Army Orders Court-Martial for Bradley Manning in WikiLeaks case
- Posted on February 4, 2012 at 4:25pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(AP) — An Army officer has ordered a court-martial for a low-ranking intelligence analyst charged in the biggest leak of classified information in U.S. history.
Military District of Washington commander Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington on Friday referred all charges against Pfc. Bradley Manning to a general court-martial, the Army said in a statement.
The referral means Manning will stand trial for allegedly giving more than 700,000 secret U.S. documents and classified combat video to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks for publication.
The 24-year-old Crescent, Okla., native faces 22 counts, including aiding the enemy. Manning could be imprisoned for life if convicted of that charge.
A judge yet to be appointed will set the trial date.
Defense lawyers say Manning was clearly a troubled young soldier whom the Army should never have deployed to Iraq or given access to classified material while he was stationed there from late 2009 to mid-2010.
At a preliminary hearing in December, military prosecutors produced evidence that Manning downloaded and electronically transferred to WikiLeaks nearly half a million sensitive battlefield reports from Iraq and Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables, and video of a deadly 2007 Army helicopter attack that WikiLeaks shared with the world and dubbed “Collateral Murder.”
Manning‘s lawyers countered that others had access to Manning’s workplace computers. They say he was in emotional turmoil, partly because he was a gay soldier at a time when homosexuals were barred from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces. The defense also claims Manning’s apparent disregard for security rules during stateside training and his increasingly violent outbursts after deployment were red flags that should have prevented him from having access to classified material. Manning’s lawyers also contend that the material WikiLeaks published did little or no harm to national security.
In the December hearing at Fort Meade, Md., prosecutors also presented excerpts of online chats found on Manning’s personal computer that allegedly document collaboration between him and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Federal prosecutors in northern Virginia are investigating Assange and others for allegedly facilitating the disclosures.
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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 1:53pmIt is amazing how long it took to decide that this PFC should be tried at a General Courts-Martial. My time in Military Intelligence was during Viet Nam. A release of classified material of this magnitude would have resulted in a speeding courts-martial and a life sentence at Leavenworth. I still think the Army made a mistake doing away with the Counterintelligence Corps. One of our jobs was to identify POS’s like this.
Report Post »AARON BURR
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 12:43pmWhile this young man did apparently disseminate sensitive material, why are we not calling for the head of the person responsible for cyber security that allowed a young disgruntled PFC access to this material? I think they should both be courtmartialed.
Report Post »schlepnier
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:00pmI hope they put him under the prison………
. not only were his actions a threat to national security wiki leaks named names and put peoples lives in danger: US, our frineds, allies and informants.
The old saying in WWII was “loose lips sink ships” there is a reason for operational security and his legal teams attempt to excuse his bad behavior is pathetic.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:41pmWhat a waste of time…
Report Post »lvjohn
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:11amThe bastard needs to be executed for treason, he is nothing but a spy, kill him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »soundtracktowar
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:57pmDude imwith you, but if we actually prosecuted for treason Jane Fonda and every lib would be in prison.
Report Post »RedPepper2
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:08amThe Army has evidently changed since I was in. Then a Private First Class was in charge of digging the latrine. I would suggest the change of command was ineffective and out of touch with the real world. This PFC should be disciplined with a bad discharge and sent on his way.
Report Post »jasmer
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 7:54amNot really. What’s changed is the level of expectation. PFC Manning wasn’t being asked to do anything beyond his capabilities, nor was he doing anything particularly more remarkable than other SIGINT types. Rather, he is a despicable traitor because he gathered data he was not supposed to in order to betray the U.S.; he went out of his way to commit treason in wartime.
Trying to claim that being queer and unhappy are somehow grounds supporting his treason as the Army’s fault – nonsensical.
The Obama administration may be trying to claim that his actions didn’t hurt any Americans, but the damage he caused will never be repaired. It’s not a matter of measuring how much damage he caused as some sort of equivalency; it’s that he consciously committed treason during wartime. He deserves a firing squad, plain & simple.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:02amGood, sentence him to twenty years at Leavenworth breaking rocks. Make it a pay per view reality show.
Report Post »Obama Hang-over
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:27amWe need to bring back public hangings for this P.O.S. This is a case of TREASON in a time of WAR. The death penalty applies!!!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:23am.
Report Post »Jeez, why is this even news?
This guy should have faced a firing squad long ago.
Treason is still treason even if you’re gay.
DividedWeFail
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:58amEric Holder’s release of military grade weapons got a border patrol agent killed and over 200 Mexican nationals killed also.
Manning’s release of papers killed no one.
Why isn’t Holder in prison beside Manning?
