There are no dots..get real. Wake up.

oh noes, not again!!

Does anyone remember the sailor on the US Iowa about 15 or so years ago that was blamed for the explosion in one of the turrets?

The allegations were that he was gay, troubled, a ticking time bomb, suicidal, etc.---- then we learned that he had nothing to do with this awful accident (after -- if I recall, much protest from his family and friends).

The military looking for a scapegoat--- couldn't happen again, could it?

like michael moore noted on bill maher, if the US had a track record of being more honest with respect to foreign policy, ie. not having a history of overthrowing democratically elected governments in order to install dictators more amenable to american influence, then the release of classified info would be more outrageous.

release the private now!

I find it odd that a buck private in the military could have access to so many secret documents. It would seem that we may have a Dreyfuss situtation here.

And now they have him on a 24 hour suicide watch with NO VISITORS. Guantanamo justice on our soil. Free Manning!

Wouldn't it be nice if all nations were honest & not just w/ respect to foreign policy. Since the beginning of time militaries and gov't have had secrets and been tainted by corruption. At least our military isn't blatantly & continually killing innocent civilians here in the US and blaming it on Al Qaida or the Taliban (as they do w/ their civilians & then blame our military).

WOW, solitary confinement for 5 months; no outside contact, lawyer said being mis treated; and now no evidence, what the hell is going on, are we now a dictatorship !

mygirl,

I find it odd that a buck private in the military could have access to so many secret documents. It would seem that we may have a Dreyfuss situtation here.

Rank has nothing to do with it, it all depends on your security clearance which is based upon background checks and to what degree they're checking; my first assignment out of basic training was the data center responsible for our nuclear war plans at HQ SAC, as an E1. My clearance to actual see what was coming off the printers didn't arrive for another 8 months or so, however.

Maricopa: That's my point. Unless our military is so inept when it comes to downloading or even having access to secured or classified documents I don't understand how this private could get into and then carry out this information.

Who's minding the store, in other words.

MSNBC: U.S. Marine and Army officials say Manning is being treated like any other maximum security prisoner at Quantico, Va. He is confined to his single-person cell 23-hours per day, permitted one hour to exercise, permitted reading material and given one hour per day to watch television.

Jeez...Oh, well if they're mentally torturing all of them then that's alright.

Bradley Manning the 21st century reflection of Herman Melville's Billy Budd ...

"farewell Rights of Man"

Let him go, he does not know where Osama is anyway. Sorry my head is still spinning from reading the post above.

Read the article! He downloaded the files. They can't link him directly to Assange. But they do know he downloaded the files. That doesn't make him innocent.

Interesting.

@ IZANOIZ, Huh????? My head hurts after that post and the nonsense contained therein.

I'll be awaiting this traitors execution. Even if the do not execute this gay US Army Traitor I'm sure they can torture him by keeping him confined and stopping him from ever preforming any more Homosexual acts hahaha.

Keep the guy locked up until the investigation is complete. It is no supprise that that guys that can hack and infilterate our Military are good enough at it to not leave any trace of a "link". It doesn't mean they are innocent.

Whether or not there is a direct link from Manning to Assange is not really the point here. They have the computer logs and other evidence that shows that Manning downloaded the documents that have been released. Whether Manning gave them to Assange directly or hey got to Assange through a third (or fourth, or fifth, etc.) does not make a difference. Once Manning downloaded those documents and gave them, or made them available to people who did not have the clearance and need to know, hecommitted a crime. The fact that they can not make a direct link to Assange does not make Manning innocent by any stretch of the imagination.

As far as the conditions under which Manning is being held, they are no different than any other prisoner, either civilian or military, that gets put in solitary confinement. Granted, Manning has been in solitary longer than most prisoners wold be, but this is being done as much to protect Manning as anything else. To put Manning in general population in the brig would almost certainly result in Manning suffering beatings and possibly even killed. Military types, even the ones who get in trouble and wind up in the brig, do not take too kindly to treasonous trash like Manning. The only effective way to protect Manning from being beaten to a pulp is to keep him away from the other prisoners. Also, even if he were in general population, it is highly doubtful that any of the other inmates would talk to him. He would just be alone in a crowded room instead of in an empty one by himself.

Manning deserves to send the rest of his life in prison (if he isn't executed) for what he has done. He may be able to come up with a rationalization for the release of the footage from the helicopter camera, but there is no justification for the release of all the diplomatic cables. Manning's entire argument that he did this to right wrongs he saw does not hold water. First off, there have been no wrongs exposed from the release of the diplomatic cables. Second, he would never have seen those cables as part of his normal duties. The cables do not strike me as the type of thing that someone would just stumble across, but rather something they had to look for specifically. This makes me wonder if he was not fulfilling some request from an outside party in downloading the diplomatic cables. In any case, Manning committed treason by releasing classified material to people who should never have had access and certainly allowing them to get into the hands of enemies of the US. I hope that they can nail Assange on espionage charges as well. Assange did not do this for any higher moral purpose, he did it to get his name in the paper and boost his own ego. The only things that Assange cares about are self aggrandizement and money.

JD,

Thank you for making it crystal clear as why this guy is in prison and I can't believe these fools posting to let him go. He broke the law period.

Once again, the brainwashed masses are very content with being blissfully ignorant while living within the safety of empire. Bradley Manning and Julian Assange are providing you with information about the dirty dealings that are kept secret from people across the globe by their governments. These governments take military actions and kill innocent people continually, torture prisoners without formal charges being filed, and steal natural resources from right under the feet of so many sovereign nations. Yet, you want Assange and Bradley charged with treason?

For those of you who are on the side of plutocracy, oppression, and murder, take the following into consideration:

When Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy joined forces in WWII in an attempt to conquer the planet, it was considered by so much of the "civilized" societies of the so-called first world to be the darkest time in history. However, ask the indigenous peoples across this globe that had been colonized for hundreds of years by imperial nations (United Stated, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, etc.,) what period of time do they consider to be the darkest? I feel very confident that they will say "When our country was invaded and our people were killed or put into slave labor. Our natural resources were stolen to profit other countries. Our entire culture and way of life was wiped away as though it never existed."

You see, when Nazi Germany rose, they used many of the very same pogroms against Jews and other enemies, that had been used by the Allied nations against their countless colonial conquests. That system began cannibalizing some its own. Understand this, what happened in Vietnam is no different than what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan and so many other countries where our government is interfering with the rights of others to self-determine. Our government doesn't care about freedom and democracy. It cares about national interests i.e, profit.

Manning and Assange did not have to leak anything. We already know how dubious the game of global politics and power plays out for everyday citizens. Free these men and let's pull back the troops. We're creating monsters sending our brothers and sisters abroad to kill and steal.

Izanoiz, you freakin' rock! I felt you channeling in your comment...awesome!

The US military got embarrassed by the Apache incident and needed to divert the attention away from itself by way of Pvt. Manning. He should be released immediately and the military should be investigated. There is no need to hide face to save face. Man-up and accept error where error has been made. Higher rank cowards rarely do.

