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In reply to the discussion: Julian Assange bids to sue Julia Gillard for defamation over WikiLeaks comments [View all]LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)I'm sure Bradley's lawyers are using whatever ammunition they can to get their client off. And the government (that you feel you must protect) has been using "extraordinary methods" on him in captivity.
It may even be that the prosecution has met with the defense and told them the best way to go would be a mental health defense. That to retain his stance of doing the right thing when he saw war crimes just wouldn't be allowed in a court. The government will keep him in a cell for years more if they have to in order to break him. It may have been floated that if he just sticks with the mental health angle, it would go down better.
I'm sure the gov wants this to all to go away as soon as possible as well. If they could sentence Manning to some reduced sentence based on a mental health defense, they would prevent Manning being a martyr, and also deflect the story to one where the MSM could say...OH...he was mentally deranged...that's why he did such a thing....it wasn't to expose crimes at all! (as if one excluded the other) And they will get away with once again NOT focusing on the crimes involved (as you seem hell bent on doing as well)
Also then they will be able to portray Wikileaks and Assange as someone who took advantage of a poor unstable young man.
THAT is the true crime right? Not shelling unarmed journalists and civilians. Not and other corruption in high places. Its the damn messenger!