Government

State Dept Spokesman Condemns DOD‘s ’Ridiculous’ Treatment of WikiLeaks Suspect

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley has publicly admonished the U.S. Defense Department for its treatment of alleged WikiLeaks source Private Bradley Manning. In a speech on “the benefits of new media as it relates to foreign policy” delivered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Thursday, Crowley told an audience that the Pentagon was being “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid” in its detention of Manning.

In a Q&A session, an audience member asked Crowley what he thought about WikiLeaks, an online site dedicated to publishing private, secret, and classified information from anonymous news sources and info leaks. The question (in the questioner’s words) asked about the United States “torturing a prisoner in a military brig.”

According to Blogger Philippa Thomas who first reported the story, “Crowley didn’t stop to think.”

What’s being done to Bradley Manning by my colleagues at the Department of Defense ‘is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.’ He paused. ‘Nonetheless Bradley Manning is in the right place’. And he went on lengthening his answer, explaining why in Washington’s view, ‘there is sometimes a need for secrets… for diplomatic progress to be made.’”

Here is an unofficial transcript of Crowley’s remarks:

I spent 26 years in the air force. What is happening to Manning is ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid, and I don’t know why the DoD is doing it. Nevertheless, Manning is in the right place.” There are leaks everywhere in Washington – it‘s a town that can’t keep a secret. But the scale is different. It was a colossal failure by the DoD to allow this mass of documents to be transported outside the network. Historically, someone has picked up a file of papers and passed it around – the information exposed is on one country or one subject. But this is a scale we’ve never seen before. If Julian Assange is right and we’re in an era where there are no secrets, do we expect that people will release Google’s search engine algorithms? The formula for Coca Cola? Some things are best kept secret. If we’re negotiating between the Israelis and the Palestinians, there will be compromises that are hard for each side to sell to their people – there’s a need for secrets.

On Friday, Crowley confirmed that he did in fact make the remarks.  “What I said was my personal opinion. It does not reflect an official USG policy position. I defer to the Department of Defense regarding the treatment of Bradley Manning,” Crowley said.

Some human rights groups — including Amnesty International — have criticized the Pentagon for holding Manning in a maximum security prison at a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va.

A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on Crowley’s remarks, but during his energy press conference Friday, President Obama was pressed to clarify his administration’s stance.  Obama said he had personally asked the Pentagon if the conditions imposed on Manning were entirely necessary.

“They assured me that they are,” Obama said.  Without going into detail, Obama added: “It has something to do with his safety.”

Private Manning is being held under a Prevention of Injury (POI) assignment which means he is subjected to further restrictions than normal prisoners.

“These [restrictions] include checks by guards every five minutes and a bar on his sleeping during the day. He is required to remain visible at all times, including during night checks,” Amnesty International complained in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates in January.  “His POI status has resulted in his being deprived of sheets and a separate pillow, causing uncomfortable sleeping conditions; his discomfort is reportedly exacerbated by the fact that he is required to sleep only in boxer shorts and has suffered chafing of his bare skin from the blankets.”

Manning was charged last July with transferring classified data onto his personal computer and communicating national defense information to an unauthorized source.  Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced an additional 22 charges, including “aiding the enemy,” a capital offense.  He is currently awaiting a hearing to decide whether he will face a court martial.

Comments (52)

  • iarefounder
    Posted on March 13, 2011 at 6:55am

    I have a list of others I would prefer to be on the treason trial list far ahead of Manning.

    Report Post »  
  • JIMBOLAYA
    Posted on March 12, 2011 at 10:37pm

    Three things on the top of my “Don’t Care List”…
    Google’s search engine algorithyms;
    Coca Cola’s Formula;
    Pvt. Manning‘s ’blanket chafing….

    Report Post »  
  • southernORcobra
    Posted on March 12, 2011 at 8:07am

    dod didn’t act stupidly manning should be shot then shot again to make sure. He swore an oath he violated it nuff said

    Report Post »  
  • RustyElbows
    Posted on March 12, 2011 at 8:05am

    For you libs out there – “What is happening to Manning is ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid, and I don’t know why the DoD is doing it..”

    And to soothe you conservatives – ‘Nonetheless Bradley Manning is in the right place’.

