The Significance of the ‘Support Bradley Manning’ Campaign
July 24, 2010
Editorial by Katharine Dawn
Background
Bradley Manning is the young man charged with leaking classified US military information – including the video of a US Army helicopter gunning down Iraqi civilians and Reuters journalists in Iraq in 2007 that was released to the world via the whistleblower website WikiLeaks as “Collateral Murder”. Bradley is now held in isolation from the outside world, in military detention in Kuwait. Bradley, who reportedly felt un-supported in life, faces – for his alleged actions – up to 52 years imprisonment.
Could the fate of one young man have any bearing upon the fate of the world?
Standing back from the tremendous onrush of these pivotal times, is it possible to realistically gauge the significance of the Support Bradley Manning campaign to the future outcome of the world? That is the objective of this article, exploring divergent scenarios ; I’ll let my esteemed readers and the course of history be the judge. So,
What if the world abandons Bradley Manning and the cause of open, informed public debate he stands for?
- After putting his life on the line to provide the public with information he felt they deserved, the fate of Bradley Manning – who is said to have felt unsupported in life anyway – would be left in the dirty hands of the US military prison system for a substantial portion of his life.
- The wave of public outrage following upon WikiLeaks’ release of “Collateral Murder” would subside… and US war crimes would continue unchecked, unabated and largely unknown.
- Even WikiLeaks may fade into the background noise of a world where secrecy, deception and\ corruption are rife and crimes against humanity, the earth and the future proceed in hellish haste.
But…
What if the world Supports Bradley Manning and the cause of open, informed public debate?
- Global civil society would defend the actions for which Bradley Manning is charged [ie, the leaking of classified documents]; uphold the public’s right to know and demand the release of Bradley Manning and the dismissal of all charges against him: Bradley Manning would walk forth as a free man.
- The “greatest leak in 40 years” [according to Daniel Ellsberg, the man who in 1971 leaked the “Pentagon Papers”, thereby fuelling public outrage over the Vietnam War] would not fade into nothingness as mute testimony to humanity’s apathy and disempowerment, but rather would open wide the floor of public debate and awareness regarding issues of war and peace.
- Bradley’s iconic example and growing public awareness of the professional and secure service of whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, would open the floodgate for a deluge of whistle-blowing – as individuals everywhere, motivated by the public’s right to know, leak secret documents and classified material exposing corruption, deception and crimes against humanity – and lead to public outcry for real change.
Clearly, I’m hoping and working for the latter future scenario. And you?
Noting how when there’s “one man in chains, none are free”, a friend comments: “Bradley represents the truth-sayer in us all – if we leave him there, we abandon our own inner calling for truth”.
***
Katharine Dawn may be contacted through www.ec2012.org , http://www.livingtogethernetwork.net. Her former article on this issue was “World History Before Our Eyes”.
I support Bradley Manning.
Yes we are living in a world where the minions do what they are told to do, give up their lives for countries that sell illicit drugs, and support oil production, yes we are all the sheep that follow others to the slaughter house. Not. If you were alive during the Vietnam war you will know that many Americans moved to other countries to avoid being slaughtered in Vietnam. The same is happening today, the US has to get out of Afghanistan and Iwrack, and the government should hold no secrets especially on war crimes and hiding the dead like Bush did for 8 years. IF you don’t want to know the truth then don’t listen, but the majority of people want and expect the truth. If this is the only way to get at it, then praise Bradley Manning to have the guts to do it. A real soldier who is fighting to keep our freedoms from an imperialist and corrupt government.
IF you do not like this site, then buzz off it now Facts. The fact is you don’t know your head from your @#$&*.
Hey Alvo, this is not your site, so go blow on some other site, we don’t need any more sheep here, we are up to our eyeballs in sheep. Baaa…..Baaaa…..The fraud is the US government. Run along now…there is nothing for you here.
Private Manning – congratulations on a job well done in exposing the truth. We already know our governments are corrupt and quick to point the finger at ‘the enemy’. Gov’t will not take blame for their mistakes and misjudgements but willing to put innocent people in the line of fire once they have conceived ‘news of the enemy’. We are only told what we are meant to know – it is about time we (the world) know the truth. There is no truth in government – it is time they are accountable for their actions.
Unfortunately, it is a human trait – curruption, deception. One we always fight against, but never win…
That is why I believe governement should be local & transperant. We pay for it. Massive army, huge govmntal bureaucracy, corruption, all those things tend to remove the need for citizenship activism. The only thing REQUIRED to make a democracy work.
@Fletcher
Spoken like a true Marine. If our own people don’t agree with us, kill them. To Hell with freedom of speech we put on our military uniforms to protect. You were born too late for Kent State. You would have been perfect in the National Guard back then.
