Bradley Manning Avoids 90 Year Sentence, Gets 35

[AUChizad]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/judge-to-sentence-bradley-manning-today/2013/08/20/85bee184-09d0-11e3-b87c-476db8ac34cd_story.html

Judge sentences Bradley Manning to 35 years

View Photo Gallery — Bradley Manning sentenced: A military judge on Wednesday morning sentenced Pfc. Bradley Manning to 35 years in prison for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks.

By Julie Tate, Updated: Wednesday, August 21, 6:00 AM E-mail the writer

A military judge on Wednesday morning sentenced Army Pfc. Bradley Manning to 35 years in prison for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks.

Manning, 25, was convicted last month of multiple charges, including violations of the Espionage Act for copying and disseminating the documents while serving as an intelligence analyst at a forward operating base in Iraq. He faced up to 90 years in prison.

The embassy had been evacuated two weeks ago in response to a reported terrorist threat.

According to the military, Manning is required to serve one-third of the sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.

Judge Denise Lind, an Army colonel, said Manning was dishonorably discharged. Manning stood at attention, flanked by his attorneys, to hear the verdict with his aunt, Debra Van Alstyne, sitting behind him. He did not appear to react when the sentence was read.

The decision was immediately condemned by the American Civil Liberties Union.

“When a soldier who shared information with the press and public is punished far more harshly than others who tortured prisoners and killed civilians, something is seriously wrong with our justice system,” said Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project.

The government had asked the judge to sentence Manning to 60 years. “There is value in deterrence, your honor; this court must send a message to any soldier contemplating stealing classified information,” said Capt. Joe Morrow, a military prosecutor. “National security crimes that undermine the entire system must be taken seriously.”

Defense lawyer David Coombs portrayed Manning as a well-intentioned but isolated soldier with gender identification issues, and he asked Lind to impose “a sentence that allows him to have a life.”

“He cares about human life,” said Coombs as the sentencing phase of the court-martial at Fort Meade ended last week. “His biggest crime was he cared about the loss of life he was seeing and was struggling with it.”

Manning also addressed the court and apologized for his actions, saying he was “sorry that I hurt the United States.”

Manning will receive a credit of 1,293 days for the time he has been confined prior to the sentence, including 112 days of credit for abusive treatment he was subjected to in the brig at the Quantico Marine Base.

Manning transmitted the first documents to WikiLeaks in February 2010, sending what came to be known as the Iraq and Afghanistan “War Logs” — field reports from across both theaters. Manning’s lawyers said he had become disillusioned by what he was seeing in Iraq and hoped that the public release of the secret material would prompt greater public understanding of the wars.

Manning established a relationship online with a person who is thought to be Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. As their personal correspondence deepened, Manning continued to transmit more material, including assessments of detainees at Guantanamo Bay and an enormous cache of diplomatic cables. He also leaked a video that showed a U.S. Apache helicopter in Baghdad opening fire on a group of Iraqis, including two journalists and children, that the helicopter crew believed to be insurgents.

According to his lawyers, Manning became more and more stressed in Iraq, wrestling with his sexuality and the breakup of a relationship. At one point, in April 2010, he sent an e-mail to a superior with the subject line “My Problem” and a photo of himself wearing a blond wig and lipstick.

On May 7, Manning was found on the floor of a supply room with a knife at his feet. After some brief counseling, he was returned to his workstation. Later that same day, he struck a fellow soldier and was removed permanently from the secure environment where he worked.

Following these events, Manning boasted to hacker Adrian Lamo that he had been working with WikiLeaks. After engaging Manning for several days, Lamo informed Army investigators and the FBI about the breach of information and provided them with his chat logs with Manning.

Manning was arrested in Iraq on May 27, 2010.

Legal proceedings against Manning began in December 2011 and, in February of this year, Manning pleaded guilty to 10 lesser included charges. The trial portion of the proceedings began June 3, and on July 30, Lind found Manning guilty of 20 of the 22 charges he faced.

[Kaos]

Archie will be relieved.

[AUChizad]

In all seriousness: Protip for Republicans.

Want to win the next election? Stop falsely labeling Obama as a socialist and start correctly calling him an authoritarian.

The guy wipes his ass with civil liberties. Snowden with the NSA & Manning with the war crimes. Expose them and you're done for.

The war on drugs. Guns. Healthcare. Economics. Food. War.

No matter the question, the answer is more control.

I will say the one inconsistency is with gay marriage, which I applaud his position. But it's the exception, not the rule with him and civil liberties.

[dallaswareagle]

In all seriousness: Protip for Republicans.

Want to win the next election? Stop falsely labeling Obama as a socialist and start correctly calling him an authoritarian.

The guy wipes his ass with civil liberties. Snowden with the NSA & Manning with the war crimes. Expose them and you're done for. He supports the war on drugs. Guns. Healthcare. Economics. Food.

No matter the question, the answer is more control.

I will say the one inconsistency is with gay marriage, which I applaud his position. But it's the exception, not the rule with him and civil liberties.

The MSM and his followers want him to be this.

[Townhallsavoy]

The MSM and his followers want him to be this.

I think that's a good point actually.

Start calling him what he really is?  The media would have agreed with you.

"Of course he's authoritative.  He's the president!" 

[AUChizad]

I think that's a good point actually.

Start calling him what he really is?  The media would have agreed with you.

"Of course he's authoritative.  He's the president!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarianism

[AUChizad]

More on authoritarian Obama:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/08/21/white-house-obama-doesnt-favor-medical-marijuana-at-this-point/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost

White House: Obama doesn’t favor medical marijuana ‘at this point’

By Aaron Blake, Published: August 21 at 5:22 pmE-mail the writer

White House deputy press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday that President Obama doesn’t favor changing medical marijuana laws “at this point.”

