Hero or Zero

[sttubs]

In regards to Bradley Manning, a US soldier, that has been accused of taking the files and sending them to wikileaks director Julian Assange. He had access to these through the State department's SIPRNET, The US military and state department internal network, where they are stored. Do you think he's a hero or a criminal? I think he should be tried by the military for treason.

[smoked trout]

While I'm no fan of 'State Secrets', nor the military doing things that we shouldn't all be proud of, what this guy is accused of doing is clearly treason and he should be tried for it by the military.

[Enmore]

They should court-martial the people who created such a crap security system.

[bk94si]

They should court-martial the people who created such a crap security system.

Agreed! and try him for treason.

[AeroSim]

You know, the worst thing that can happen to a soldier in the field is to have their deployment and orders falling into the wrong hands. When you have intel guys passing along information because it doesn't jive with some private crusade- you have to wonder what other information is being passed along. Moreover, the info may mean more to enemies you aren't fighting yet and who are better at interpreting it.

Look, I think some of what gets classed or not is something that needs to be better hammered out by the politicians and brass. I realize that much of the information classed is done so to save political a$$es as much as it is those in the field- but that isn't for intel and commo people to decide. There are other ways to handle such information- inside the system.

You need to feel it if some don't come back because of it. I'd have very little sympathy for Manning if we had to plant some of ours because he got sloppy.

[oralpain]

Where is the "both" option?

Personally, I'd execute him for treason, then make him a hero posthumously. Maybe even give him a medal. Assuming he's guilty, of course.

I do not disagree with what he allegedly did, but I completely understand why the government and military should not tolerate these sort of leaks.

[Meridian]

Has he leaked anything we didn't already know, or be pretty sure of? So far his Specialist Subject seems to have been The Bleedin' Obvious. America spies on the UN? Who'd have though it? Some foreign politicians are corrupt - wow, that's an eye-opener. Etc.


M

[Enmore]

Yes it's all rather petty stuff.

What is interesting is China's private attitude to North Korea. Seems that they may becoming tired of this 'spoilt child' after all. Also that they see NK as a danger and they wouldn't oppose re-unification.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...eunified-korea

[bk94si]

We should go after the NYT also. Traitors...

[madhatter256]

Well he did commit treason by releasing secret documents.

I'm looking forward to the next major leak, which is aimed towards an unnamed US large bank. Hopefully, it will shed light as to what happened to the TARP money, what the plan was from the get-go, etc..

[JustinC939]

Obama promised more transparency in government.

And now we have it........

[Enmore]

We should go after the NYT also. Traitors...

They published these leaks, but wouldn't publish the leaked Climategate emails.

Figures.

[Enmore]

On the now British Prime Minister:

WikiLeaks: Barack Obama regarded David Cameron as 'lightweight'

David Cameron was regarded by Barack Obama as a “lightweight” politician following their first meeting, the leaked documents are to disclose.

By Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor

The American President was underwhelmed after a private discussion with Mr Cameron in 2008 and his impressions of the Conservative leader were reported in a confidential cable sent by US officials back to Washington.

First impressions are usually right. He is a lightweight.

In another cable, Gordon Brown, the former prime minister, is described as “unstable” by London-based US officials. Several documents are said to highlight American concerns over his volatile personality, which made him difficult to deal with.

Smashed tea cups, screaming at staff, childish petulance... yes, again correct.

Other documents say Mr Obama is more interested in “looking east” to building relationships with Asia than in the more traditional links with Britain and Europe.

That's true too.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...ghtweight.html

[tucker]

INTERPOL

Wanted
ASSANGE, Julian Paul

Present family name: ASSANGE
Forename: JULIAN PAUL
Sex: MALE
Date of birth: 3 July 1971 (39 years old)
Place of birth: TOWNSVILLE, Australia
Language spoken: English
Nationality: Australia

Categories of Offences: SEX CRIMES
Arrest Warrant Issued by: INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTION OFFICE IN GOTHENBURG / Sweden

http://www.interpol.int/public/data/...2010_52486.asp

Well I guess that’s better than having the CIA or Al-Qaida on your tail. I get a strange feeling this guy might wake up dead one morning in the near future or maybe unexpectedly disappear forever. Going after the banks just might be a step too far.

[Enmore]

Whether he did it or not, people are going to see this as a CIA stitch up.

Better hope that he's not hit by a bus, some scaffolding falls on his head etc or no one is going to believe it's an accident.