These types of attitudes and actions clearly show the need for organizations such as WikiLeaks. Hey Assange, the World is still waiting for the swiss bank releases.

Hey, we waterboard our own troops for training.....lets give this guy a "refresher" course......he'll be more forthcoming with the who, what, where,how and why.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/04/duncan-hunter/duncan-hunter-says-we-have-waterboarded-our-own-mi/

As flawed as our system may be, I'd rather have what we have than Michael Moore running the country and Manning leading the Army. Folks can't seem to understand that Manning is charged with 2 specific violations of the UCMJ. He faces a total jail time of 53 years. His trial? is a court martial and different from JAG, NCIS, and other TV shows watched. The military cares very little why he did what he did, just that he did it. He had stated in e mails to a friend that he did what he is accused of. Not a confession, but an unsolicited admission of guilt. The fact that they can't get it to Assange directly doesn't help Manning, just Assange. Manning allegedly downloaded the documents to his laptop/pc; then, sent them out. There's a whole page on Manning that chronologically states what he did and is accused of----read it----and you don't have to speculate as to what was done.

And the military can continue to kill civilians with Apaches and other brutal methods and weapons. Read the article and you may see that Manning was trying to go up the chain of command to alert of an avoidable situation and was told to stand down. Read it and you won't have to speculate. In Manning's situation we are talking about data being downloaded in order to alert higher command. In the situation of the Apache we are talking about innocent human lives being lost needlessly. I guess it is OK because we are Americans and can do whatever and whenever we want to in the World and can not be questioned or brought to bear responsibility.

Thank you for your service Mr. Manning.

So Manning made a copy of the information and gave it to someone who gave it to Assange.

That changes nothing with regard to Manning's illegal actions, and the price he should pay.

As for Michael Moore, why doesn't he go live in Cuba, since he seems to think living under Castro is so great? He's a hypoctite for bashing the American way of life while living in luxury because of the American way of life.

Looks like the Army screwed up again.

So sick of USA bashers.

All states and bank accounts holders who got robbed by Assange network need to take him and the network to court for helping the thieves to rob their accounts and private information as partners in the robbery. Just like a bank robbery, who goes to jail, the people who robbed the bank including their planners and helpers.

I guess this the correct justice to punish criminals like the Wikileaks copy and privacy right violation.

Manning "admitted" to copying and releasing these classified files, to an online hacker who turned him in. The hacker showed the military the chats he had with Manning and he was arrested shortly after. This is not complicated, he is not a scapegoat, just an idiot. The fact they can't find a direct link to Assenge just means Assenge is smarter then Manning.

Jerry,

You label people calling for their government/military/politicians/leaders to be accountable and provide their services based on the highest of moral standards while upholding the Constitution of the United States as USA 'bashers'. Well you are wrong in your labeling. It is of the utmost importance to have people of all walks of life demanding the best from our representatives otherwise America is doomed as We the People relax and allow for any type of criminal behavior in our names as we sign away our liberties. Maybe you should step up to the plate.

Peter Jacobs, If you read the admissions that Manning made, it was never his intent to go "higher" up with what he thought he had. It was his clear intent to release what he had to the public. Now, Wikileaks somehow, someway, got what he did and published what he had. How do you figure that may have happened. Manning released the documents. We know he did. He said so. There are no whys to it. His court martial is going to be concerned with one thing only. Did he or did he not not release the documents? I read what I told you to read. You didn't. If you did, you'd know that the case against him is pretty strong. He has a chain of command available to him up to and including the President. He could have went to his congressman, his Senator, DOA, DOD. He did none of the above. Sorry, the end doesn't justify the means. Personally, I wouldn't put him in solitary. I'd cut him loose in the GP, turn my back, and let the other prisoners handle it. Would that be cruel and inhumane also?

I love being a christian nation that can do no wrong because GOD is on our side, F YEAH!

all those in favor of dropping the biggest atomic bomb we can make on the middle east to resolve this thing once and for all, raise your hands!

God needs to see who you are, so he can reward you at the pearly gates for your undying love for him and your undying thrist for brown peoples blood!

GO AMERICA, F YEAH! we rule, others drool, kill assange, kill anyone who disagrees with the red, white and blue...America is the best, all you america haters need to die, GOD HATES YOU!

*i want to vomit from all that sarcasm.

I hope god isnt as whacked out as the rest of you.

follow the yellow brick road "He has a chain of command available to him up to and including the President. He could have went to his congressman, his Senator, DOA, DOD. He did none of the above. Sorry, the end doesn't justify the means. Personally, I wouldn't put him in solitary. I'd cut him loose in the GP, turn my back, and let the other prisoners handle it. Would that be cruel and inhumane also?"

this is funny, that you actually believe have an ACTUAL chain of command to follow, as if ANYONE will listen to them and take them seriously, versus destroying their career for speaking up.

Let me break reality to you. I work in a small office, the boss' daughter took 36 days off last year. She is given 16 days off in a year. She shows up at 8:30 every day and leaves at 4:30 whether or not she takes a lunch. She even stole $200 in gift cards out of my wallet the day before New Years Eve when we were working alone together.

Do you think I, or any of us in this office, have a chain of command to follow? Do you think ANYONE would take us seriously, or better yet, not put giant bullseyes on our backs for speaking up?

You're insane if you believe that, and I just work in a rinky dink sales office that actually has a corporate office in which I COULD make complaints to.

I have in the past, regarding performance and tardiness - 2 years ago. Guess what happened, nothing. Zip, zilch, nada. They were kind enough not to let my immediate boss now that I had jumped him and went to corporate with our frustrations. It saved me my job, but nothing changed.

Shortly after that, the other 2 sales reps had a talk with the boss about his daughter - he tore them to pieces and told them NEVER to talk to him about her like that again.

You see, sometimes, there's nowhere to go about something, no way to change something, other than blowing the big whistle...and even then, that doesnt always work.

wake up dude, the real world is nothing like you think.

Manning did the right thing...we need to know this stuff, we need whistle blowers...im tired of living in world in which the "snitch" is the bad guy, not the actual bad guys doing the bad things the "snitch" is "snitching" about.

All states and bank accounts holders who got robbed by Assange network need to take him and the network to court for helping the thieves to rob their accounts and private information as partners in the robbery. Just like a bank robbery, who goes to jail, the people who robbed the bank including their planners and helpers.

I guess this the correct justice to punish criminals like the Wikileaks copy and privacy right violation.

What are you talking about? No one tied to wikileaks robbed anyone. Assange has no network. What the hell is a 'network' anyway? Are you talking about Anonymous? If you are, I really suggest you do a little reading and understand what Anon is. Anonymous DDoS attacked a few credit card companies for bowing to political pressure.

Or are you talking about the single whistle blower that gutted BoA records to show their malfeasant? Or the Swiss bank records? There was no 'network', there were single men who had enough of the criminal acts of the banks and went to the media.

Wikileaks at no point is going to release the names or account numbers, or any other such information. They are going to release, through the press, filtered information.

