General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Like it or Not, Bradley Manning is a Traitor [View all]malthaussen
(17,193 posts)Firstly, the Court so ruled. Secondly, the Court established that the info dump did not contain information that put lives at risk. If he had done so, knowingly, then you'd have a case. If he had done so, unknowingly, you'd have a harder case.
His personal life and condition is immaterial to the case and frankly of no interest to me. By referring to it at all you weaken your own case, since it can be construed as a personal attack, an attempt to establish guilt by character assassination. This is beneath dignity to discuss further.
You also have no case if he "could" have released information that endangered fellow soldiers. "Can" and "Could" are too big of words for any court to deal with, nevermind any individual. I "could" accidentally have shot my fellow soldier in the back on patrol, but as I did not, I can be held to no charge.
Lastly, I would argue that an act is only treasonous if it violates the interests of one's country. But the act committed by PFC Manning was clearly in the best interests of our country. Official wrongdoing should be exposed.
-- Mal