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PJ Crowley: Bradley Manning's treatment by US 'stupid'

rathi said:
The flaw of that line of thinking is that reasonable people are limited in number and influence. Politicians and electorate alike are swayed by sloppy journalism. Foreign policy is primarily about satisfying unreasonable people. The key is not to sacrifice anything important in the process. Giving Manning nice treatment doesn't cost anything which is what makes this an opportunity.
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How many countries are holding our treatment of Manning against us? Name a couple.
 
It strikes me that the treatment of Manning is severe, possibly disproportionate, and verging on the cruel and unusual. I am minded of the contrast between the treatment of Manning, accused of passing information to Wikileaks but with no evidence that his behaviour has caused any harm to US interests, and the case of Scooter Libby and Karl Rove deliberately revealing the identity of an active, undercover CIA operative in an act of political revenge and which caused the deaths of several US agents. Which of the two is the greater treason?
 
How do you think Manning should be treated? Put in with the general population and he wouldn't last a day, look at the vitriol on here, and think how it would manifest itself in a high-security prison, and that fact that he's a suicide risk only compounds it, given the situation, being shackled in solitary is probably the best outcome he could have.
 
spud_meister said:
How do you think Manning should be treated? Put in with the general population and he wouldn't last a day, look at the vitriol on here, and think how it would manifest itself in a high-security prison, and that fact that he's a suicide risk only compounds it, given the situation, being shackled in solitary is probably the best outcome he could have.
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I've no doubt gen pop would be out of the question. What's the deal with shackles? I thought they were appropriate only in the case of violent criminals. Many people in prisons and psychiatric hospitals are placed on suicide watch without being shackled or placed in padded cells.

What's more relevant than what I think about his treatment is that the White House believes that treatment is 'stupid'.
 
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rathi said:
Reality isn't what matters in this case. I have no idea if Manning is actually being mistreated. The point is to avoid the appearance of abuse to score PR points. This is an opportunity to take back some moral high-ground lost with gitmo and Abu Ghraib. There is minimal cost and zero risk is giving manning special red-carpet treatment and it will give us more credibility than actually solving problems of prisoner abuse.
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No. The point is to treat this particular traitor exactly according to existing law and regulation pertaining to the matter, and to have the gonads to tell any and every other nation that expresses concern or condemns the US to **** off.

This is American business, not theirs.

This traitor is lucky he's getting fed.

Also, his treatment ensures that he can't file any complaint that may result from any unwanted contact with other prisoners. After his trial sweet cheeks will be released to the general population of Leavenworth prison forever.

He can trade notes with Aldrith Ames and John Walker.

How many people do you figure have been killed because this traitor broke the law?
 
Andalublue said:
What's more relevant than what I think about his treatment is that the White House believes that treatment is 'stupid'.
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THIS president would be following a completely different course if Manning was a muslim.
 
VanceMack said:
What is it about his treatment that you find objectionable? As I understand it, their reasonong for stripping him at night is solely based on his repeated smart ass comments about hanging killing himself with his underwear.

Heres a simple reality. When you join the military there are certain things you can do and certain things you cant. He did one of those things you really a lot CANT do. No one is beating him or torturing him.
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Unfortunately...................
 
Andalublue said:
Fewer than those who died through Libby and Rove's treason. Remind me, are they in Leavenworth?
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How did Libby and Rove commit treason, again? I musta missed that one.
 
Andalublue said:
It strikes me that the treatment of Manning is severe, possibly disproportionate, and verging on the cruel and unusual. I am minded of the contrast between the treatment of Manning, accused of passing information to Wikileaks but with no evidence that his behaviour has caused any harm to US interests, and the case of Scooter Libby and Karl Rove deliberately revealing the identity of an active, undercover CIA operative in an act of political revenge and which caused the deaths of several US agents. Which of the two is the greater treason?
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You mean besides the fact that it was apparently the wikileaks revelation of hte excesses of the royal family of Tunisia that caused his overthrow that in turn ignited the entertaining show all across the middle east that has led to a 30% rise in gasoline prices in the US?

Not to mention the fact that that Plame broad was outed by an inconsequential junior-tier flack not directly connected with the VP and acting on his own lack of authority?
 