Bank robbery; common sense just exploded into a million glittery pieces.......

Jessica, I'm 63 and a vet and I know far more about the real world than you. It probably be best if you found another job.

well bloody nora Jessica how Christian of You to tell me l am Hated...Blinks Blinks

Jess, I started to say this, but stopped. I doubt F YEAH is in God's vocabulary? It is definitely in yours.

You couldn't possibly has missed Jessica's sarcasm because she freakin POSTED it at the end.

Good lord people.

I also think you need to get a different job tho, I've been at places, any type of corporate structure is rife with favoritism but usually you are protected for pointing out people blatantly abusing the system. Not having family work with family was one of the first commandments I learned, followed by not dating the plebs.

well Great Capt...You and Jess can go and see a Cowboys game ....and Tripp together....while ya there you might want to take that cork out of her head and Blow...see whats in there...dust...jui jui beans...gummi bears...fairy dust..who knows...Peace Brother!

Kind of funny that you don't see Assange posturing with other countries like he is with the U.S. In most of the other countries around the world, he would already be in a pine box, but since he receives enormous support from a small percentage of the American population he is emboldened to continue posting this trash. Let him try to post the same content from China or Russia or Germany, etc. The person releasing that information would not be around to complain of his/her treatment. Only in America do people exhibit so much outrage that a traitor is not being treated properly.

The Christian god ordered the ancient Hebrews to commit genocide. That same god raped Mary...knocked her up with out permission.

If you worship a diety like that, you're as good as a genocidal rapist.

How did god, or Christianity get brought up?

Yellow Road,

I appreciate what you are saying. He may have downloaded the info. or he may not have. He may have been tortured into saying what ever. If he is proven guilty then he should definitely serve his time.

If he is proven guilty then higher rank heads should roll for having been ineffective in their duties to protect secure info. and certainly some lapse in control processes and security clearings.

Regardless of any of the above, the US military should be held accountable for literally murdering civilians with this Apache incidence. The video proves without a shadow of a doubt this murdering rant by the US military. This is the REAL evidence and Pvt. Manning showed it to the World and the military does not like the fact that their murderous behavior got showed. They have absolutely no way to deny it anymore and are trying to make an example out of Pvt. Manning so that their veil of secrecy and criminal behavior NEVER gets out again.

If any of these civilians were my kin I would be looking for any means necessary to sue the US for their murderous acts. Finally, if I were an Apache Indian I would also be suing the US government to change the name of this damned helicopter for having one purpose in life and that is to kill humans.

Peter, Manning's admissions came before and were the cause of his arrest. He's represented by some of the best military attorneys in the nation. Do you remotely think they'd allow him to be tortured and just let it slide. It seems that you still haven't read the page on Bradley Manning yet. Other posters here obviously have and reference it. Making a statement that the sole purpose of Apache helicopters in life is to kill people??? Yes, they kill, but they also save lives----many of them. The nation's policy is that we want the best trained, best equipped, military in the world. During WWII, we dropped 2 A bombs on Japan, killed hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children, ordered by a President. We bombed Germany into oblivion. Same in Vietnam. Stuff happens. Where was Reuters when this happened? Enough said. We'll see what Manning's court martial discovers.

What we are seeing is exactly why I convinced my son to not join the military because they always mistreat people ,sometimes for discipline and sometimes because that just can

I told him to look at enlestment as the last choice in his list and I told recuters to go away

I agree with you YBR. He will do time for what he has done. Yet whistle blowers should not be discouraged because they do bring to light atrocities committed by governments in the name of the people. Government must be kept in check or else it will run amok.

Stuff happens.

You are right. Wonder how we would feel if stuff happened to us.

There was never any evidence that he was the one who gave Assange the information he put out over wikileaks. The only thing Manning ever did was leak the video of the helicopter. This was made abundantly clear by people who know anything about operations in the military when the story first broke. I was one of the people calling bullsh!t on the charges. Manning didn't have the clearance to leak the kind of information they were talking about and he certainly wouldn't have had access to the plethora of files (mundane as they were) that were released.

It is my understanding that he bragged about how easy it was to steal so many documents. What about all the stuff about him going in with a disc filled with music then erasing it and loading all the files on it. Is that all made up?

He was caught because he told other people he had done it--giving specifics that were very easily confirmed. Hoist on his own petard--that's how they knew it was him. If he'd kept his mouth shut, they would never have known which of the many, many people with access was the culprit.

He did this because he has an outsized ego--if some good comes out of it, that's nice. I won't be surprised if a great deal of harm comes out of it. But, his motivation was self-aggrandization, nothing more.

In October 2009, Manning was sent to Iraq to work for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Contingency Operating Station Hammer, near Baghdad. According to ABC News, he was reprimanded while he was there for assaulting a fellow soldier, and was demoted from Specialist to Private First Class."

While in Iraq, Manning was able to access SIPRNet from his workstation. He was also said to have had access to the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System.

On Feb 18, 2010, On February 18, Wikileaks posted the first of the material that allegedly came from Manning. It was a diplomatic cable dated January 13, 2010 from the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland—a document now known as Reykjavik13. During his chats with Lamo, Manning called this a "test" document. The United States Department of State told the BBC it believes Manning 'obtained secret diplomatic data despite being at a field base in Iraq'.^[13] Manning allegedly passed the video of the July 12, 2007 Baghdad airstrike to Wikileaks, which published it in April. see "Support for US 'WikiLeaks' soldier raised in west Wales". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11324925

The network systems that we use over here are overwatched constantly. You have to log in with a username and password. When you log in every thing you do on the computer is logged. To get access to anything has to be requested. I'm in one unit, I don't have access to another unit's files on the shared server because I don't need access to them. If I need access I have to request it and when I access them it's recorded.

The article states:

"The officials say that while investigators have determined that Manning had allegedly unlawfully downloaded tens of thousands of documents onto his own computer and passed them to an unauthorized person, there is apparently no evidence he passed the files directly to Assange, or had any direct contact with the controversial WikiLeaks figure."

He downloaded the files. They just can't link him to Assange.

Just possessing Classified and/or Top Secret Documents especially on one's own personal computer is against the law silly

Rhody thats not entirely true. He had access and permission to access such files, once he put them onto his laptop or removable disc, that disc became classifed government property, still permissable for him to carry until he handed it off.

Charles and Arch it's not that cut and dried. Manning tried to utilize resources that were put in place After Malai. It's reported that he was told by superiors to "NOT PURSUE" his complaint. What other choices were left to him? He concluded as an "ANALYST" his MO. That there was a problem and his concerns whether valid or not were QUASHED. The most important thing everyone in this conversation has missed is. Yes, Private Manning did sign a contract when he enlisted. And yes he agreed to certain rules of conduct. The most important part of that contract is that it's a contract with American people. If it is in fact true that he acted in good faith by trying to get a potential war crime real or imagined stopped or prevented. Then those responsible for blocking that effort need to exchange places with him in that prison cell.