Report Post »angeleyes63
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:56amBecause that pos holder is the one running the show. As far as that waste of life Manning he took an oath and violated it so he should face capitol punishment because it happened during a time of war.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:04amI agree that Holder is an assclown who needs to be tried post-Obama. Obama will do nothing or pardon him so I would like to see the trial start on January 23, 2013. That does not lessen the severity of the acts of this other traitor.
Report Post »DividedWeFail
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:55amThe guy’s a patriot. Give him a medal.
Report Post »Deepdiver58
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 8:26amCan you define your use of Patriot in this instance? He swore an oath and he broke that oath: he put many lives in danger; he lied; he broke numerous laws, rule, regulations, policies, et al; he is a discrace to the uniform and the country… I suppose he would be a Patriot for some people – like you.
Report Post »football lady
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:49pmTreason, plain and simple.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:03pmPlease, don’t feed the trolls….
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:03amWhat are they waiting for? Throw him in Levenworth and loose the key.
Report Post »waspanglosaxon
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:37amNothing makes ZOG madder than whenever someone reveals the ongoing crimes that they are committing.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:25amI see a pardon in Manning’s future.
Report Post »JEANNIEMAC
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 11:18pmManning is getting court martialed for leaking information. Nidal Hasan, an army psychiatrist, killed thirteen soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009. When, if ever, is his court martial going to be?, Could the fact that Hasan is a Muslim have anything to do with the story fading from the news? The man in the Oval Office, whose friends control the media, are making sure the story stays buried.
Report Post »maccow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:35amHaving seen the Army’s judicial system work first hand, I am not surprised that this case will come to trial before the Major Hassan case. Hassan will certainly be tried under a General Court Martial while Manning may only be a Special Court Martial, though maybe General. It did occur in a combat theater during a time of war so under a General Court Martial the penalties are very serious.
I don‘t believe politicians have very much influence on the Army’s Judicial process. In the Manning case I am sure his parents have found a sympathetic Liberal Congress person to “Look Into” the fairness of the process. Not thinking any politician is going to stick their necks out in the Hassan case.
Report Post »warrior21
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:07amMacCow, maybe you don‘t believe anyone has influence on the Army’s Judicial system – “I don‘t believe politicians have very much influence on the Army’s Judicial process.”- however looking at the Nidal Hasan case it appears that someone certainly does. How long does it take our Commander-in-Chief to figure out this guy is a murderer? I for one believe that the Army non-combative leaders -Army Chief of Staff and his suck-ups- are purposely holding up the process.
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 10:57pmWhy the hell did it take so long ???
Report Post »kcinco
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:49pmI work in a secure environment. If I leaked anything, visited the wrong website, etc., I’d be fired and never allowed back in the environment. This kid is a bad seed, he violated the terms of his employment, he should suffer the severest consequence, just like the rest of us.
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:42pmHe deserves the sentence of a traitor, because that’s what he is.
Report Post »maccow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:38amThe Military doesn’t usually just fire employees for gross violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice especially when the violation can be considered treasonous during a time of war. That’s one of many good things that separate Military Organizations from corporations.
Report Post »southernORcobra
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:55pmshould not get life in prison should get a blind fold and a cigarette
Report Post »LoneRanger
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:54pmBradlley Mannis in is the poster child of why not to allow “gays” to serve openly in the military.
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 10:57pmDude, that’s complete nonsense. That connection has absolutely no logical basis.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:47am@ Doctor Nordo
Report Post »Again, I note that your eagerness to slam fellow Blaze posters is not casting you in a very good light. Here is some “logical basis” for Loneranger’s statement:
(1) Bradley Manning is a homosexual (or “gay” as the word has been usurped to refer to 2-3% of the population);
(2) Homosexuals are disproportionately troubled individuals — Manning is a “poster child” for this fact (I assume — at my hazzard, of course — that you understand the meaning of the term “poster child”);
(3) This troubled “gay” man (Bradley Manning) was enlisted in the military at a time when the liberal “Don‘t Ask Don’t Tell” was not yet replaced by the hyper-liberal Obama policy;
(4) Even under the less liberal “DADT” policy, Manning was not placed under such restrictions to classified information as would have been in effect in the 1970‘s or the 1980’s;
(5) The access to classified information permitted to Manning resulted in a serious breach in security that has been problematic to even our left wing president and left wing senators like John Kerry; and
(6) Under the current hyper-liberal policy on “gays” in the military, Americans can expect the increase in latitude given to these often-troubled individuals to result in further problems wrought upon our military and out nation.
warrior21
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:21amChuck Stein; I would say that part of the problem is the volunteer Army. I feel that all standards throughout the Army were lowered in order to enlist an all-volunteer Army. It is my opinion that regardless of what our leaders tell us… today’s Army is not better then Army we had during the Vietnam war. That Army consisted of both volunteers and draftees. I had the honor of serving with a lot of draftees during the Korean War, and although we had none in Special Forces during Vietnam, those I knew during that time were some of the best soldiers I ever served with. Manning is a result of the low standards and poor leadership at the highest levels of the Army.
