Army Releases Photo of Wikileaker Bradley Manning in Wig and Makeup (Corrected)

[MADem]

127. FOIA....the Freedom of Information Act.

It's an exhibit, it's not classified, and Manning's gender identity issues are no secret.

If someone FOIA'd that and got two pages of redacted black blocks, with the information blotted out, this place would be pitching a shitfit. "Manning is being SILENCED!!!! What is the MILITARY HIDING???? Government CONCEALS key evidence from public!!!!!!" I can hear it now....!

I find the photo and letter very humanizing. I think, as an exhibit, it was a good move on the part of the defense, even though they had no role in giving it wider audience.

At the end of the day, the person who will look at that exhibit, and react to it, or not, is the judge. I should think she'd have to be pretty cold hearted to read that letter and look at that picture and not perceive a young person in extreme distress. If she takes those perceptions and applies them to her sentencing decision-making process, that exhibit could shave a few years off the total time in the brig the kid has to do.