    All is well………..

    Report Post » RustyElbows  
  • Arc
    Posted on March 12, 2011 at 6:18am

    Look at it this way, if I may bend your ear.

    Dept of Def is actually doing Manning a favor. The leaks that Manning offered to the world, not only involved the US but other countries. I’ll hazard a guess that Mannings life expectancy would decrease considerably if he were allowed to walk the streets. Application of the law and enforcement thereof means little to someone who has lost a family member, a friend or a innocent bystander to Mannings treasonous activities. War and the consequences of war are truly “hell ”

    Report Post » Arc  
  • allahisapig
    Posted on March 12, 2011 at 3:27am

    That guy SHOULD be tortured! I hope they all line up and take a big wikiLEAK all over his face!!!

    Report Post »  
  • 1Wolverine
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 11:58pm

    I don’t know if Manning is guilty or not. And neither do any of you. A lot of you like to call him a traitor and guilty of treason. How do you know this? Are you privy to special info that the rest of us aren’t? You like to bash the government day in and day out (AND RIGHTLY SO!) but somehow you don’t realize that the military is the strong arm of the government. The US military has it’s fair share of corruption just as the any arm of government does. But so many of you like to act as the US military walks on water. It doesn’t. It’s as big of a federal bureaucracy as any with out of control spending and other abuses.
    It was our Founding Fathers that gave us the protections of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. And while so many of you want to portray yourself as the epitome of a “patriot” you piss all over what the Founders gave us buy accusing Manning of being guilty without a trial. Wake up. Just because BIG ARMY is accusing him doesn‘t mean he’s automatically guilty of anything. How about standing up for liberty and let Manning have a trial instead of standing up for tyranny and accusing him of being guilty. Or is it only liberty for those that are exactly like yourself? It is possible for the Army to wrongly accuse someone and to mistreat someone.

    Report Post » 1Wolverine  
  • NoRoomForSocialismHere
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 11:24pm

    Are the idiots in D.C. going to force us to fulfill OUR constitutional RIGHTS?

    Report Post »  
  • twofoot_trucker
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:47pm

    More proof that all State Dept employees need to be recalled to Foggy Bottom. After which, the windows and doors need to be bricked over and the power cut to the building.

    Report Post »  
  • 5 Aces
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:47pm

    Oh poor baby He should of thought about that before he compromised his integrity, after all when you are in the military you are under the UCMJ Fort Leavenworth is your ultimate destiny for intentional malfeasance especially high crimes including treason which could be defined as releasing top secret data to the enemy. Everyone with half a brain learns that in basic training. But of course his Lawyers are slow rolling his prosecution, Just Like Major Hasan.

    Report Post »  
  • sonseeker
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:49pm

    being a traitor is the worst crime…so suffer

    Report Post » sonseeker  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:43pm

    is he being waterboarded? no is he being let out amoung those who wish to do him harm? no did he go through boot camp and should be USED to such harsh treatment.. oh wait he is a wuss

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:39pm

    “Don’t chafe me, bro!”

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • JROCCOD
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:39pm

    Is anybody paying attention except to how we feel about the islamofascists? This is the MOST INEPT administration that has held power in the history of this Republic….I feel like there has already been a Communist coup…NOT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • tompaineknowsthescore
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:34pm

    The Treatment of Manning is wrong hes now been held for 5 months in solitary confinement without trial
    he is only allowed an hour of ‘exercise’ a day which is walking around a small windowless room. despite not being a suicide risk he is on constant watch and has to strip at night and is routinely woken. he is allowed no exposure to the outside world and if he tries to exercise in his cell he is stopped.

    Alright he did wrong but he should not be hung for a crime of conscience.

    Report Post » tompaineknowsthescore  
    • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:01pm

      Excuse me Tom, but stealing classified documents is considered treason. The confinement is because he is considered a suicide risk. Crime of conscience? What the hell is that?

      Report Post »  
    • tompaineknowsthescore
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:05pm

      Manning, his lawyer and most importantly several psychiatrists employed by the army have said he isnt suicidal but the base commander refuses to take him of watch

      by crime of conscience i meant he exposed government wrong doing and hypocrisy albeit illegally so he should be punished but the death penalty is excessive

      Report Post » tompaineknowsthescore  
    • CaptGregg
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:21pm

      Although I’d like to see the little weasel hang, I’ll be content to see him spend the rest of his life (which could well be another 60+ years) in the same environment that he’s whining about now.

