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Bradley Manning Charged With Aiding the Enemy
Hugh Pickens writes writes "The Washington Post reports that the army has brought twenty-two new charges — including the Article 104 offence of 'aiding the enemy' that carries a potential death sentence — against Pfc. Bradley E. Manning, a former intelligence analyst accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents to the anti-secrecy Web site WikiLeaks. The new charges, filed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, include wrongfully causing intelligence to be published on the Internet, knowing that it will be accessed by the enemy, that US officials have asserted could put soldiers and civilians at risk. However the prosecution has notified Manning's attorneys that it will not recommend the death penalty and the charge sheet, like the original set of accusations, contains no mention by name of the enemy to which the US military is referring. Manning's supporters reacted to the new charges with dismay. 'I'm shocked that the military opted to charge Pfc. Bradley Manning today with the capital offense of 'aiding the enemy,' says Jeff Paterson, project director of Courage to Resist, which has raised money for Manning's defense. 'It's beyond ironic that leaked US State Department cables have contributed to revolution and revolt in the Middle East, yet an American may be executed, or at best face life in prison, for being the primary whistleblower.'"
Manning sold out his own country for nothing more than self-satisfaction. I'm glad to see him getting charged with aiding the enemy.
I hope he gets the death penalty.
Just as in the previous two Bush administration (this being the third Bush administration currently), the "enemy" is whoever is not "with us". Anyone who did not aid in invading Afghanistan or Iraq can be counted as an "enemy". Anyone who doesn't view tax breaks for the rich as the pathway to economic salvation is an "enemy". Anyone who uses a god-forsaken and wholly Un-American "socialized" single-payer health care system can be an "enemy".
Sure, Manning aided someone from at least one of those categories.
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
The enemy is the same in this third Bush Administration as it was during the previous two. The enemy, of course, is anyone who the administration doesn't like, or anyone who doesn't like them.
Opposed to invading Iraq / Afghanistan? You're an enemy
Opposed to tax cuts for the rich? You're an enemy
Support single-payer health care? You're an enemy
That pretty well covers everyone who doesn't live in the US - and at least half of the people who do.
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
While I applaud the new charges I am dismayed that they opted not to have him executed. If we get lucky we can expect that someone inside the prison will execute him for us after a long and thorough introduction to PMITA prison life. Pfft ... justice is strange though. He deserves a painful existence with a swift but equally painful execution but will likely be put up in some supermax solitary confinement, safe, sound and forgotten.
Hopefully they can get a hold of the wikleakers and have them charged too.
Hurricane Island Outward Bound
OB
2) disagreeing with a law morally entitles somebody to break it.
That is ridiculous. Ever read "Civil Disobedience"? Few would argue the American revolution wasnt a moral case of breaking laws, or that the civil rights movement wasnt a moral case of breaking the laws. I can think of several laws off the top of my head that should be broken regularly if it suites a person. Marijuana use, prostitution, and buying alcohol on Sundays.
If I don't think that rape is immoral, can I have a turn with the Mrs? Maybe we could go family style on her. If it makes you feel better, we can call it "Civil Disobedience".
Wow your nick is so fitting.