Arch-75703

Rhody thats not entirely true. He had access and permission to access such files, once he put them onto his laptop or removable disc, that disc became classifed government property, still permissable for him to carry until he handed it off.

Arch,

No personal electronic are allowed or to be used in a facilty. I watch as X-Boxes where brought in by a group of young soldiers only to be crushed and harddrive where sanitized. This bonehead violated tons of security procedures. Most are in place just to stp introducing Chinese viruses. I can say this kid will regret his actions. He downloaded so many documents, he could of leak serious info by accidents instead of Hillaries unprofessional minions.

Ron Willison

Charles and Arch it's not that cut and dried. Manning tried to utilize resources that were put in place After Malai. It's reported that he was told by superiors to "NOT PURSUE" his complaint. What other choices were left to him? He concluded as an "ANALYST" his MO. That there was a problem and his concerns whether valid or not were QUASHED. The most important thing everyone in this conversation has missed is. Yes, Private Manning did sign a contract when he enlisted. And yes he agreed to certain rules of conduct. The most important part of that contract is that it's a contract with American people. If it is in fact true that he acted in good faith by trying to get a potential war crime real or imagined stopped or prevented. Then those responsible for blocking that effort need to exchange places with him in that prison cell.

Mr. Wilson,

It is not a privates place to make the decision to leak to the world this information. The system he pulled it off is not a local deposit, a very large community vets the info. morjority of the information was from the State Department, what does private joe snuffy have to do with this info. As an early writer wrote, so far most info has been an embarrassment because of off handed remarks by Hillary's people.

It doesn't matter what he released. Classified documents are classified. A private doesn't get to make decisions about what is and is not a war crime. If he voiced concerns to a superior and was told not to worry about it, there could be circumstances of which the private was unaware. Information is held back from military members with no need to know for a reason. A private is not a private citizen. He does not have the same options a civilian does. When I was in the military, we had a joke about how the military was a dictatorship in place to protect a democracy. This is true. Questioning orders or making decisions such as the one he made could cost lives. I dont' care if what he released was nothing more than a weather report for the south pole. If it is classified and he passed it to someone else, he committed a crime.

Asange is another matter, however. He is not a US citizen and not a member of our military. He owes no allegience to the US. He had no obligation not to release information that came to him, although I would not recommend he plan a trip to the US anytime soon.

He's going to jail for 50 years, at that he would like the deal better than the one, I would give him.

yes--if they can't find any connection, then Manning needs to be released posthaste! Enough of this. Our government needs to stop this imprisionment and torture. The authorities want to blame someone so they blame a low ranking person--heaven forbid it might be someone higher up that may know where the skeletons are buried! They are also going after Assange because he is exposing world governments' lies and underhanded dealings!

This is a fine example of our country treating its citizens "innocent until proven guilty".

It's not just Manning. This is the way many of our citizens are treated, but the real rub is how many high powered citizens involved in white collar crime NEVER see the inside of a jail cell.

Michael Moore and Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg have called for Bradley to be released from detention.

This is a military matter..........whatever Moore and Ellsberg 'want' has no value. They need to FO.

The article clearly states that the military cannot, at this time, connect him directly with Assange. IT DOES NOT say that they do not have evidence that he committed the crime. He has even admitted it.

If he accessed all the info that was leaked without a need to know, then he is guilty of something. Don't the computers record when you access things? Would it just be a coincidence that all the stuff he accessed ended up on wikileaks?

dan: who are "they"?

All of you who don't have to depend on these secrets being kept have no idea what's at stake in combat. As a veteran of OEF and OIF, I understand all too well that a breach in security can hurt or even kill us when we go out on convoys and patrols. We must have the knowledge that we are able to prosecute and stop those who would attempt to give away secrets that allow the enemy to murder us, like the treasonous Manning.

Lifeflight, it needs not be reminded that not every american is knowledgable, understanding or even cares about the well being of our armed forces. I recall some time after 911, where a sailor was trying to send info about ship movements, while he was stationed on one of the vessels, in response to muslim calls to Jadhad. The Fort Hood shooting is another example. The many people caught in acts of espianoge in the 80's & 90's.

Treason is a bad thing, to do to your country, ladies & gentlement. Do you want a young man to go free, after his actions could contribute to the loss of your neighber's son? Your bosses niece? Your daughter? yourself?

i'm reminded since this site is worldwide, that not everyone who posts is american or cares about us. i'm reminded to ignore the trolls (chastise myself when i slip into the role myself), remain sympathetic when i can, hard when approiate....

lifeflight,

While it is true that some information, if released injudiciously, can cause a great deal of trouble, what many of us are concerned about is the fact that these cables also reveal a great deal of information that indicates that our government is lying to us.

So far, Wikileaks has behaved responsibly. They have no released information that could be caused to hurt someone. So far, nothing that Manning has released has caused you or any other American soldier, or any friendly Iraqi or Afghani to be murdered. The Pentagon has admitted as much.

lifeflight: Not everyone agrees in the war.

So what action do you suggest people take in order to expose the alterior motive the government had in initiating the war and how to end it?

Well said,Debi and nurse. Thank you.

Recent show said NONE of these documents were labeled TOP SECRET..only secret or below.

Will we ever know the real truth ? .. pfftttttt

Personally, I think it's hilarious that lots of the documents were but phone calls and such of our fearless leaders, dissing other countries leaders (tabloid junk really). Kinda interesting, if you're the king or leader of some country, we kissing up to, to see the same head of state talk behind your back in such a manner.

l agree with you Civil Servant...l thought it equally hilarious...all it showed was what America thought of everyone...and now l know what you blokes really think when you are smiling... saying G'day and shaking hands...and behind your teeth saying...l wish l wasn't bloody here.. l hate this place...lmao...l think this is more of a matter of being caught with ya pants down...and America doesn't like that too much...well..it won't hurt you..little humble pie now and then is good for the soul...builds character..don't you think?

sorry to say a few nitwits are wrong. Some of these Manning leaks revealed friends who support in battle in foreign countries and exposing their names and locations is most certainly dangerous but I expect stupidity here on this blogging site.

Daniel-1781979

Well said,Debi and nurse. Thank you.

Daniel,

Embarrassing as these where to the Obama/Hillary administration, they showed nothing more then their lies and arrogant belittling of other nations. The problem is this Soldier was intrusted to carry out a mission. He was already in trouble for assualting other soliders and thought he woould strike back by becoming an agent for the bad guys. He did not do it for a pure reason. He did to hurt the USA. Hillary must have apologizing day and night>

l am well aware of what these leaks revealed perhaps more than YOU!

Whos money is it Anyways: Where did you come up with this fairy tale? LOL

So, Mr Manning downloaded a whole bunch of sensitive stuff to his computer, and if we don't know who he gave the information to, then we basically have no real case against him

So, let me get this straight. He admits to stealing the classified information and you think that just because he didn't give it to anybody (lol) that he should go free?

If I ever need a lawyer, it would not be you!

If he downloaded information he had no need to know, that can land him in the brig for a long, long time all by itself.