Obviously, the website has been targeted by the military kids who have been trained not to think (with one exception, if his parent status is true). I went through it in my twenties while serving. Eventually, they will look back and wonder how it could have been so easy to lose independent thought.
One can only wonder if this is a concerted effort conducted by the miltary leadership, or only a few individuals registering under multiple email addresses. I hope the website Admin is checking IP addresses (which may explain why some are not being posted – duplicate IP’s?). If these people with opposite beliefs are, in fact, legitimate I say, “Great.” It stirs up the hornets nest that keeps this issue at the front and gets it noticed.
@ those who berate the U.S.:
Granted, we have some serious problems at home and abroad. Many of us are actively trying to correct those mistakes, but we are doing it in the only way we should. Openly voicing our opinions, demonstrating, and voting. We don’t do coups. We respect the Constitution that gives us the right to do what we can. The same Constitution that gives other Americans the right to disagree with us.
In any event, Pvt. Manning has been charged with passing a video of an attack on civilians. In the first part of it I can understand the a camera with a telephoto lens being mistaken for a weapon. For those in combat, hesitation can get you dead.
I have a serious problem with the attack on the civilians from the van. These were obviously NON-combatants who were obviously only trying to provide aid to a wounded man. They posed no threat in any manner, shape, or form. If it were a medic of ours that was sniped while providing aid I guarantee the video would have been released by the military within the hour. It was simple blood lust and the official military version of events (calling all the participants anti-Iraqi insurgents) is plainly a cover-up of a war crime. That shit needs to be exposed.
The documents… “100′s of lives put at risk,” the military says. Bullshit. If Pvt. Manning did pass those along he should be given a medal for putting his own freedom on the line by exposing with FACTS, what our government and military have been lying to us about. It’s hard truth about what had been previously reported as rumors with no supporting evidence.
Eisenhower berated the German population for not exposing and acting against what they knew and ignored – genocide. It was their fault for not taking action against it. Apparently, exposing the truth and taking action against crimes and deception is only acceptable when it is others who are wrong.
The bottom line is that this one incident (the leaks) just might have most of you snot-nosed kids living to a ripe old age and realizing you owe Pvt. Manning for exposing the BS you are being put through.
Yes, backstaber, you are right on!!! Now the question comes… what should be done about it… what can we/I do about it?? I am afraid that unless we are ready to be fitted up with one of those explosive vests.. not much.
That makes it easy to understand what must be in the mind of some of those who greet us with one of those self-destructive devices… No way they are any crazier than we are.. only in a different direction… Some persons have an answer for anyone who disagrees with them.. it is used a lot… and they do not expect to be questioned about it or even have it revealed.
There are things we can do.
Personally, I’ve called all my state Senators and Reps directly by phone and voiced my opinion, asking them to put any pressure they can on the military to keep this kid from being crucified. I’ve written to the President asking him to consider a pardon for Manning if he is convicted, or amnesty from prosecution – stating my reasons for the request.
I’m adding articles to a blog I run that relates to this issue. On my other websites (about 100) that are for my Internet Marketing business I have added a “Free Bradley Manning” banner I created, that links to the appropriate website so that people are informed.
I’ve added a signature code to my emails so that a link is always included at the end of them. Whenever I send an email to anyone about anything, Brads’ Banner is at the bottom of it. Which, by the way, I am in the process of creating a download that will have instructions on how to this, if others are interested. Once done, I’ll provide the link to the download to the Admin of this site so that others can do the same.
This will not be an overnight success of getting people to understand the facts and get active, or to even care enough to do something other than sit on their couch and say, “I’m too worried about surviving in this economy to get involved.” I personally have talked to many that think Brad did the right thing, but convincing them to make a simple phone call to their Senator is like pulling teeth. Some don’t want their name on government records for fear of being put on some “watch list.”
Eventually, God willing, there might come a Walter Cronkite moment when some well known conservative makes a statement that pointedly confirms that not only did Brad do the right thing, but our government has been deceiving us. Cronkite gave America a wake-up call about Vietnam and it only came after years of “Hippies” and educated people constantly keeping public opinion against the war on the nightly news.
America needs to put down the xbox, turn off the reality shows, and get their heads out of the sand. If all of us do whatever we can to get the media to take notice that there are people who give a crap and our attention span is going to last longer than 48 hours, we have a chance to wake up those who have been blindly led into a situation that is just as wrong as it was when GWB got us involved with fictitious WMD’s.
If Pakistan continues to allow safe haven for the Taliban, in an area of their country they can’t control, and Afghanistan leadership remains as corrupt as it is now, our kids are nothing but cannon fodder.
Thank you BackstabberReport, it really does make the difference.
