WikiLeaks cables: Bradley Manning's health is deteriorating in jail, supporters claim

[Joanne98]

As Julian Assange emerged from his nine-day imprisonment, there were renewed concerns about the physical and psychological health of Bradley Manning, the former US intelligence operative suspected of leaking the diplomatic cables at the centre of the storm.

Manning, who was arrested seven months ago, is being held at a military base in Virginia and faces a court martial and up to 52 years in prison for his alleged role in copying the cables.

His friends and supporters also claim they have been the target of extra-judicial harassment, intimidation and outright bribery by US government agents.

According to David House, a computer researcher from Boston who visits Manning twice a month, he is starting to deteriorate. "Over the last few weeks I have noticed a steady decline in his mental and physical wellbeing," he said. "His prolonged confinement in a solitary holding cell is unquestionably taking its toll on his intellect; his inability to exercise due to regulations has affected his physical appearance in a manner that suggests physical weakness."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/16/bradley-manning-health-deteriorating

[davepc]

1. 'intelligence operative' lol He was a PFC paper pusher whos job gave him access to the data

But I gets 'intelligence operative' sounds cooler then 'filing cabinet clerk'.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Am I supposed to feel bad for him?

Because I don't.

[rainy]

3. why not?

[DCKit]

6. Guilty until proven innocent, eh? nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. I'm sorry, is he denying that he leaked the material?

I haven't seen that at all.

[glinda]

9. Only a fool would listen to him at this point really

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. I'm asking seriously.

If he's professing innocence, I'll retract my statement - everyone deserves due process. That said, I was not under the impression that he was pleading not guilty.

[glinda]

13. It is sad but if he has been under isolation and drugging... I find it difficult to

even think that anything he would say would be 100% accurate. If he is a mess then how can they actually have a case?

[DCKit]

12. When was his press conference? I missed it.

We may never hear from Pfc Manning again.

Oh yeah, and that guy that killed himself mailed all the anthrax, too. And Saddam had WMDs.

[EmilyKent]

4. Punished before conviction.

Or even before charges as far as I know.

Democracy, not to mention the rule of law, slips another couple of notches.

[Arctic Dave]

5. And now you know why they do this to inmates.

It has nothing to do about safety, as some have oddly claimed.

[TomClash]

7. Psychological torture . . .

. . . so he implicates Assange. That's who they really want.

[glinda]

10. yup.

[elias49]

15. Nail on the head. nt

Kick

[Uncle Joe]

14. I'm not surprised, he's being tortured.

Thanks for the thread, Joanne.

[Sonoman]

16. Nine months in military solitary will do this to you. I have been there.

I've been there (for 'only' 39 days, thankfully).

All day long, sitting in one of those old-fashioned elementary school desks will mess you up, physically.

Sleeping on a cot which has had all of the springs cut loose from one another is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated.

The overhead light never goes off.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone except the entire boosh Administration.

Sonoman

[stray cat]

17. People I know who were jailed had a similar problem - jail is not usually real good for you

Even if you broke the law. My jailed friends sentences were not commuted because jail was hard on their health either nor were those awaiting trial in jail without bail