The young man was a military recruit. People go in the military voluntarily, and they take an oath. They are then trained--he was a specialist. He knew perfectly well what he was and was not allowed to do.

Because they trusted the young man, he was allowed to bring CDs to work and other devices as well. They were just trying to make his life as pleasant as possible--as he probably had a very dull job.

He repaid them by using his rewritable CDs to download materials, by using pin drives to download classified information, and so forth. Just accessing the information illegally is enough to put him in jail.

Remember the Google employees who were fired for just looking at customer's private data? How about the State Department employees who were fired for looking at Barack Obama's passport file?

Classified data has to be handled in a specific way--and individuals are not allowed to download it and take it out of the secured facility. The young man doubtless signed a form stating what would happen if he did so--this is required for anyone who accesses classified files.

If one is going to break the law for the "greater good," then one has to be prepared for the consequences of civil disobedience--which is jail time. It is a good idea to make darned sure that the thing you are sacrificing your freedom for really is worth that freedom. I don't see this child as being interested in anything other than showing how much smarter he is than everyone else--which is characteristic of a narcissist, not a martyr.

Old Timer: Perhaps the 'laid bear' was getting even...

Beanathome, I suppose that means commenting on the internet like now. This is a freedom we now all enjoy. But someday and not to distant future it could be axed. Because the govenment can't control us. What comes out of our mouths and what is inside of our heads. I think that is how all good revolutions start in the electronic age of mass media. People learn the truth. What is really going on. Who is doing what to who. You find out that your government is not telling the truth. I mean they kill there own people. Look at MSNBC/COMCAST/NBC government let this merger take place consolidate media even more. Where's Keith O. Now? Your Government is not your friend.

keith O. shot himself in the foot. I wouldn't cry too hard for him, seems he gets to take home something like 14 million, give or take a dollar.

Why isn't the question being asked: how is it that a lowly private had access to all this "sensitive" information in the first place? Who was responsible for data security? Those are far more important questions if the real concern is national security.

Why isn't the question being asked: how is it that a lowly private had access to all this "sensitive" information in the first place?

The fact that he is/was a "lowly private" is inconsequential, security clearances are generally not based upon rank. You're either cleared, (and/or briefed,) or you're not.

So, Old Timer-88224, you correct the writer of the article on how to spell a specific word -- and then you spell another word incorrectly. Wow, such a hypocrite.

Bradley Manning might just be a convenient fall guy, already tried and constricted in the media without evidence of espionage.....

Yet where are all these important revelations from all these released documents? Almost nothing has been reported. All they did was put a bunch of peoples lives at risk. Of course, all the left wing liberal wingnuts out the don't care. They hate the US and want it to fail at everything. That fits their world view. So they don't care if Manning did something illegal. They celebrate it. I am going to laugh my butt off watching them all blubber if they can figure a way to shoot the SOB.

Care to provide some evidence of 'a bunch of people', as in more than 4. Specific examples.

Much has been reported. Few lives have been put at risk. You would know this if you had any real interest.

It is disheartening to see that you find humor in your fantasies of execution. Perhaps you should get that checked out by a professional?

Hey, lorent, do you happen to have any REAL proof that anyone's life has been endangered by the release of those EXTREMELY embarrassing diplomatic cables? No? Then please shut yer gob.

Incredulous Aussie ? your an idiot ! l am an Australian and We are One of the Western Governments...shut your mouth...your embarrassing!

to TheQuackedOne

It doesn't matter if there is proof that anyone's life is in danger. Classified documents are classified even if it's just the dinner menu for the local chow hall. Once that little red stamp was slapped onto that document, Manning was under obligation to follow procedure. Who knows, maybe someone wants the chow hall menu so they can poison some soldiers.

When was the last time you heard of a Tiananmen Square type of incident in the U.S.? Very inaccurate comparison.

Oh, the Looney Left is out in force tonight...

It appears that China is currently becoming more like how the USA was back in the 60s and 70s ... and the USA is currently becoming more of what China was like back in the 60s and 70s.

That picture isnt a very good one for us here in America.

If you ask me it's the bankers and Wall St. crooks that are guilty of espionage. Every time we complain about China's human rights record the Chinese end up in the hospital with hernias from laughing so hard. The war profiteers and corporations own this country just like they did in Germany in the 1930's

Average:

So much for innocent until proven guilty.

Plenty of people are held before trial. If you are deemed dangerous or a flight risk, you can be denied bail and held until your trial. This is normal.

Steve-564412 - are you serious?
Is your memory really that short? Why do Americans preach about democracy and criticize other governments when the U.S. is the worst global offender?

Here are a few "Tienanmen Square type of incident in the U.S."

- Kent State massacre
- Guantánamo Bay tortures
- Apache helicopter massacre of private citizens and reporters in Iraq
- George Bush and Dick Cheney approval to torture U.S. citizens
- Executions in Texas of mentally handicapped prisoners (3 in the past 5 years)
- Renditions of innocent people and their subsequent torture
- Covert assassinations (ask Cheney for details)
- Ignoring the Geneva Conventions
- Illegal wars
- Occupation of sovereign countries and suspension of basic human rights
- Forcing the new Iraqi government to sign over oil rights to U.S. corporations under threat during the illegal undeclared war in Iraq

I could go on for pages, but you get the idea, hypocrites like to ignore the truth about the U.S. actions, but like to preach about China and other countries.

You obviously think Manning is a civilian. He is not. He's in the Army and under military law, he's guilty until proven innocent.

Foreigner,

Imperfect as modern day America is, it has still has never rounded up it's own citizens on government orders for impromptu executions after a demonstration.

The Kent State shootings were not the result of direct orders from State or Federal authorities, but rather they were a kneejerk reaction from those in command at the site. Unlike what happened in China, governmental authorities investigated the incident, just as they have in regard to Guantanamo Bay and the Apache helicopter incident (which was the result of very poor training and decision making). I won't necessarily say that the investigation outcomes yielded the best results, but at least US citizens can, without fear of reprisal, pressure authorities to check accountability. You can't do that in many places outside of America.

Here in America if someone with governmental authority becomes abusive, there is almost always a legal recourse of action for those offended. Thanks to the separation of powers under our constitution, we do not live under a totaliterian government that has absolute control over the courts.

As for your remaining 8 items, 7 are severely lacking in either specificity or proof...and a mentally handicapped person isn't necessarily oblivious to right and wrong.

Strve: Your post makes it obvious you have never stood up against this Government. During Vietnam there were people who knew we had no moral or political reason to be there. Some of those good people were destroyed outers were forced to leave the country.

You are quite free in America as long as you go along with those that will do anything. Our CIA has murdered more decent people than you can imagine. Certainly they had training manuals telling the contras to chose favorite teachers and respected leaders and cut their throats. Leave a lot of blood and discourage the people; That's the way, we overthrew an elected government.

We better get all the information we can on the corrupt powers that run our country before their greed and evil destroy us.