The governement is given right by us, the people. They seem to believe that most of us do not want to be aware of the truth. They want xbox, reality shows & being able to shoot squirrels in the park. We have to remind them, that the only reason they are there, it is because, we, as a society, agreed for them to be there. They need to be accountable to us – the public. That means – quarterly reports, just like in any other service industry. Then – we will see if 50% of the budget is not a waste on military (yes, it is, but now we have proof too).
Okay,,, I just did that… US Rep 16th district… John Boccieri. I have met with him before and he is a good guy… but also has a military background. Will keep pressing him.
Will write a letter to the editor and personally contact the page editor..
IS THERE ANYWHERE RELATED TO THIS MATTER WHERE A DEMONISTRATON MIGHT BE EFFECTIVE.. SINCE HE IS BEING HELD OVERSEAS… CAN THE MILITARY BE FORCED TO BRING HIM BACK IN COUNTRY?? ANY BODY KNOW??
@Howard Fauss -I think it’s best to open that discussion on the forum.
I think that Americans should protest this Cyber-Security bill:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html
And at the same time, it is the perfect occasion to ask to free Manning.
Sorry, that link was a year old, here with updates:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-18/new-bill-would-let-obama-police-internet-for-national-security-reasons/
the bill is moving at the speed of light…
I just read that he is back in the United States.
Hey genius PFC Manning doesn’t have the same freedom of speech when acting in uniform. It also doesn’t apply to his top secret level clearance. What a complete dumbass you must be. Too much chiba in the 70s maybe?
Pete,
If your comment about Brad not having free speech was directed at me, I don’t believe I ever said he did. I do say he has the balls to expose BS. You also need to get something straight in that “mind” of yours. Putting on a uniform only places you under the UCMJ guidelines. You do not give up all your rights and responsibilities as an American citizen. Nor are you excused from reporting war crimes because you were ordered not to, or have secret clearance. “I was only following orders” didn’t fly in ’45 and it doesn’t work today. If your superiors refuse to act it is not only your military obligation to expose it, but your moral obligation, as well.
Now, go wash that brown shirt you’ve been wearing far too long.
The above, of course, should have been directed to RedLeg 6.
“Backstabber”.
I spent my life(17-38)wearing that uniform to protect many things. To be honest, I never fought for freedoms or the flag; that’s the truth. I fought for the kid to my left and to my right. It was ‘just us’ and we depended on each other with absolute trust. I believed that spending my youth trying to protect those unfortunate souls that cannot defend themselves was a worthy and honorable life. If you disagree with me, that is ‘your’ right. It will always be your right..
As far as your projection that I want to kill ‘anybody’ is way off. You chose to personally attack me for ‘my’ comments concerning a young soldier that has been indicted for crimes concerning national security, who is the aggressor here ‘backstabber’? My God, I am merely in disagreement with the theory of an ‘entire movement’ involving the support given by another group… Have I ‘earned’ that ‘right’ to speak, like you right?
Strange how my original comment was ‘removed instantly’ to make room for ‘your’ attack on ‘my’ comments; which noone was allowed to enjoy. Who is truly ‘censoring’ what we do or say? Your actions have made it clear; ‘oppose and be hammered’. Lighten up ‘backstabber’, That was NOT an attack on YOU… It was my ‘free speech’ that I was sharing with the world. The ‘world’, not ‘you’. Either way, we still need each other. Without the other, there is no argument to defend and learn from, right? My view on the soldier in question remains the same. Let’s let history be the ‘final’ judge to determine how the world views his actions. I truly hope your involvement with your side of this issue brings the results you desire. I, will continue my efforts. Good luck to you Sir/Ma’am. ‘Backstabber’ leaves that kinda open. I like my own name. Let’s ‘debate’ without another dismissed comment from me, and without you using my name as a rope to hang your disagreement. Play nice, remember? I look forward to your comments…”Fletcher”
I support Bradley Manning.
And we support Bradley Manning.
If he really is this person who has done it? Until now nobody knows this.
We people of Germany know what war is and we have learnt out of our mistakes
We do not wont war anymore, never!
Unfortunately, our government is just a tool of America and therefore we are in this terrible war in Afghanistan.
But our whole nation is against this war.
Please stop wars!
wars are no answer of conflicts, let us start a new way of live, let us talk with each other, we do not neat war in this new age anymore, war is only primitive, let us start to go new ways in the future.
We are friends of America, please let us stay friends, and please protest against your government if they push you in wars again, do not believe because they only take care of the money in the pockets of the rich people, they do not care about you, they only use you.
What have they done for you in the past time?
Think about it?
Yours faithfully
Amelie out of Germany
I wish everyone felt and believed the way some here do… regardless of what the belief is… there will always be another generation that will have to learn the “truth” for themselves. To them, this and Kent State will only be “history”.
