• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Bradley Manning Pleads Guilty

The Big Dog

Unregistered
The Big Dog
Joined
Jul 26, 2007
Messages
29,742
I see that Bradley Manning has pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 charges that he illegally acquired and transferred U.S. government secrets, and could get 20 years in prison for leaking classified material to WikiLeaks that described U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere

He pleaded not guilty to 12 more serious charges, including espionage for aiding the enemy, meaning that his criminal case will go forward at a general court-martial in June. Manning admitted that he leaked the video of a helicopter gun battle, State Department cables, an Army field manual and Army documents on Iraq and Afghanistan that detailed the military’s patrol reports there.

I understand that there is an extensive dispute going on now whether the prosecution can call one of the Navy Seals who killed Bin Laden, and discovered digital storage devices that contained printouts from wikileaks.
 
16.5 said:
I understand that there is an extensive dispute going on now whether the prosecution can call one of the Navy Seals who killed Bin Laden, and discovered digital storage devices that contained printouts from wikileaks.
Click to expand...

I doubt that Navy Seal will be subpoenaed. Manning plead guilty to the other charges, will probably do another eight years in the brig, be out after a total of about ten and will still be in his early 30s. This will go away fast.
 
BenBurch said:
Good.

I don't agree with the way the Marines confined him, but military justice is harsh and you accept that when you sign up.
Click to expand...

The confined him reference brings up an important fact that we should note very early on: On April 20, 2011, Manning was transferred to a new medium-security facility in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, "where he was placed in an 80-square-foot cell with a window and a normal mattress, able to mix with other pre-trial detainees and keep personal objects in his cell."

(My personal opinion is that the Brad confinement stories were exaggerated by agenda driven folks like Glenn Greenwald, particularly when compared with the conditions of the soldiers in Manning's former Division in the field)
 
In addition, Manning was suicidal before his arrest, a fact not known to the public at that time.
 
Never plead guilty! Rumpole's advice. Or as Jerri Blank said, "never admit the truth when there's still a chance someone will believe the lie".

But he doesn't seem to have been very bright in the first place.
 
16.5 said:
....
(My personal opinion is that the Brad confinement stories were exaggerated by agenda driven folks like Glenn Greenwald, particularly when compared with the conditions of the soldiers in Manning's former Division in the field)
Click to expand...
Based on what, (besides your political views)?
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
Based on what, (besides your political views)?
Click to expand...

That is wee bit presumptuous to suggest that my opinion is based on my "political views." It is also not solidly on topic.

(But to answer your question: during the time that Poor Brad was complaining about his pillow, et al, 19 members of the 10th Mountain Division were killed in combat. Poor Brad).
 
Or, better yet...

Why would you plead GUILTY to numerous accounts, while at the same time pleading NOT GUILTY (and assumably going to trial) to others? Doesn't sound like a real well-thought-out plea bargain agreement or whatever it's called. *Heading to check on this story now*

Still better than what he deserves, which is death, obviously.
 
16.5 said:
That is wee bit presumptuous to suggest that my opinion is based on my "political views." It is also not solidly on topic.

(But to answer your question: during the time that Poor Brad was complaining about his pillow, et al, 19 members of the 10th Mountain Division were killed in combat. Poor Brad).
Click to expand...
And you don't think that's a purely politically influenced reason?

Perhaps my definition of political is broader than yours.

Let me ask again, besides your 'gut reaction' what 'evidence' do you base it on?
 
mikedenk said:
Or, better yet...

Why would you plead GUILTY to numerous accounts, while at the same time pleading NOT GUILTY (and assumably going to trial) to others? Doesn't sound like a real well-thought-out plea bargain agreement or whatever it's called. *Heading to check on this story now*

Still better than what he deserves, which is death, obviously.
Click to expand...

Here is a pretty good link which mentions the strategy behind the plead, and also gives updates from the court room:

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/02/28/bradley-manning-pleads-guilty-to-some-offenses-updates/

It appears that Manning is being permitted to blather on about why he committed his crimes.

I hope someone asks him if he contemplated that the video would be misleadingly edited and named for "political purposes" by Julian Assange.
 
Last edited:
mikedenk said:
Or, better yet...

Why would you plead GUILTY to numerous accounts, while at the same time pleading NOT GUILTY (and assumably going to trial) to others? Doesn't sound like a real well-thought-out plea bargain agreement or whatever it's called. *Heading to check on this story now*

Still better than what he deserves, which is death, obviously.
Click to expand...
Maybe because one charge, he released the files, he admits to, and the other, what he did helped the enemy, he doesn't agree to.

It's hardly that complicated.

A lot of people don't agree that exposing government cover-ups is the act of a traitor. Some people believe it can be the act of a patriot. The difference is when the cover ups are directed toward keeping things secret from the US public rather than from the enemy.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
And you don't think that's a purely politically influenced reason?

Perhaps my definition of political is broader than yours.

Let me ask again, besides your 'gut reaction' what 'evidence' do you base it on?
Click to expand...

I'm sorry did I mention quite clearly that it was my own personal opinion? Yes, in fact I did. And no I don't think that the fact that Poor Brad was treated infinitely better than some of his comrades in Afghanistan is "political." Hell, I think rather than denying him his pillow, they should have given him equipment and assigned him to land mine removal in Afghanistan.

But I get it: I hereby stipulate that Skeptic Ginger thinks my personal opinion is wrong. Thumbs Up!
 
16.5 said:
I'm sorry did I mention quite clearly that it was my own personal opinion? Yes, in fact I did. And no I don't think that the fact that Poor Brad was treated infinitely better than some of his comrades in Afghanistan is "political." Hell, I think rather than denying him his pillow, they should have given him equipment and assigned him to land mine removal in Afghanistan.

But I get it: I hereby stipulate that Skeptic Ginger thinks my personal opinion is wrong. Thumbs Up!
Click to expand...
No evidence whatsoever then, check.
 
It's tough being from a family where if you don't win a Super Bowl they send you to prison.
 
Lots of guys wind up manning in prison, but more often from lack of options than from genuine interest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom