Bradley Manning's court-martial began today.

[Tau]

Discuss.

[Crash Override]

Who is Bradley Manning?

[blockman42]

Who is Bradley Manning?

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[Tau]

How can you not know about this?

[Chairman_Tiel]

I can't say I'm endeared to the subject but here's an article, read the comments if you want a general idea about the nature of the debate here.

[Crash Override]

Im from Brazil.

Actually is not everyday that "we" talk about soldier problems.

Mostly soccer and girls on tv.Danm country.

[Ivan2006]

Well, US-WikiLeaks problems aren´t a common theme for Austrian news.
*is not interested*

[Tau]

The big brouhaha isn't really over the leaked info per se (although that's what he's being prosecuted for), it's more because of the poor treatment he received and the fact that the information revealed included the so-called 'collateral murder video', a video of US soldiers and vehicles being used to murder innocent civilians simply because they were in their way.

There's also the fact that the US is exhibiting a basic principle of fascism, in that they're trying to prosecute him for 'aiding the enemy', a potentially capital offense, simply because he embarrassed the government.

[Chairman_Tiel]

They're trying to make the argument that he helped Al-Qaeda in doing so, but I don't see how any of the information released would have aided terrorism in any way

[ACH0225]

Treason is always a crime. This is treason, so he is charged for related crimes. I fail to see any problems.

[Chairman_Tiel]

Treason is aiding the enemy. Embarrassing the government is not aiding the enemy, unless you think our obese population would suddenly take up arms for Allah if they thought the government was flawed.

[ACH0225]

They should. Treason is going against the government in such a way that the enemy will be aided.

[Chairman_Tiel]

You're missing the point. The enemy was not aided in what he did. It's easier to say that he's an Al-Qaeda informant than charge on the grounds of releasing information that may lower the public's opinion of the government.

[Iv121]

There is no way to define which information is classified for a reason or the army abuses it's power. That is why he is accused (and actually for a reason) for treason. If one thing soldier should do is trust his commanders to do the right thing even if they do the wrong thing or otherwise the army will fall into chaos and it will be even worse than actually doing that wrong order. And yes he is wrong, he gave secret info for everyone to look at. The fact it was something the army was hiding is another story but yes he was not supposed to do it. Claiming you have the high moral ground does not give you the right to violate rules (for example murdering criminals).

Another example that right now one deserter was released from a local military prison. He was put to Jail 10 times already because he refused to serve in the army claiming “It oppresses the local population" . Rly ? You are not there for some little territorial disputes you should go and freaking serve to protect your damn family, the terrorists won't care you are radical lefty when they come to put a bullet up your butt, it is not a question of morality but survival, there is a rule and there is a reason for it. It doesn't matter what your political or moral views are you should follow rules. As sorry as I am for their moral high grounds they won't be able to fix a rotten ruling system like that only kill people ... Our army has both people from the left and the right and it finds everyone their place allowing people to serve the country and keep to their morals. Don’t want to kill ? Hate the regime ? Go serve as a freaking paramedic in an ambulance or a fireman, there are such options too ! That guy is just disgusting, those are the real traitors .

BTW for that I am talking about valid orders. There are also so called "Illegal orders" , for example if your commander orders you to take your rifle and shoot your comrade that is an illegal order and if you follow it you will be accused in murder. In gray areas where there cannot be permanent damage such as if your commander orders you to buy him a drink you should follow the order and later go to an authority and report the case, if it was really true you will be given your money back and the commander will be punished.

[Chairman_Tiel]

There is no way to define which information is classified for a reason or the army abuses it's power.

Then look at the leaks and judge for yourself whether he jeopardized national security by releasing that information. People aren't concerned that he's being charged, as much as that he's being charged with 'aiding the enemy' when he clearly wasn't doing such, it's just an easy way for the government to sweep it under the rug. That's why you hear cries of fascism and unusual punishment.

I'll be honest, I could care less where this goes, but I just wanted to clarify that this isn't a case of people moaning because some guy opened a gap in our missile defenses and didn't get away with it.