The way she is being treated is so fucked up, as much as I like Obama it really sours my view on his administration.
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Chelsea Manning Begins Hunger Strike to Protest Bullying by Prison and US Government
- Thread starter chadskin
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The way she is being treated is so fucked up, as much as I like Obama it really sours my view on his administration.
The Hamburglar
Banned
what would have been a fair amount of years in prison for the data dump? Because it was quite obvious the US gov was more bothered that the files embarrassed them than anything.
such as insulting foreign leaders, politicians etc AND the total disregard the US military had for civilian life in iraq, ie firing missiles into building when they know civilians are there and randomly shooting civilians because brown people.
such as insulting foreign leaders, politicians etc AND the total disregard the US military had for civilian life in iraq, ie firing missiles into building when they know civilians are there and randomly shooting civilians because brown people.
Vigilant Walrus
Member
It was an act of grotesque evil. Regardless of what legit damage Manning had created, is undermined by the levity of the cover up. This was not a casualties of war situation, but aggressive and utter slaughter of civilians. Which they tried to cover up and were not going to release- At least not for decades.
Manning has received the punishment she has to make an example of other whistleblowers not to undermine the militarys war crimes. It ignores that whistleblowers serve a function to checkmat institutions when they become corrupt or the make mistake that they try to cover up fearing backlash that is deserved and need to be put forth to give clarity, justice and truth to victims.
And Mannings release of that footage was massively important. Had she not, this would have been dismissed by collectively everyone as baseless conspiracy nonsense befitted for right wing media and the likes of Alex Jones. Nobody would ever want to entertain the accusations as it would be lost in the shuffle with conspiracies about New World Order and Chemtrails.
The only logical conclusion I can think is that, to say Manning is guilty, is to say that the secrets exposed- as in the war crimes are justified. But that to me is an insane and inhumane viewpoint to take. One that is submerged in handwaved fallacies like "its too bad, but this is what happens in war" and "she should have gone up the chain of command". It ignores the obvious fact that clearly higher ups were keeping this under the lid, and that it was known even at the time of the slaughter, that the individuals were of no threat.
In earlier Manning threads here on GAF, I've been puzzled by the amount of people who ring up and support the treatment of manning. It seems to be primarily a Obama/Clinton defense force that doesn't want to grapple with the fact that those two are horrifically wrong on their stance on Manning (and Snowden). The chilling thing about it is that it speaks volume to how Hillary and Obama values the life of non-Americans versus how they view the righteous actions of the US, superseeding stopping corrupt/evil/incompetent military personel in complete disregard for human life.
Granted, it is one of a few truly dark stains on Obama and Clintons policies, but it is a total disastrous one. It shows sign of a napoleon style complex thinking that the government as a institution is infalliable and shouldn't be tested and hold accountable for fuckery.
It absolutely needs to be afraid and wanting to do the right thing, not violating international law or creating massacres. But it doesn't with sentences and treatment like for manning.
And the worst part of this is that we've seen this before. Ridicule and PR propaganda against people who spoke out against the atrocities happening in vietnam and later Indochina was severely attacked by a gung-ho pro military attitude. Everyone talks about how manning created so much damage. Where is the evidence? What damage did she create other than highlighting exactly why the failed state populations still cannot count on the US to have their best interests at heart?
Iraq invasion in 2003 was a unique war in that it was heavily televised. It was made a big deal out of that the war would be transparent to try and cull off the skepticism about potential cover ups following mistakes, bad intel and casualties of war. The footage manning released undermined this, and you'd have to conclude that the world had a right to see these atrocities and hear about them. Now- not 40 years from now, when nobody will be hold accountable, like Obamas apology to the victims of secret war in Laos all those years ago.
We expect more of the United States and we want them to do better. Only with outrage, domestic and international pressure will the military change tactic. Manning (like Snowden) is a hero, and should not serve prison sentence, and certainly not under the conditions of which has happened.
Nobody has written a convincing case for the treatment of manning from what I've seen. It's based on perception and chalking up these killings as normal casualties of war. But it isn't. Because we know of how the US justifies what it thinks is an "appropriate target" and this policy has completely altered how it tallys the death of civilian and terrorist fighters.
Looks like there is some good news. Hunger strike ends as word is given that she'll receive gender reassignment surgery. Didn't see a new thread.
Princess Carl
Member
That's great to hear.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Wow didnt expect that outcome at all.
How About No
Member
Well finally yay
Monocle
Member
Wow, that's a welcome surprise.
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