By Kevin Gosztola / Firedoglake / The Dissenter
As the trial of Pfc. Bradley Manning is about to begin at Fort Meade, Maryland some US media outlets are rediscovering his case and posting “rundowns” so Americans can understand what will be happening at the trial.
NBC News’ “rundown” stated:
This much is undisputed: Manning, while serving in Iraq, stole U.S. diplomatic cables and other military documents. While on leave in Maryland in 2010, he began sending them to WikiLeaks.
That it is “undisputed” that he “stole” cables or military documents could not be more false. He has not pled guilty to any of the five specifications or counts he faces, which allege that he stole, purloined or knowingly converted the information.
Manning did generally plead guilty to unauthorized possession of the information and willfully communicating it to a person who was unauthorized to receive it, but because Manning had access to all of the documents he was alleged to have released while he was working as an intelligence analyst at Forward Operating Base Hammer in Baghdad, Iraq.
Erin McClam, the staff writer for NBC News who wrote the story, should know that is not true that it is “undisputed” Manning “stole” documents because she later notes that prosecutors are pressing “forward on the more serious charges,” which include larceny.
There is a legal disagreement between the government and defense over whether what Manning did constitutes stealing and the judge will ultimately decide whether he, in fact, stole the documents.
But much more problematic is the level of discourse around the Manning case that NBC News and other establishment media outlets are promoting by presenting this story as being about those who think Manning is a hero versus those who think Manning is a traitor.
On the one hand, it is lazy on the part of media to frame it in this way and a reflection of how little those producing these stories may or may not know about what happened during the pretrial process.
Also, as Denver Nicks, author of Private: Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks and the Biggest Exposure of Official Secrets in American History, told TIME just over a year ago,”The more conversations we have about Bradley Manning in which neither of these largely meaningless buzzwords is said, the better off we’ll be as a country.”
When considering how President Barack Obama’s administration has investigated and prosecuted a record number of whistleblowers or alleged leakers, whether Manning is a hero or traitor is unimportant. What of the information that he disclosed did the public have a right to know? What about the legal argument behind the “aiding the enemy” charge or the fact that he is being charged with violating the Espionage Act, as if he were a spy?
In order to maintain “objectivity” or “balance,” NBC News and other establishment outlets shy away from pursuing these critical questions, the very questions they should be exploring given the fact that, in two separate leak investigations, the Justice Department is now known to have seized the Associated Press’ phone records and also investigated Fox News reporter as if he were a “co-conspirator.” But, just because this case did not involve a source going to a traditional media organization with government documents does not mean there is no good reason to focus on what it could mean for the press if Manning is convicted of the more serious federal charges, particularly the “aiding the enemy” charge.
Originally Posted at Firedoglake /For up to minute reports on the trial of Bradley Manning, See Firedoglake’s coverage
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Another claim against Manning and Wikileaks often mentioned without any attempt by its author to provide evidence: hundreds (or thousands, depending on who’s talking) of people’s live were put in “harm’s way” (some will even say those people actually died) because of what the State Department cables revealed. This is one of those memes churned out by paid experts who graduated with a degree in conservatism and went to work for the Republiklans. Repetition doesn’t prove anything.
“Repetition doesn’t prove anything.”
Hmm…
” Republiklans. ”
And here I was just a few more instances away from believing all Republicans were racists.
On the topic, yes I guess if one lives in a state of complete denial one can imagine that only the United States is crafty and cunning enough to compile intelligence about our enemies, who gives them information, and only we intimidate and threaten these people.
It’s worked for those who believe Salvadore Allende was the legitimately elected President of Chile, and we were the only bad guys there, why not now?
In a sense I actually don’t completely condemn Manning’s actions, I do feel that while criminal and irresponsible. events such as these keep the government at large in check, knowing that some accountability will come and in time, things do get revealed.
Without ever forgetting, however, that in a different time and place, or a different side, that boy would have- and should have- had a bullet put in the back of his head and kicked into an unmarked grave, as has been done a thousand times before to others.
I expect you to strongly disagree, but that’s the funny thing here- civilians have no influence on matters of military justice, he will walk or hang by the UCMJ. Concepts you live by such as individual rights, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, have no place in the military and are usually detrimental to the success of the institution and its missions.
The military really is, with its brutality, its rites and rituals, the necessary evil that affords the luxury of freedoms we enjoy.