      Report Post »  
    • 13thGenerationAmerican
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:29pm

      Manning did what was morally right, he saw crimes, yes crimes against humanity, and he had the guts to try to right a wrong. He did the same thing Jesus would have done. But in this era of dominionist theology, morality has been drowned out through the lens of theocratic ideologue prism.

      Report Post » 13thGenerationAmerican  
    • pzzdnga
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:36pm

      Awww…poor baby. Just another “mis-understood”, conscience aware do gooder who just had to let the world know what a baadddd country he was born into….boo hoo hoo! I think you’re missing the point here Tom..they have him as a POI for HIS safety. HE will be royally f27435d up if not out right tortured and killed if the put him in other conditions. I’m all for it personally…let him go play in the yard with the real soldiers and give him a sheet to hang himself with. Certainly no loss for the USA…

      Report Post »  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:53pm

      I‘ll bet he doesn’t get the death penalty anyway. I am fine with him staying where he is. Although I do wish they did not have to spend so much time checking on him, for the guards sake certainly not his, I would like for him to not have that much contact.I think it takes a despicable human being to do what he did and not realize that it could put so many lives in danger. I thought this was not a crime of conscience, I thought they said he did it because he was tired of the DADT rule and his treatment about being gay.Was all that wrong? Any way there was not a “GOOD” reason to betray your Country. I personally hope he spends alot of time thinking about what he has done, and maybe with the treatment he is getting not being “THE ROYAL LIBERL TREATMENT” maybe it will deter anyone else from doing such a thing,One thing does still bother me about this, someone else mentioned it earlier, I just don’t know how he had complete access to all this sensitive material being so low ranking…….

      Report Post »  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:01pm

      I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty. Treatment under the UCMJ is very different than under civilian law. Manning was instructed on some of the finer points during his Basic Training.
      Just being charged with treason would result in very serious injury and more likely death if he were in the general prison population. Short of cowardice in battle there is no crime more despised in the military. In population he would get a “Field Expedient” trial and punishment. I guarantee you there would not be a single witness.
      My guess is that his attorney is slowing down the process in hopes that attention will begin to fade.
      If he is proven innocent he should go free at once. If the verdict is guilty I hereby volunteer as a member of the firing squad. While on active duty in the Armed Forces you automatically relinquish the right to political activism. Anyone who has served knows this to be true. To a degree you give up some individuality and civil rights the second you take the oath and put on the uniform. Our Armed Services are completely voluntary. The rules of the game are drummed into every service member.

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • psycodad36
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:10pm

      he should only be hung for high crimes and treason

      Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on March 13, 2011 at 7:48am

      too bad all the leakers in the u.s. weren’t getting the same treatment.

      Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:33pm

    Obama is being “ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid” in his handling of the nations deficit.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • psycodad36
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:57pm

      and basically all other duties assigned to him under our laws

      Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:32pm

    He is suffering “chaffing” to the skin? Oh, the inhumanity! The disgrace to the country! The violation of international laws and his civil rights! How cruel and evil the military is. What’s next, calling him names? Making funny faces at him? When will this cruel treatment stop? Everyone should call their Congressmen and complain. I would, but I don‘t want him to think that I’m some kind of an idiot.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:31pm

    Crowley is just another Obama Administration “light-weight” LEFTY without a clue.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Defender
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:26pm

    Add your comments

    Report Post »  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:21pm

    security.prvention of harm.??screw tat,he should and shall be tried and convicted of treason against the United States

    Report Post »  
    • chickenlittle
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:04pm

      I have no doubt it’s for “safety”… how many others in the brig would like a crack at a for-real traitor to his country.