Andalublue said:
Fewer than those who died through Libby and Rove's treason. Remind me, are they in Leavenworth?
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Can you define the specific acts of treason, the laws violated, the indictments passed and the convictions obtained?

This Manning traitor hasn't been to trial yet, but there's little doubt an honest jury in an honest trial would convict him. Also see my above post that linked wikileaks to the murderous unrest in the middle east.
 
Mayor Snorkum said:
Can you define the specific acts of treason, the laws violated, the indictments passed and the convictions obtained?

This Manning traitor hasn't been to trial yet, but there's little doubt an honest jury in an honest trial would convict him. Also see my above post that linked wikileaks to the murderous unrest in the middle east.
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I bet Manning won't ever see the inside of a court room. He'll be offered a sweetheart plea deal and just go to solitary confinement; anything so that he doesn't testify. He didn't do this by himself. An Army private doesn't have access to that much high level information.
 
apdst said:
I bet Manning won't ever see the inside of a court room. He'll be offered a sweetheart plea deal and just go to solitary confinement; anything so that he doesn't testify. He didn't do this by himself. An Army private doesn't have access to that much high level information.
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While there is certainly truth in your words (consider that it wasn't the general running Abu Ghraib who went to prison, but her privates), it's also true that enlisted men in the right places have access to everything if they're not watched.

Manning wasn't watched.

Which isn't to say that heads at the State Department shouldn't roll, including the head of the State Department, or that heads at the top of the DoD shouldn't roll.

But you're right and they'll likely scapegoat this guy and it's possible to foresee that cute little Bradley might have an accident in the not too distant future.
 
As much as this man disgusts me, only a judge should determine the punishment and sentence of a criminal.
 
rathi said:
The problem is that Bradley isn't like every other prisoner in the brig. He has a big spotlight being trained on him and everyone is watching.
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Horse****. Until doods lawyer brought it up Manning wasnt even a topic for discussion over breakfast. The US is treating him precisely correctly...like any other prisoner accused of misnhandling classified material then making suicidal comments while in custody. He wasnt news yesterday. He isnt news today. And when he is tried and if convicted he wont be news tomorrow.
 
Kane said:
I was surprised how quick the WH and other pols in DC were quick to meddle in the affairs of another sovereign nation.

Since wikileaks we know that happens often. Democracy begins at home Mr. Prez., and you and your congress ain't been representing, yo!
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Redress said:
What in the hell are you talking about? Manning is a US citizen, charged with a crime in the US..
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Manning is just practicing Democracy, and doing Anderson Cooper's job for him since him and all the scum at Fox are Dick Cheney's errand boys! :drink
 
Kane said:
Manning is just practicing Democracy, and doing Anderson Cooper's job for him since him and all the scum at Fox are Dick Cheney's errand boys! :drink
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Jesus H. Christ Kane just what the hell are you talking about. When you are a UNITED STATES SOLDIER, you sign a contract with the UNITED STATES ARMY and the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. You take an OATH to defend this country. Whether you believe that Private Manning did something disgusting, or that he did something heroic, is irrelevant. He breached the trust of his employers. He broke the rules, and he's a criminal. He violated his contract. Now he is suffering the consequences of his actions. Hell, even Daniel Ellsburg realized that he might be executed for his actions, and he still followed his conscience and fought for a purpose far less ambiguous than what Manning and Wikileaks have done.
 
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Kane said:
Manning is just practicing Democracy, and doing Anderson Cooper's job for him since him and all the scum at Fox are Dick Cheney's errand boys! :drink
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No, not even remotely. Stealing classified documents off US computers while on the job is espionage and a crime.
 
He's right, it is stupid. Should be a quick trial, he's guilty, and hang him. End of story.
 
MrVicchio said:
He's right, it is stupid. Should be a quick trial, he's guilty, and hang him. End of story.
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Most of the cables were not top secret clearance, so you think you're being a bit fascist?
 
TV news really debases Americans.
 
Kane said:
Most of the cables were not top secret clearance, so you think you're being a bit fascist?
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None of the cables whre cleared for public release, which makes his actions a crime. They ranged in classification from general to top secret, with iirc most being labeled secret. Releasing secret documents is a federal and military crime.
 
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