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:51pmDoes the military still shoot/ hang people who do things like this? maybe they should!
Report Post »olddog
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:50pmSold out his country for a gay romp..Is life in prison enough?
Report Post »kschmud
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:37pmWhat took so long?
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 4:57pmIt had to be done.
But without him doing what he did, we’d never have caught a glimpse at how truly reprehensible we are…how truly invasive we are in other countries…how we lie through our teeth…how we pamper and coddle those who are clearly our enemy.
But much like Christopher Boyce who also provided a glimpse into our lack of honor…he must pay the price.
I can’t praise him or defend him, because I don’t believe he had full knowledge of what he leaked…and therefore had no idea if he would cause the death of his fellow soldiers.
Report Post »ltcwilly
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:09pmIn the immortal words of Archie Bunker, “You are a meathead.”
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:33pmNo, I’m a realist that knows the faults of my country, won’t cover them up or sugarcoat them…but still loves the “ideal” that my country represents and will hopefully achieve one day.
Report Post »maccow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:45amWhy did you need this kid and wikileaks to trash and or validate your opinions about this country? All you had to do is tune into MSNBC, NBC, CNN, PBS, NYT, Time, etc. But then judging by your rant, you already do tune into these outlets.
Report Post »Which has done more damage to our nations reputation abroad, these wiki leaks or the Commander and Chief?
MCDAVE
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:20am@maccow I vote commander and chief…So when do we get to court marshal him
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:03am1)Rather than fighting to fix our country, we did the same as so-called“wetbacks” do…we stole across water and into another land to fullfill our hopes and dreams. Oh, wait a minute…I left out the part where we lied through our teeth to our king, borrowing from him the ships/supplies/money to make the “swim” and then –when we found it was so great here– we pulled down our pants and said “kiss it.” Oh, I also left out the part where we tricked/lied/stole every square inch of land from its owners…and when that did not work out 100%…we slaughtered them.
2) Our great nation then thought hey…since we slaughtered one country’s inhabitants…why not enslave another country’s people to do all the work so we can get rich off of their backs.
3) Then –since that was working so well– several nations decided “Hey, we loved it so much the first time…let’s do it again” and tried to do to the US what we did to the King. Too bad we were right next door and did not have to sail a sea to say “Oh, no you don’t!” But, hurrah for us, after countless lives lost, we managed to do what the King was not able to.
4) Then we noticed our grand and glorious country might be taken from us the same way we got it…and since we did not have enough people to defend it, we started the whole “Give us your poor…” BS.
Report Post »maccow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:54pm@The Almighty
Don’t tell me, let me guess. You are either a public high school or university history teacher? Am I Right?????
Zero understanding of historic context and probably less understanding of your current world.
Report Post »Your response lacked any semblance of rational thought and we are all of us dumber who had the misfortune of reading it.
maccow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:57pmI broke my own rule of not allowing my responses to be about the person.
But your post was worth it.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 4:53pmmisguided fool wasted his life.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:44pmGEONJ, Isn’t that the truth. He deserves life in prison. They were most likely afraid to boot him out for fear of being considered racist against the gay supporters. There is so much hate for anyone that opposes the gay military regulations imposed on our military.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 4:40pmThis will really tick off Ron Paul who called Pvt. Manning (the traitor) a “Patriot.”
Ron Paul as usual aligns himself with some of the BIGGEST pieces of shi, er, crap this country has… like Manning. Paul sides with the treasonous Rosenberg‘s son and Michael Moore to name just a few of Manning’s supporters.
Ron Paul is a piece of… work.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 5:59pmYeah, yeah, yeah RISE… everyone else is a heaping pile compared to your heaping pile traitor loving Ron Paul.
In contrast to Paul’s support for WikiLeaks, Assange, and Manning, whom Paul called a “hero” and “patriot,” both Democrats and Republicans have called for Assange to be prosecuted. More than a year ago, on December 2, 2010, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Christopher (Kit) Bond (R-Mo.), vice chairman of the committee, sent a letter to Attorney General Holder requesting prosecution of Assange. They said the unauthorized release was “a serious breach of national security and could be used to severely harm the United States and its worldwide interests.”
Ron Paul is to use your words… “a heaping pile.”
barber2
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:05pmHis supporters who comment here sure sound like arrogant, angry, social misfits. They sound just like the Anonymous / Manning Crowd. Hate authority . Want “revolution” which is just an excuse for the chaos which attracts them. Always ready to poke their finger in the eyes of any form of authority.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:11pmTa-daaa. here i am. There is no problem here. He violated military code and he will be punished according to the military code. However, our government should know that secrets are getting harder and harder to keep. So it better thing twice before doing shady things. The dark CIA days are over – sunshine is the best disinfectant.
