Pfc Bradley Manning Must Be Pilloried to Maintain the USofA’s Authoritarian Rule

[loose wheel]

17. What was Manning, then?

He was granted a position of trust, at least twice. When he went through basic training, his rights and responisbilities if he witnessed and illegal act were explained to him. When he was granted his clearance he was told what it meant if he knowingly divulged any classified information. When he was granted access to the SIPRNET he was warned against going anywhere he didn't have any business, agreed to be monitored at all times, and again agreed not to release any information.

He insisted he was right, and that everyone else around him was wrong. He didn't bother reviewing more than a tiny amount of the total information he gathered. He was not in a position to evaluate much of that data to know what may cause harm and what would not. He did not seek out legal counsel from the IG office. He did not approach a congressman with his information.

Ultimately, he released the information before considering fully the consequences of his actions, but he knew he was violating his agreements. Even if he felt he was doing the right thing he knew he was going to jail for the rest of his life if he followed through on the data dump.

It is said that the last refuge of a scoundrel is patriotism. Here stands a man (PFC Manning) that violated his oath and broke his agreements. Here stands a man (PFC Manning) who has done irrepairable harm to his country, because he was angry at his boss. When he realized just how cooked his goose was, he made several excuses dressed in a patriotic ribbon for his actions that would sound good to some people. He is a man whose words ring hollow, a scoundrel of the first sort.