I'm finding it harder and harder these days to be proud of being an American.
The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
11–20 of 56 posts
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
Do you think we should leave a mint on his (non)pillow every night? The accusations against this military person, who voluntarily violated his oath to protect the nation's secrets, are very serious, and PRIVATE, not Mister, Manning is being held to the same standards any other military person is liable to, and is quite likely to face execution by firing squad.
Execution for treason is less morally offensive than psychological torture. That's why cruel and unusual punishment is expressly forbidden by the constitution. EDIT: To say nothing of the fact that he hasn't been convicted of anything yet.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
Even in the modern political climate, it's going to be hard for the prosecution to demonstrate that Wikileaks constitutes an enemy of the United States.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#13Duplicate: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2009268 1 comment.
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Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#14This is utterly shocking. I had no idea that solitary confinement was used in cases other than to prevent physical harm to an inmate or to prevent violence. It looks like the technique is being used the same way as a "stress position" to slowly turn Manning into a hopeless wreck willing to say anything to see the light of day again. Regardless of what Manning did (and regardless of whether or not I find it offensive)…
We're doing it to rather a few people, unfortunately.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
Execution for treason is less morally offensive than psychological torture. That's why cruel and unusual punishment is expressly forbidden by the constitution. EDIT: To say nothing of the fact that he hasn't been convicted of anything yet.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." Even in the modern political climate, it's going to be hard for the prosecution to demonstrate that Wikileaks constitutes an enemy of the…
The Founding Fathers were traitors so it is not exactly a surprise that it is hard to convict someone of treason in the US.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." Even in the modern political climate, it's going to be hard for the prosecution to demonstrate that Wikileaks constitutes an enemy of the…
The Founding Fathers were traitors so it is not exactly a surprise that it is hard to convict someone of treason in the US.
More accurately, they'd seen people charged and convicted of treason for nothing more than criticizing the government.
This definition wouldn't have exempted them.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." Even in the modern political climate, it's going to be hard for the prosecution to demonstrate that Wikileaks constitutes an enemy of the…
The Founding Fathers were traitors so it is not exactly a surprise that it is hard to convict someone of treason in the US.
I understand your point, but all governments are started by traitors and many rulers try to close the door behind them.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#18Cruel and unusual punishment. This is ridiculous and makes me feel ashamed to be an American.
And Guantanamo didn't?
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#19This is utterly shocking. I had no idea that solitary confinement was used in cases other than to prevent physical harm to an inmate or to prevent violence. It looks like the technique is being used the same way as a "stress position" to slowly turn Manning into a hopeless wreck willing to say anything to see the light of day again. Regardless of what Manning did (and regardless of whether or not I find it offensive)…
Do you think we should leave a mint on his (non)pillow every night? The accusations against this military person, who voluntarily violated his oath to protect the nation's secrets, are very serious, and PRIVATE, not Mister, Manning is being held to the same standards any other military person is liable to, and is quite likely to face execution by firing squad.
He's being subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. In case anyone had doubts who had the moral high ground (Manning or the US Government) this proves it was not the US Government.
In general, prisoners should not be treated inhumanely. It's well known that many in prison are beaten and/or raped by other inmates (which itself is inexcusable) but this mistreatment is directly at the hands of those in charge of the prison. Manning has not been violent or dangerous and so there is no need for him to be treated this way.
Re: The inhumane conditions of Bradley Manning's detention
#20This is utterly shocking. I had no idea that solitary confinement was used in cases other than to prevent physical harm to an inmate or to prevent violence. It looks like the technique is being used the same way as a "stress position" to slowly turn Manning into a hopeless wreck willing to say anything to see the light of day again. Regardless of what Manning did (and regardless of whether or not I find it offensive)…
Do you think we should leave a mint on his (non)pillow every night? The accusations against this military person, who voluntarily violated his oath to protect the nation's secrets, are very serious, and PRIVATE, not Mister, Manning is being held to the same standards any other military person is liable to, and is quite likely to face execution by firing squad.
The oath is to protect the U.S. Constitution, not the nation's secrets (except as follows under general orders and the UCMJ).
> "I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Is it necessary to leak these cables to support and defend the Constitution? Probably not. But there is clear precedent that illegal orders (contradicting either the UCMJ or the Constitution) are not supposed to be obeyed.
Espionage charges are laid out in 10 USC 906a: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/usc_sec_10_00000906---a000... and conviction has to prove "intent or reason to believe that it is to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation", and the death penalty requires one of a number of aggravating circumstances that don't seem to apply.
He certainly will be locked up, undoubtedly for quite some time, but he's not going to be executed (if the law is followed).