Well said Backstabber, well said. When we lose our freedom to speak out, to point out the mistakes of invading other countries we have lost our dignity and yes the honour of our own military. Kent State was a glaring example of foreign policy gone wrong and yet we do not learn from history we keep repeating the same mistakes. When we can’t trust our own govt., our own military to tell us the truth we’ve lost the battle. Prv. Manning should be released immediately, without delay -he is a War Hero not a criminal unless we have chosen to imprison whistleblowers who bring the real truth to the American public. The truth is the very least we can give Americans when their futures are being destroyed by the debt of both wars for 10 years!!
Amelie- thank you for posting your comments, Germany is a good example of governments fooling the public, and destroying most of Europe in the process. We are as sick as our secrets, and quite frankly Americans need to know those secrets or how are we to resolve this mess? War is not the answer, never was and never will be in the future.
In Arizona today – they are arresting protesters against the illegal Arizona law, imagine being imprisoned for speaking your mind? What has this country become other than a totalitarian government -state or federal -this military take over of government has to stop also. We blame Iran for attacking their demonstrators, how much better are we to imprison the truth tellers, the whistleblowers, and who gave the military the right to run this country?
I support the truth, therefore I support Bradley Manning.
Hey genius PFC Manning doesn’t have the same freedom of speech when acting in uniform. It also doesn’t apply to his top secret level clearance. What a complete dumbass you must be. Too much chiba in the 70s maybe?
This is how twisted the right wing nuts have become, just another example of the liars and cheaters in the military that want to control our govt., and by the way you’ve added tens of billions to the national debt. Perhaps your kids will be paying for this -the rest of their lives and so will their children. That is if you could pro-create.
Who ever said that a uniform makes you allergic to telling the truth, who ever said a uniform gives you the right to hide the truth?
Oh good lord here we go again. For the record I am not a right0winger, I am a Libertarian. But anyways, the rights applicable to civilian citizens of the United States do not always apply to servicemembers, especially when in uniform.
For example: Freedom of Speech, active duty member of the military are not allowed to make disparaging remarks about the President or Members of Congress…. The list goes on. This has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the role of the military. I am not stating a political opinion, I am pointing out constitutional and military law to a group of people that are obviously oblivious to it.
I support brave Manning.
Whether or not he should have released the links is of course a very difficult moral conundrum. However, I hope he doesn’t spend to long in prison for it.
Manning is a true hero for democracy.
Pvt Manning-years from now will go down in history as one True and Brave Soldier, and a credit to the US military that is bent on reducing the United States to a bankrupt third world country.
We are almost there now. These wars must end now, before any more of our brave young men coming back limbless to a VA that deserts them and a country that puts them in the poverty zone. The disabled soldiers are thrown to the wolves in this country and they deserve better. Wake up America, your being lied to and cheated out of yours and the future of your children-just follow the money and who is profiting from the two wars.
I hear so much that I agree with that is in support of Manning and I feel so sorry for those who can not see what is happening and are sold on the way things are and have been. I am an agnostic but it is clear to see what is required of us….. and it is not to see how many people we can kill and then try to justify and find reasons for it. It would follow from that bankrupt view point that Manning is a man who has not been true to the calling of supporting his country in all it is doing: not working for god and country, freedom and the ammerican way of life and so forth.
I say “good for him!!!!”.. we should save him if we can but he is in the hands of those who are determined to make the world be “not good” as I see it… and that makes them be “not good” and blind!! He has made a great sacrifice… the greatest sacrifice.. he has given himself.
The Congressman is calling for Bradley’s execution. Shocking!!! I am not a proponate of killing anyone…BUT if anyone should be executed it should be the soldiers in the helicopters who shot the innocent civilians for no reason and wounded 2 small children and then said it was the parents fault for bringing their children into a battle zone. Those soldiers are nothing more than grievious murderers. And the U.S. government wants to cover it up? Hide the truth and the facts?? If President Obama does not step up and pull Bradley Manning up and out of this mountain of military rubble that he is buried under….and free him….then how can we trust President Obama if HE doesn’t stand up for the TRUTH, and instead chooses to be part of the cover up. Or maybe we have such a government that if Obama speaks out against the military, they will do away with him too. I wouldn’t put anything past them after seeing that video.
It is not surprising that the US congressman who wants to “kill” the whistleblower if found guilty of leaking so called military “secrets” is a Republican Mike Rogers. Here is a perfect example of a a government official being the judge and executioner of a man who tells the truth. Nazi Germany pales in comparison and exterminating someone who exposed the truth about the war is a war crime. If that is the way Americans hold their justice system then lets start with George W. Bush, his father, Dick Cheney and Rumsfeld who invaded Iraq and Afghanistan because there are plenty of nooses to go around for all of them.