Several states have moved toward legalizing marijuana — mostly medical but also recreational — and Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently came out in favor of medical marijuana after initially opposing it.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, creating a conflict in states that have moved to legalize it. Earnest said the Obama administration is not targeting individual users in those states.

“The priority in terms of the dedication of law enforcement resources should be targeted toward our drug kingpins, drug traffickers and others who perpetrate violence in the conduct of the drug trade,” Earnest said. “But at the same time, the president does not, you know, at this point advocate a change in the law.”

[GH2001]

In all seriousness: Protip for Republicans.

Want to win the next election? Stop falsely labeling Obama as a socialist and start correctly calling him an authoritarian.

The guy wipes his ass with civil liberties. Snowden with the NSA & Manning with the war crimes. Expose them and you're done for.

The war on drugs. Guns. Healthcare. Economics. Food. War.

No matter the question, the answer is more control.

I will say the one inconsistency is with gay marriage, which I applaud his position. But it's the exception, not the rule with him and civil liberties.

You know you can be both right? Adolph Hitler was although he was technically a fascist. Most socialist dictators throughout history have been authoritarian.

I think you are correct though. For once I agree with the ACLU. It today's world Hamilton and Revere would be in the same boat as Snowden and Manning.

Fwiw, Obama was against gay marriage his entire career until he figured out he needed another block of voters once in office. Then he switched his position.

[WiregrassTiger]

So, it turns out that Manning likely takes it in the butt, willingly. Wants to begin hormone therapy immediately--at tax payer expense I'm sure. And wants people to call him Chelsea. Not making this up. Would you do her?

http://news.yahoo.com/bradley-manning-says-wants-live-woman-120700028.html;_ylt=AgKnpXxl81_V7wrmeiRrOn4JVux_;_ylu=X3oDMTI5MHJiMGMzBG1pdANBVFQgMyBTdG9yeSBKdW1ib3Ryb24gSG9tZSBDYWNoZWQEcG9zAzUEc2VjA01lZGlhQXR0V2lkZ2V0cm9uQXNzZW1ibHk-;_ylg=X3oDMTFkcW51ZGliBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3BtaA--;_ylv=3

[AUChizad]

So, it turns out that Manning likely takes it in the butt, willingly. Wants to begin hormone therapy immediately--at tax payer expense I'm sure. And wants people to call him Chelsea. Not making this up. Would you do her?

http://news.yahoo.com/bradley-manning-says-wants-live-woman-120700028.html;_ylt=AgKnpXxl81_V7wrmeiRrOn4JVux_;_ylu=X3oDMTI5MHJiMGMzBG1pdANBVFQgMyBTdG9yeSBKdW1ib3Ryb24gSG9tZSBDYWNoZWQEcG9zAzUEc2VjA01lZGlhQXR0V2lkZ2V0cm9uQXNzZW1ibHk-;_ylg=X3oDMTFkcW51ZGliBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3BtaA--;_ylv=3

Or he's a genius.

If you're 25 and about to get locked away for until you're 60, would you want to live out the rest of your days showering with a bunch of dudes, or do you want to spend it on the set of Orange is the New Black?

[Saniflush]

Or he's a genius.

If you're 25 and about to get locked away for until you're 60, would you want to live out the rest of your days showering with a bunch of dudes, or do you want to spend it on the set of Orange is the New Black?

I guess you figured this would be your ploy after the pirating trial?

[Snaggletiger]

Mmmm...transgender butt secks

[GH2001]

I guess you figured this would be your ploy after the pirating trial?

Boom

[Townhallsavoy]

Did he have the surgery yet?

Because if not, he should have to take that wig off and live amongst male inmates for his entire sentence. 

[WiregrassTiger]

Or he's a genius.

If you're 25 and about to get locked away for until you're 60, would you want to live out the rest of your days showering with a bunch of dudes, or do you want to spend it on the set of Orange is the New Black?

Hadn't considered this. I guess it could be a genius plan but I don't know how old the pic of him in the wig is or how long he has been trapped in a man's body. I would be ok with this, if he is required to post pics of his tits.

[Tiger Wench]

Hadn't considered this. I guess it could be a genius plan but I don't know how old the pic of him in the wig is or how long he has been trapped in a man's body. I would be ok with this, if he is required to post pics of his tits.

He claims he wants to stay at the men's prison - he doesn't want the surgery, just the hormones.

The Army said Fuck Off, we don't provide either.

Now his attorney says he will force the Army to do it.

His attorney also says he expects Obama to pardon him.

[CCTAU]

Now had this happened on Bush's watch and this guy exposed Bush, he would be hailed by the left as a hero.

[Townhallsavoy]

He claims he wants to stay at the men's prison - he doesn't want the surgery, just the hormones.

The Army said Fuck Off, we don't provide either.

Now his attorney says he will force the Army to do it.

Whether or not I agree with the verdict and the sentence doesn't matter, but I definitely think he's being a little bitch with this.  Gender identity crisis?  Jesus fucking Christ I can't believe we've become sympathetic to such an irrelevant personal issue. 

His attorney also says he expects Obama to pardon him.

As do I.  But not because Obama thinks he's innocent or worthy of being set free.  I think when Obama's term is up, he'll do everything he can to make the youth (see hundreds of thousands of vocal users on websites like Reddit) remember him positively. 

[WiregrassTiger]

Now had this happened on Bush's watch and this guy exposed Bush, he would be hailed by the left as a hero.

If he had exposed bush he would not need the hormone therapy in the first place.

[ssgaufan]

He wants to be a woman

He's going to an all male prison

Pretty sure he's going to get all the dick he's ever wanted