Thank you Henador. I was wondering when someone was going to catch that one. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, unless he is specifically granted a right, that right does not exist. And Manning cannot protest ignorance of this fact. Military members must attending briefings about this during training and probably still have to attend yearly refreshers in UCMJ. Why not take his information about the specific war crime to a large US news agency or his congressman instead of passing diplomatic documents that seem to have nothing to do with war crimes to a 3rd party. He can try and whitewash what he did all he wants about reporting what he thought were war crimes, but I think he was just upset because he lost a rank and was looking to get even.

Frank Morton,

Please list the names of people who were destroyed or forced to leave the country by direct mandate of the Federal Government because of their stand on the Vietnam War; be sure to give dates.

Also, give the names of the decent people whom the CIA murdered, again with dates.

For all of your allegations that you lists names for, please be sure to cite your sources. I couldn't find anything in the search engine that would come up with an article or other document supporting your claims. My evidence on the other hand can be easily Googled or Binged; that's why I don't normally cite sources, but if anyone wants me to, I WILL.

I don't know what YOU mean by standing up to the government. I have aired my opinions many times on Newsvine many times; if you'll click my name, you can fish through my comments for the last two years, and see for yourself that they are not all pro-government...I have my own opinions! If on the other hand, you mean openly displaying a disagreement with our government officials in public meetings, then I have not had cause to do that..YET; of course, this is something that you have done so bravely at least once. Have you ever written your Representative? If so, then good; I've done it a few times myself....and my three communiques to Mac Thornberry weren't on the order of "atta boy!"

Finally, I have always been quite free in America, period! It has never depended on my political views. In fact, I have never known anyone, who considered themselves to be on the verge of exile or imprisonment because of being too far left or too far right. Do you personally know someone like that? If so, then I would like to talk with him.

Your post is typical of the type of unfounded sophistry that too many tend to spray all over Newsvine comment pages. Unless you're trying to be humorous, then don't assert historicity unless you can substantiate it.

Ron: You may be on to something.

Ron, I think you are half human. There is a glimmer of hope.

Hey Ron, want to see my ear necklace?

The concept of cover-ups and military action go hand in hand. Even the Tillman case was spun....and yet for no real reason....he was forward of his position and got shot. But the military only answers to themselves, with the drones having to follow their chain of command. Let's never forget that America should never be run by the military...said so many times. As we target Assange and this private who has one big grudge, we conveniently give the military a pass.

That is our way of also removing our own militaristic self from the equation. You reap what you sow. You wanted a gun-totin' invading society that dictated foreign policy thru its military.....you got it. And, what you got was a big step backward with civil and moral welfare. Is it any wonder that today's headlines are about a domestic issue....where cops are being shot and killed....without any forethought? Militant society brings death among your own.

We despise these leaks, because it reveals much about ourselves. It is time to grow up America, put away the bullseyes, the blank check military funding, the target on politicians, the riotous rhetoric....act civil, and have dialog.....learn about globalization and what it means...it means we use our military in a much more responsible way.

Chuck you are disgusting. Ron - As I lay in the f'ing mud in Phuck Long I wondered how we were fighting for America. Come to find out we weren't, we were fighting for a few fay Frenchmen that thought that they should own Vietnam. We were fighting for the Industrial Military Complex because you can't test weapons without killing people.

Then years later we find out every incident that lead to the escalation of the war was a lie. Spc Pvt Manning is a patriot if he indeed reveled the war crimes that were committed on the video. Ssgt USMC - Semper Fi

Thank you Keith, for realizing the truth. You are a real patriot.

BTW Keith, I believe that war was what got Kennedy assasinated. Kennedy signed the withdrawal and before his body was cold, Johnson rescinded it, of course to the delight of his industrial military complex friends.

You can connect the dots.

Keith-- don't forget it was also a proxy war against communism. You know, that whole domino effect speech.

Right - WMG-21 There were all kinds of reasons we were doing things that we weren't supposed to do in Places we weren't supposed to be.

Truth is the first casualty of war.

The dominoes the worried about were banks. Why would it matter if Korea or Vietnam were communist or whatever. They could have reversed by now, the average American would not be concerned or bothered.

These wars are fought for big money interest. If our oil companies controlled all oil we would get raped just as bad or worse. Notice, we defend the Emir of Kuwait and the Saudi royal family. Next summer they will probably tell how OPEC is robbing us. Bet, they don't say we are OPEC.

Frank. Actually the real reason we went to war with IRAQ is because Saddam was garnering support in the region to "DEPEG" the US dollar from OIL. Saddam was unhappy with OPEC, as they were regulating oils price and keeping it below what Saddam wanted. He wanted to REPEG to the EURO. This would have destroyed our economy instantly. PETRO-DOLLARS is what it was and is to this day.

What really sucks is that it's looking like it's probably going to happen anyway. But not to the EURO. It's the Chinese YUAN that's slated to be the new petro-dollar.

You are right about him being required to report a war crime. In fact, he's bound not just to report a war crime but to stop it. That attack he reported was a war crime, torture is also a war crime and many of the other actions taken by this government under the Bush and now Obama administration are war crimes.

No Chuck. I don't want to see your "Ear Neckless" For those of you that don't know. Ear neckless= a form of taking scalps Viet Nam style. Usually practiced by soldiers that enjoyed killing. Soldiers with that mind set are usually the ones that reenlisted many times. They also enjoyed sleeping with the ten and 12 year old momma sans.

Keith-1952:

BRAVO, Sarge! The brainwashing FINALLY wore off. The same is true about every other war instigated by our government since Korea. Semper Fi !

"No War but Class War!" Joe Hill

Bravo, guys.

Only one problem with many of your theories, he held a TS. He released CLASSIFIED/SECRET documents. He was in violation of his Army oaths. If you have a problem, you take it to the JAG or the IG, if you can't get your chain to listen. If they are concealing crimes, it is your responsibility to FIND someone who will listen. You don't stock-pile TS files and release them to the media.

Ron, nouns ending in y don't need an apostrophe. Please. You discredit yourself.

MilitaryMan you say it is your responsibility to FIND someone who will listen. And what if no one listens just let it go? I think not if war crime or crimes are being committed.

cuitlahuac: I understood Ron perfectly, with or without an apostrophe.

Military Man: Manning finally found someone who would listen...Wikileaks and did his patriotic duty uncovering a cover-up.

Right. And those avenues are squealched. Like the soldiers in Iraq upset at being forced to go to religious prayer sessions seeing their complaints stop at the next level up. Give me a break.

Fat chance...they have their scapegoat and now the spin will commence...he will be painted as worse than Goebbels by the time the authorities are finished with him

Truth is always the first casualty!!

