Galindez writes: "The government is attempting to discredit Manning, while the defense is portraying the Army as negligent for allowing him continued access to classified material after several emotional outbursts....whether or not Manning was emotionally stable only serves as a distraction from the real story.... We must not let Manning's personal flaws overshadow the results of his heroic action. The State Department cables he is accused of leaking were the spark for the Arab Spring, which has led to movements around the world for economic equality."
Bradley Manning is escorted from a military vehicle to the court facility at Fort Meade, Maryland, 12/21/11. (photo: Patrick Semansky/AP)
Bradley Manning: Troubled Young American Hero
22 December 11
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Reader Supported News | Perspective
here is no ignoring the fact that Bradley Manning is a troubled young man who needed help in the months leading up to his deployment, and during the time he was in Iraq. The government and the defense highlighted his outbursts during his Article 32 hearing. They also presented evidence that Manning had self-diagnosed himself as having a gender identity disorder.
The government is attempting to discredit Manning, while the defense is portraying the Army as negligent for allowing him continued access to classified material after several emotional outbursts. That is the kind of story the corporate media would like us to focus on. But, whether or not Manning was emotionally stable only serves as a distraction from the real story.
Did the US military commit atrocities in Iraq? Would Manning have been guilty of aiding in those atrocities if he had looked the other way? Is Bradley Manning a hero for exposing the abuses of our government and other countries?
We must not let Manning's personal flaws overshadow the results of his heroic action. The State Department cables he is accused of leaking were the spark for the Arab Spring, which has led to movements around the world for economic equality.
Manning's Article 32 hearings focused on the government's case. Historically, the defense only counters the evidence presented by the prosecution, and waits until trial to present its real defense. We should withhold judgment until we hear the true motivation for his actions.
The leaking of the "Collateral Damage" video had nothing to do with his sexual orientation. The leaking of the State Department cables had nothing to do with his mental stability. The real question is: Why didn't others blow the whistle on the crimes being committed in Iraq and other countries throughout the world?
Remember, when Nazis were tried for war crimes, following orders and honoring a security clearance were not valid defenses. Bradley Manning did the right thing; those who honored their clearances and remained silent are the real criminals.
I attended three days of Manning's Article 32 hearing, and not once did I hear anything about the criminal activities that Manning shed light on. Let us hope that if this case goes to a court martial we hear more about Manning's true motives and less about his emotional problems, problems that need treatment - not ridicule.
Bradley Manning is a hero, a hero with flaws. Like every other hero, he is only human.
Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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By the way, wikipedia says, "Boiga is a large genus of mildly venomous, rear-fanged, colubrid snakes typically known as the cat-eyed snakes or just cat snakes. They are primarily found throughout southeast Asia, India and Australia, but due to their extremely hardy nature and adaptability have spread to many other suitable habitats around the world."
I didn't immediately get the reference, even though used Wimpy in my analogy.
I agree with most of what you said.
I do not agree that it takes all the money to get elected. Statistics heavily correlate with money and winning, but that would not be the case without vertical integration (consolidation) of the media -- thanks to Clinton's Tele-communicat ions Act of 1996 -- and other election-relate d issues; you mentioned Diebold; and another is Dem Party's hierarchical politics and corporate affiliation, which besides dispensing money to their preferred candidates -- regardless of non-progressive ideology -- includes (poor) strategy and consultant advise.
The answer, of course, is Primary Elections... getting rid of incumbents.
If Obama has a shred of decency, he'll bow out before the Democratic Primaries, which should help non-incumbent Congressional Democrats and turnout for the General Election.
The light shining is on the question... the question of fairness and equality -- in regard to prosecution rules of law and adoption of fair laws that represent the peoples' interest, accountability for greed-driven economic crimes and environmental devastation, and honest, clear -- no excuses -- political representation. .. ... ... in essence, sanity.
And the question for the light is WHEN.
... and how much? ... for the balance and peace of mind of justice.
The OccupyWallStree t movement has the potential of shaking the whole system up and making it perfectly clear that it isn't just change that is needed, but the application of the laws and justice that keep things equitable for all.
more later.
While businesses and businessmen and women do have basic civic and societal responsibilitie s related to their doing business, as long as they follow the law, how they serve society with their profits is their business.
People aren't interested in being punitive, for the sake of punishment pleasure or to introduce pure socialism, it is to bring justice to those who took a chance on criminal greed.
In regard to short-selling, if you are talking about curbing insider-trading or taking away advantages that large-scale traders have over regular traders, that is fine; insider trading is all ready illegal and there are no good reasons to disadvantage smaller traders.
Since only the Progressive-Dem ocrats and Democratic-Soci alist Bernie Sanders (& maybe Ron Paul) are not corrupted by Wall Street, they are the only elected federal officials not being protested against.
And because he was so effective, they just go la-la-la when he talks. We just have to hope that the mainstream corporate Clintonian Democrats, in office, out of office, and just plain folk will understand what is going on.
They didnot advise him or oppose his signature on NAFTA which benefited GOP and the Clinton Family also.
There is very little left of Democratic Party, and a shadow of Republican Party.
The only thing I see are the Puppet Masters, these tyrants were given free reign in the early 70's, now they are the Monsters we were all warned about.
Problem is our parents didnot recognize them any better than people today.
We are Marching, Protesting, signing Petitions and I believe this is just a beginning. If Democrats want to prove something, perhaps they better realign Homeland Paranoia. When they put the demons back in their place, perhaps the Corporations will see that we will either win or bury them.
When I say bury, I mean we will put our money in other Countries that do not depend on them. So Europe, perhaps this is a time to look at the Future of America,new generation of Investing.
Wall Street is hollow like an Chocolate Easter Bunny,they have nothing. They have debt, property no one pays for or can afford. Housing is down, Corporations are selling out to Asia, Middle East so Europe where does that leave you? Time we remind GOP the True Meaning of Tea Party "Let's sink their Ship'. Buy Organic. Buy American.
Critics say they are not focused, how can a movement like this be focused on one specific thing when the problems to fix are so numerous. Wall Street is a perfect place to start.
Tonight they can sleep tight. There are some very brave and incredibly bright protestors here and running things very Democratically.
Interesting to see how they've had to form a mini government within. See, we do need a government, it just has represent the people.
At this point the movement is progressive and inclusive.