I think that pretty much covers it, Ardy. I must admit though that it has been entertaining watching folks here substitute illogical, ideologically and politically motivated emotionalism for argument. The moment he turned the documents over (doing so without knowing what the bulk of them contained) to others who were not cleared to see the information in them, he made them "public". The rationalization that he was somehow being responsible in giving classified documents to organizations such as newspapers and other NGOs for review prior to further dissemination is beyond ludicrous and simply politically motivated excuse-making.
Those who wish to make a case against the US government or America in general, can do so without attempting to excuse this sad sack's actions or to elevate him to the level of selfless patriot and left-dressed saint. Funny stuff.
Yours,
Issodhos
From what tailpipe did you crawl out?
For someone who so ardently defends individual rights, it seems you have joined the ranks of the flag wavers.
Disappointing, Iss
IN fact, it's not that much about individual rights. Rather, it is about exposing criminal activity during an undeclared war upon another sovereign nation.
The issue of rights has only to do with the manner in which Manning has been kept in confinement while awaiting charges (more than nine months), and in awaiting the preliminary hearings prior to trial.
Taken together, these issues have been conflated, but are merely traveling along together in the same case.
Considering similar cases, such as the Pentagon Papers case, there are times when the best thing a patriot can do is expose wrong and hope that once revealed, the cause of the wrong will be removed from risk of repetition. Daniel Ellsburg was also subject to much hatred and opprobrium for his actions, but was eventually vindicated.
We are left with hoping the proceedings will be conducted with reasonableness, and that where there are errors on the part of the military, the government or elsewhere, they will be addressed with cool heads and that justice will be administered fairly for all.