Manning has amited leaking the information,

On May 25, according to chat logs with Adrian Lamo, Bradley Manning told Lamo he had taken CD-RWs containing music to work, erased them and rewrote them with the downloaded documents. According to Wired, he wrote that he "listened and lip-synced to Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' while exfiltrating possibly the largest data spillage in American history ... pretty simple, and unglamorous ..." Of the security he wrote: "it was vulnerable as @!$%# ... no-one suspected a thing ... kind of sad ... weak servers, weak logging, weak physical security, weak counter-intelligence, inattentive signal analysis... a perfect storm ". He asked Lamo "I mean what if I were someone more malicious," writing that he could have sold the material to Russia or China. When asked why he had not done that, he wrote: "it belongs in the public domain ... information should be free. see Xeni, Jardin. "Wikileaks: a somewhat less redacted version of the Lamo/Manning logs", Boing Boing, June 19, 2010.

Even if they can't prove anything connecting directly to this case, there's another one they're 100 percent sure of. That would be the video of the helicopter he leaked.

Re-read the article - he's clearly guilty. All they're saying is that information given to Wikileaks is given anonymously. Therefore, there is no evidence linking Assange directly to Manning - not that that's relevant to anything in particular. However, Assange is clearly responsible for publishing the information, which may or may not be a crime, depending upon which country's laws you use. I suspect if he released something damaging to Russia or China's interests, he might be prosecuted - or worse.

AC You said it. Does this say something of how lamm our own government is. They have to blame someone for there soft security. That it can be breached. By just about anyone with a little knowhow. What are we really secure from? Nothing!

Need I mention that the Patriot Act which expires or portions therein expire soon. I am sure your lovingly congress will reinstate all that expires and maybe more without a word of it spoken to the public citizen's. I also look forward to internet reform in part from this incident and large corporations like Verizon and Google. Democracy at work without a word or vote from you the public citizen's of America.

Actually Obama has enlarged and enhanced on the unpatriot act.

As far as I am concerned. If this issue has enough staying power to capture the attention of the 75 percent of Americans that are watching American idol or Professional Wrestling that NEVER tune in to what goes on in our Nations Capitol. Who knows we might gets some traction on getting rid of the abomination called THE PATRIOT ACT Along with it's proponents. Should that happen. Stick a medal on Manning and those at wikileaks. Just for the record. The Patriot Act was renewed in the last 72 hours. And not a peep from mainstream.

Who is "he"? Do you mean the soldier? He already admitted that he did exactly what he is charged with--and he admitted it long before he was arrested. It was his bragging that made him a suspect, and when his bragging was double-checked, it turned out that he was telling the truth.

If you don't think that the young man's own version--prior to arrest--of what he's done was true, who do you think is telling the truth?

The young man did what they say he did--he is in jail. What he will ultimately be found guilty of is something for the court to decide. But, is he guilty of downloading classified material and putting it in the "public domain." Definitely--try reading his own words.

and five idiots have already given kudos to your post? Innocent? You must be on crack. Or whatever it is that they give to liberals to hold the nutty positions they hold.

I hope he is shot. He absolutely deserves to be. Except in the leftinst wingnut universe...

He may be guilty, but he's a bigger hero than anyone serving in the dishonourable Bush wars. Sorry military people, you don't get to lie to us and say it's for our own good. We the people have a right to know what you do with 40% of our tax revenue.

Listen to yourself.

You don't approve of the outcome so you heap criticism on the process. Like it or not the cost of freedom and democracy is that not everything that happens will meet with your approval!!

Speculator, I find it sad that you believe your govenment. I find you guilty of treason. You are not American. You are not Human. The mass media culture that we have created here in America is very very sad. Unhuman. Just like our Government. We talk a big talk when it comes to Human Right's when we American's have nothing to be proud of. I still wonder what my father and my brother's fought for. It sure as hell wasn't a free democracy where we treat people like we do.

Julian Assange - another innocent man the lynch mob was ready to destroy a few weeks back.

Stay the path Julian, we are with you back home here.

Assange is a man who likes to make money. He is an Australian who does not like the US. Very much like Murdoch, they are out to punk the system in the US by either spreading lies or by revealing secrets.

Let's say that someone goes to Australia and gets Australian state secrets that bring hatred upon that country--as Australia play just as fast and loose with Third World countries as any other Western nation. Perhaps someone should visit this same issue on Australia.

Frankly, I am tired of the Australians and their superior attitudes about things. They are no better than white South Africans when it comes to their own treatment of Aboriginals. And, they have practically no infrastructure to protect themselves against any kind of threat--having profited from the protections first of the UK and now of other Western powers.

I would be fine with stepping back and letting them defend themselves against an increasingly hostile and powerful Asian community, particularly the Islamic Asian community. Let's spill a few of their state secrets, particularly as it comes to underhanded dealings in Asia. Hoist on their own petard, also.

What I find funny is that all you leftist wingnuts try to argue facts when you really don't care about them. You don't care what he did. You just want him to get off because he did things you think support your worldview.

So quit trying to pretend you are actually arguing for truth. You don't give a damn what is true or not related to this guy. As far as you are concerned he could have murdered somebody if it forwarded your agenda. Actually, probably, his actions already caused the death of people. But you don't care.

What is going to happen is that this guy is going to spend the rest of his life staring at the walls of his cell. Hopefully they figure out a way to off him legally. I will laugh at your outrage. He deserves it. And if you are ok with what he did, you deserve the same treatment yourself.

Lol, I have an opinion and I deserve to be thrown in a cell

Sounds like you should move to china, they might have a job in the government there for you

it's just crazy...how in the world can someone be AGAINST being forthright and truthful in All endevors

if that is your viewpoint how does anybody trust you?

beanathome? have you finished?...l am not going to reply in kind to you about the United States as l have been there and it is an absolutely Fabulous Country...obviously....you are quite ignorant about the Continent of Australia…we are quite right in defending ourselves Thank you very much..thats why we are known as Australasia…you are aware of what that means.. don’t you?..no?..then go learn stupid…you are rather offensive…in regard to third world countries ..if they are in trouble ..Australia is always there to help as we should be…in regard to the Indigenous People …otherwise known as The Aboriginals of Australia ...Who l might add are Highly and Deeply Respected…and also were Apologised to by a Nation…oh by the way..have You said sorry?...hmm no?...didn’t think so!…shame that!…We have!..for our fore fathers misgivings…guilt.. shame and apologized…perhaps you should try it…l am such a fan and advocate of the Late Dr King..are you?

Just what would be proved if he didn't make it to the front gate?

You need to check your logic about these things...or possibly a reality check might even be more appropriate. You seem to think that this is taking place in a back alley behind some snake-pit. Did you even really think about what you suggested before you posted it?

I am a Marine and I will stand with Spc Pvt Manning

Gary, quit slandering the U.S.M.C. and the marines who serve. Civilians like you can feel safe enough to talk that crap because of the professionalism of our marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who serve faithfully.

Who faithfully serve the government who represses the freedoms you say you are fighting for

You have no faith in our servicemen. A good Marine has this thing called discipline. Look it up in a dictionary some time.

Assange should die from lead poisoning.

And then you lose your job forever and spend the rest of your life on a beautiful island with Assange...Happy marriage!!!

Yep. The land of the free is like a big joke now. Hell, we've got 800,000 of our citizens sitting in jail just for getting high. I think Bradley did this country a big favor. We are drowning in our own bullsh*t.