      Report Post » chickenlittle  
    • old.outlaw
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:10pm

      And until he is tried and convicted. We have a policy here that says Innocent until proven guilty. And how does a private obtain the kind of security clearance to get this info.

      old.outlaw  
    • JohnnyRaiden
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:30pm

      His mos was intel, he was given access to the data base because of that.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 11:07pm

      OLD.OUTLAW Not in the military……He is not a walmart shoplifter

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:18pm

    Now the Militaeryn is acting stupidly. When is the beer summit.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • psycodad36
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:22pm

      I’m having a beer summit right now

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:34pm

      As long as they aren’t shoving a red hot poker up his posterior, Harrasssss the heck out of him. He is in jail, he commited a felony and treason against his country. If anyone has died in the result of these leaks, he could face the death penalty. But hey, we should put him in the big comfy chair and call in the Spanish Inquistion.

      NO ONE EVER EXPECTS THE INQUISITION!!!!

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • TERMLIMITSNOW
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:49pm

      My beer summit just kicked off too!!!

      Report Post » TERMLIMITSNOW  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 8:53pm

      It‘s a good thing he isn’t in the Catholic school in Louisiana, he would be paddled.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:06pm

      Hillary’s State Dept has issues with DOD ?
      Is she starting a war with the Pentagon now ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:11pm

      @TERMLIMITSNOW
      @psycodad36
      I am having a Double bock beer summit, what kind are you having. Cheers.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:19pm

      It was a colossal failure by the DoD to allow this mass of documents to be transported outside the network.
      ________________
      How does the DoD‘s colossal failure compare to what the State Department did when a jihady’s own dad come up to them to warn them about the jihady intentions of his son and to request the jihady not be given a visa to USA ?
      ( Remember the panty-bomber? )
      Or how about lifting the ban on muslim brotherhood jihadies and inviting them over to team with jihadies in US to wage jihad on us ?
      Or how about funding the middle-east vacation of the G-0 imam with taxpayer money so he could raise funds for his trophy of islamic conquest , over the remains of 9/11 victims ?
      What was that for the State Department?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:25pm

      @cheezwhiz
      True
      One fact in networks and security is, you can put up the biggest, most powerful firewall, but the one factor that will always defeat you is the human factor. That is what happened here, the human factor failed and a scumbag was allowed access to sensitive material.

      So I say agian, bring on the comfy chair and let the Inquisition begin.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 9:43pm

      Private Manning is being held under a Prevention of Injury (POI) assignment which means he is subjected to further restrictions than normal prisoners.
      —–
      Now this is just wrong .
      Very wrong.
      Manning should be transferred to some county facility, like the LA County Jail.
      He should be in the general population too, no need to isolate him .
      Just make sure the general population of LA County Jail knows that Manning is gay.
      Lets see how he likes those amusement park rides, on the hour every hour

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Dale
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:08pm

      PJ; Coke’s formula has already been released. Check the.Blaze once in a while.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • Wdawg
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:12pm

      We readers at the Blaze dont believe in Innocent til Proven guilty!

      Report Post » Wdawg  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:21pm

      @Wdawg
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:12pm
      We readers at the Blaze dont believe in Innocent til Proven guilty!
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      What’s this “we” stuff?

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 10:53pm

      Iam having a Leinenkugel’s beer summit
      best thing to come out of wis in the last 50 yrs
      I left 55 yrs ago bottoms up chug a lug

      Report Post »  
    • restorehope
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 11:38pm

      Too bad for Manning. If he wants the comforts of home, he shouldn’t have become a traitor to his country. Perhaps (like in the “Man Without A Country” story) he should be placed on a ship at sea for the rest of his life, and never allowed to see land or hear the name of his country mentioned ever again? That would be treating him way too kindly. Manning’s pathetic well-being is not worthy of the lives of the Americans he has callously endangered.

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 11, 2011 at 11:41pm

      @marine249
      I love that beer, I agree, the best Wisconsin has to offer. With a Brat, total heaven.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on March 12, 2011 at 12:35am

      I‘m glad they are coming down hard on Manning and I don’t feel the least bit of pity for him. I only wish that the powers that be, would crack down on all leakers. Understanding that some leaks are more sensitive than others, my feeling is this… if there is any law against leaking from inside our government, then it should be enforced and publicly show the trials to get the word out to all the future leakers that they will go to jail if they leak!

      Who do you want to run for POTUS in 2012…?
      http://www.americasteapartynews.com/tea-blog.php#/

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  

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