Your hatred of ron paul blinds you
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:31pmBARBER2. Talking about anonymous. ”
The amorphous internet collective known as “Anonymous” announced the other day that they have successfully attacked and overtaken the websites of American white supremacists American Third Position (A3P); in doing so, they have also, they say, uncovered evidence of close links between A3P and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.
In a statement on pirasec.com, Anonymous wrote:
Fellow anons: we are pleased to bring you the dismantling of a major US-based white supremacist network known as the “American Third Position”(A3P). These racist losers have chapters across the US, operate several white power websites, forums and online stores, and are even running a candidate in the 2012 elections…
In addition to finding the usual racist rants and interactions with other white power groups, we also found a disturbingly high amount of members who are also involved in campaigning for Ron Paul.
According to these messages, Ron Paul has regularly met with many A3P members, even engaging in conference calls with their board of directors.
And then there are a couple videos on YouTube where Anoymous posted videos and [supports] Ron Paul too.
Guy Fawkes mask wearing Anonymous must have a bunch of different flavors… just like Ron Paul’s supporters. But in the end… they’re all the same. Internet knuckleheads with too much time on their hands I guess.
Report Post »M13
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:33pmNo what blinds me are all of those tin foil hats the Paulbots wear. Have a nice day.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:37pmSOYBEAN. Your shady Ron Paul sure knows shady. He aligns himself with the shadiest of shady. Shall we call him the new ‘real slim shady’ or just a shady supporter of shadies?
‘Cause I’m Slim Shady, yes I’m the real Shady
Report Post »All you other Slim Shadys are just imitating
So won’t the real Slim Shady please stand up,
please stand up, please stand up?
soybomb315
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:02pmI am not an idealogue. If it is proven to be true – i would no longer support ron paul. Surely there are media outlets investigating this. I know glenn beck would be all over this and would put it on the top of theblaze.
Ron Paul wants to get rid of the unconstitutional bloodsucking leeches that are in our government and keeping the status quo. Of course, when you want to expose the cancers in the government – some of the unsavory types will join your cause. At the end of the day, this ron paul business is not so much about him. it is about the ideas of liberty and constitution. Its an idea – a state of mind – it is like ‘the force’. When/if ron paul ends his campaign, many more will take his place – and they will probably do a better job. You know the star wars story – ‘the force’ cannot be destroyed and eventually beats the empire
your hatred of ron paul blinds you (that too is a star wars reference)
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:19pmOkay SOYBOMB. As far as your Star Wars reference goes, here’s mine. The various collective of Ron Paul supporters remind me of the alien bar “Chalmun’s Cantina” (often called the Mos Eisley Cantina, the Star Wars Cantina) located in the “pirate city” of Mos Eisley on the planet Tatooine. It is the haunt of freight pilots and other dangerous characters of various alien races and contains booths, a bar counter, and some free-standing tables, and sometimes a band of musicians named Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes. Ha!
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:26pmThat analogy doesnt work. Dont you know all ron paul supporters are racist? racism includes other alien races
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:55pmSOYBOMB. I think the analogy works just fine. When it comes to racism, bigotry and anti-semitism… Ron Paul supporters are second to none. As far as aliens go? Ron Paul seems to favor Dennis Kucinich… so other-wordly aliens seem to be right up his ally.
And let’s not even talk about illegal aliens and Ron Paul. His book “Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues that Affect Our Freedom.” In the chapter on immigration, Paul begins by describing the “ideal libertarian world,” wherein “borders would be blurred and open.”
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:43pmDennis is indeed some other life form. However, you must understand that not all democrats are evil. In fact, democrats can agree with republicans on some issues. For instance, many democrat leaders do not like the federal government spying on americans and violating civil liberty. There is nothing wrong working with people on issues that you are in agreement with. Americans want washington to get these things done. This is also why ron paul does so well with independents. Don’t be suprised if you see some democrat candidates in 2016 calling for balanced budgets and ending federal reserve. that is a good thing
Have you ever seen a ron paul event? It is the most widely diverse crowd ever. Looking at these people – you would never think they have anything in common. There is usually a young college kid – standing next to a 300 lb trucker – standing next to someone from india – standing next to a grandma. You cannot take the words of a couple people and apply them to everyone – that is an unfair statement and you know it
Regarding your illegal alien comment. I have been meaning to buy that book so i dont know the quote. You should provide the rest of the quote. In an ideal world, yes – there would be no borders because there wouldnt be a problem with people freely moving around. Ron Paul knows we are not an ideal world and he is not a true libertarian – that was an unfair statement and you know it. If you watch debates, ron paul wants the illegal immagration stop
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on February 4, 2012 at 4:35pmCourt marshall????? In George Washington’s time they were either shot or hung.. Now the taxpayer could feed and house this traitor for life.. I think I like George Washington way of taking care of treasoners!
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