Solitary confinement? The young man has a warm bunk, food to eat, books to read, and exercise and television every day. He pays no money for any of this. Sorry, bubba, but his life is already better than mine. In comparison to my life, he is on vacation.

The young man is not exactly in a sweat box. Somebody needs to get a sense of proportion here.

Taking away his clothing and glasses--because he was on "suicide watch"--was a problem. But, that's been taken care of. Beyond that, I know quite a few homeless people who would be really very happy to swap places with him. Can you find something else to harp on in this silly way?

I'm pretty sure sitting in a cell for 23 hours a day is your dream. You should try doing that for about 7 months.

greetings. if sitting in a cell for 23 hours a day and awoken ever little while by a marine guard, and U.S. marine guards are the most sadistic we have. why do you think they have him there in a Marine brig? he is Army, not U.S.M.C. i was thought there were Army, Navy and Marines. that none of them are the other. Personally i find it insulting when they call Marines Soldiers. only Army troops are soldiers. Marines are or were the worlds best assault troops. just an old Marines reasoning. Why torture him? What does he know that you feel torture could reveal. other then that his blood is the same color as yours and he can be tortured to death? But if you feel he is having it easy all you have to do is go to a Marine recruiter and enlist. go through basic and then refuse a order. any order including one to do something that is suicidal and you can be living his leisure life with your own cot and 24 hour lights and constant wake ups.

But don't you just love the smell of fear from high places?

...... im a big fan of Richard ...... im an American ...... and i always have wanted the truth, the whole truth , and nothing but...... the truth

Like I said above...truth will always be the first casualty.

Synther-2185059, why are you so adamant that both Manning and Assange be punished even if there is no ground to charge them?

Could you be the one who is actually responsible for the whole leak? Ask them to be punished and save your ass?

Nawawimohamad, you statement is quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard. That either one of them is guilty is no longer really in question. Manning *is* guilty and should be executed as a traitor and a spy. Assange is guilty for publicly displaying classified information. In any country on the planet, and serveral times in the past, this alone has guaranteed a death penalty. There is absolutely no reason that it should be any different now.

... Except for the fact that he's a reporter, as he got it from a source. Honestly did nobody in the comments section read the damn article?

Assange is not a reporter. And even if he was a reporter, he would still be guilty. Just because there is freedom of the press does not give a reporter the right to publish classified information that may put the lives of US soldiers at risk.

First Manning, as a US citizen who leaked classified info, should stand trial and because he is in the military, it should be a military tribunal, the punishment should be determined by the law. Assange is not a US citizen and did not commit the crime (as determined by the US law) in the US, he did not hack our networks, and technically, he could not break our law, for those reasons. Did he break a law in another nation? That nation would have to determin if so. Now, shame on any country who deceives another, it will always come back and bite. Deal with others with integrity and it will go well with you. What does the US do with this? Learn from it and let it not happen again. If the safety of any of us is at risk because of this, fix it. Anyone working for any of our Inteligence Services are always at risk, but if this has placed them at more risk, reassign them, hide them, that is done all of the time. To call for the death of someone is not always the best fix. I am glad that my death is not being called for, though I come from Adam and merit it and whether we like it or not all of us merit it, but there is a better way. His name is Jesus.

Synther-2185059, so you are the defence lawyer, the prosecuter, the judge, the jury, the bailiff, the jailer, the police and the executioner. Good, that is real American justice.

Oh, I forget one thing, you are also the CSI team.

nawawimbohamad, are you retarded or you did you just not read the article at all? They *KNOW* that Manning gave out classified information. It's not in dispute. Therefore, it is impossible to say that he's not guilty. He committed treason and espionage against the United States. The penalty for that crime is death. The only part that they don't have any proof of is that he handed the documents directly to Assange. That doesn't matter though, he STILL HANDED CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS TO SOMEONE. If you're to much of a retard to understand that, then maybe you should go off yourself in the hopes that you never ever breed.

Whether Manning passed the documents to Assange or to an "unidentified third person" is irrelevant. He's still guilty of passing classified documents to somebody that was not authorized to have them.

This is reasonable, everything after that looks like a nonsensical emotional reaction that you would be well advised to re-evaluate.

Violating the laws surrounding security clearance is a crime, but we still have due process in this country. Whatever penalty the courts decide and all of them are extremely bad, should be plenty adequate.

Assange isn't guilty of any crimes that I'm aware of. He's not an American, and he's not under any obligation to keep any of this secret at all. He gets to walk on this and anyone who says otherwise flatly doesn't understand the law.

Well said Chris...and even if Assange was guilty under Australian Law..which he is not... there would be no Death Penalty..we are a bit more civilised...found out it doesn't work..oh about 44 years or so ago...we now just lock them up and forget about them...much better solution...after all..Who are We to place ourselves in a position to say we can execute another?

Synther-2185059. You are not looking at the bigger picture.

• Who gave the authority for Manning to access such sensitive documents when apparently he is of the lowest rank in the army.
• How come the diplomatic cables got through the military and not direct to the CIA for that matter?
• Why is there such a need to condemn Manning without even knowing all the facts and information.
• You asked him to be put to death ,so eagerly why? The authorities must confirm that he acted alone and there is nobody behind him who could be held responsible, maybe some high profile politicians, general, who knows? Putting the blame entirely on him and as the whole process is going on, Manning could just be a scapegoat sitting on the tip of an iceberg. Kill him quick, save someone's ass.

NO PROOF...get it?

It is not a great big conspiracy just to screw you over personally, you know.

Proof? We don't need no stinking proof!! Get him against the wall and do it quick!!

I've been around a long time and thought I've seen or heard just about everything....but when I hear calls for execution and what not when someone gets some information that don't want to hear...it just leaves me shaking my head!

No proof he passed the material to Assange. Lots of proof he illegally extracted classified information and passed it to someone. Still a criminal in violation of laws concerning classified information. Get it?

speculator must be speculating.

....... well ..... lets stand our good ole ex vice pres Chaney against the wall for outing a CIA agent ........ huh johnny ????

this country is in a downward spiral because the majority of people have the intelligence of approximately one peanut, like yourself

Yes, Mishief9, we should put the ex vice-pres up against a wall for what he did. History has shown us several times that nobody is exempt from paying for the crime of treason.

Speculator, According to the Patriot Act all of us pacifists are terrorist and guilty of treason in America. Remember Bush if you are not with us you are against us terrorist guilty of treason. Democracy at work. I am ashamed of my public representitives that come out on there public forum and say they want Assange shot dead. I wish congress would spend as much time getting the economy going in the right direction and creating more than a couple of hundred thousand jobs when there are 18 million or more people unemployed. It is a total disgrace. I am totally ashamed to be an American. For Keith O. Good Night and Good Luck!

Richard that was Scary!...Australia is the biggest non NATO military contingent America has..sometime l wonder…Your Public Representitives get Scary with their Comments from Congress...no wonder NATO is nervous...

holders a dick

haaa snare x2 / cymbal