.

[Le Taz Hot]

100. Yessss!!!!!

[harmonicon]

106. rich people are adorable (nt)

[Autumn]

111. Damn Hollywood elitists

:rofl: Some of my favorite people on that list. K/R Glad to see they are still paying attention.

[Ramsey]

113. This is as bad as the treatment Padilla received under W and he went crazy.

[NillaWafers]

114. Viggo is an outstanding individual. n/t

[nashville_brook]

126. he is, and i love that he was married to Exene

[riderinthestorm]

115. They are joined by Amnesty Intl, Human Rights Watch and the ACLU

Pretty illustrious company - all calling out this Admin for it's treatment of Manning.

[DirkGently]

119. It's getting pretty crowded out here on the "extreme fringes of the 'professional left' " eh?

[Cleita]

116. My favorite heartthrob movie star is on that list.

How nice to know he is on the right side of compassion.

[guruoo]

118. Is this still happening? If not, then the problem's already been addressed, and it's

time to move on, IMO.

[nashville_brook]

123. what makes you think this has "been addressed"?

[guruoo]

129. I'm asking. 'is this still happening?' If no, then carry on. If yes then the

problem (i.e., the poor treatment of Manning)has been addressed.

[DirkGently]

130. I'm sure all ears are open, should the Pentagon wish to clarify. Also, what's with the capital

charges? Suddenly this is a death-penalty case? Really? After the Pentagon admitted no one was actually harmed by the leaks? We're not piling on to try to "break" this person?

[guruoo]

131. I'll make this easy....

Is Manning still being: "stripped of all his clothing by the Quantico Brig and left naked in his cell"

1. Yes
2. No
3. We don't know

[rhett o rick]

133. Who would we ask and believe? nm

[guruoo]

136. Understand that. But we're still suppose to trust the source of the original story, right?

Just wanted to make sure we're reading from the same script here.

[chill_wind]

140. No more than we should trust any equivalent of I checked with Rumsfeld and Yoo.

[chill_wind]

139. The sum total of the legality of his treatment being questioned consists of more than that.

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2011/03/statement-on-private-mannings-detention.html

I guess you'll get your answer when the legal community get theirs.

Do you have a problem with other groups of Americans and international watch groups asking questions, too?

[guruoo]

159. See the update @ your link

UPDATE:Our initial draft relied on news reports in the major news outlets. Comments we received since then lead us to think that two facts may be overstated in the original draft:
1. The instance of forced nudity overnight and in morning parade apparently occurred once. The continuing regime apparently commands removal of Pvt. Manning's clothes and his wearing a "smock" at night.
2. The shackling apparently occurs when Private Manning is moved from his cell to the exercise room, but not while walking during the one hour of exercise.

Other responses we have received suggest that there are claims of myriad other abuses that make conditions worse in various ways than we describe. We do not, and cannot, seek to adjudicate these factual claims. The conflicting responses underscore the need for a public, transparent, and credible response to the reported abuse, and cessation of those among them that cannot be justified.

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2011/03/statement-on-private-mannings-detention.html

[DirkGently]

142. That's far from the whole issue. Isolation. Trumped up capital charges.

[guruoo]

158. I'm mainly concerned with the most pressing issue: how he's being treated in jail.

As far as the legal goes, I understand that they are not pursuing capital punishment
with the 'aiding the enemy' related charges.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/03/ap-22-more-charges-for-army-wikilieaks-suspect-030211/

[liberation]

148. Nothing to see, move along, let's look forward not backwards, etc, etc, etc.

We've already seen thins movie and how it ends.


Yawn.

[guruoo]

164. If he's still being mistreated, then by all means, carry on. nt

[BlueIris]

120. It's sad it's come to this. I am ashamed that the president is validating the abuse of Manning.

The worst part is that the validation has come from his offensive, "They told me it's not torture so I don't have to care" non-response. Really pathetic and beneath the office.

[lonestarnot]

122. K & R!

[mod mom]

125. Good for them. The more people who bring focus to this the better!.

[XanaDUer]

128. Viggo, gorgeous and liberal!

:loveya:

[felix_numinous]

137. The incarceration of Manning speaks volumes

about what he represents, what he possibly knows--and the utter distain for justice and truth of the DOD.

How shameful they are to be reduced to holding political prisoners in order to psychologically intimidate the public, this is their clear purpose.

[nashville_brook]

143. indeed.

[DirkGently]

145. They're treating him like he was a 9/11 hijacker. And so many seem happy to pretend that's the case.

[Shining Jack]

147. The military don't like people knowing about their crimes.

Something that Manning "Wikileaked":

"The July 12, 2007 Baghdad airstrike an incident now known as Collateral Murder, was a series of three air-to-ground attacks conducted by a team of two United States Army AH-64 Apache helicopters in Al-Amin al-Thaniyah, in the district of New Baghdad in Baghdad, during the Iraq War.

In the first strike "Crazyhorse 1/8" directed 30mm calibre cannon fire at a group of ten men. According to the following US Army investigation report they were Iraqi insurgents; one had an AK 47 and another an RPG-7.<4>

Two of the dead turned out to be war correspondents for Reuters; Saeed Chmagh and Namir Noor-Eldeen, whose cameras were mistaken for weapons. Nine men were killed, including Noor-Eldeen. Chmagh was initially wounded by "Crazyhorse 1/9 ."

The second airstrike using 30 mm fire was directed at a man who pulled up in a van and attempted to help the wounded Chmagh. Two children inside the van were wounded, and three more men were killed, including Chmagh."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_12,_2007_Baghdad_airstrike



Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQsgkncxcc

[EFerrari]

153. Manning's real crime is daring to expose wrongdoing.

That's clear.

[KansDem]

151. I, for one, would like to know why he's being tortured.

I didn't think the US military did this kind of thing...:shrug:

[Cid_B]

165. Seven folks I'll be glad to avoid if possible...

Claiming that Manning is being tortured is insulting to those who really have been....

[ProgressIn2008]

167. Why on earth would they think he'd to that? How quaint. nt

[Imagevision]

169. Have they water-boarded Manning yet?