Obama Commutes Manning Sentence

[vortex]

I didn't see this coming.Did anyone?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38659068

[vortex]

I wonder what Mr Assange is thinking...

[jno]

there has been some talk of it. Assange's position is more awkward, since the Swedes want him too. However, since he and Trump seem to be getting on like old buddies, eprhaps his time will come too.

[Togo]

Ohh I love a faux pas, erphaps? Her paps perhaps. :))

[ChillDoubt]

Young Chill informed me there were rumours weeks ago.
Manning is a deeply troubled individual who needs specialist care, not incarceration.

Though IMHO the same mercy ought to be shown to Edward Snowden in order that he may return home.

[mikey4444]

I'm with Chili here....the poor man is not well.

[vortex]

It will be intriguing to learn of the White House's explanation for its decision.

Manning does seem to be a very troubled individual and will no doubt need to be monitored very closely on her release in May.

[mikey4444]

Beg pardon.....this poor woman is not well !

[douglas9401]

Oh dear.

[vortex]

Mikey4444 - you won't have been the first to do that :-)

[andy-hughes]

It's customary for any outgoing President to have a giddy time commuting and pardoning in his last day or so - and the reaction is usually polarised.

So this is no different really.

[mikey4444]

Well, it probably pees off Trump, so its not an entirely wasted gesture !

[ichkeria]

There's no way Snowden will be pardoned. For a start he's never been in a court and is still skulking away in Russia.
I bet Julian Assange may secretly not be best pleased. He once said he'd give himself up to US extradition in return for Manning's release, thinking that the latter was rather unlikely ( and the former has never been overtly threatened either).
Of course it's Swedish extradition he really fears, and that IS still hanging over him.

[ichkeria]

Unfortunate turn of phrase there mikey :-)

[Ellipsis]

Wikileaks posted this on Twitter only last week:

If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/819630102787059713?lang=en

[mikey4444]

Much as I am a tad tied of Assange's continual wittering, he would be a fool to return to the USA, especially with Trump in the offing.

[ichkeria]

I think Assange's greatest fear would be going to the US ... and being completely ignored. His greatest fear after the thought of going to Sweden that is ...
I'm not sure what crime the US could charge him with

[ichkeria]

There is no US extradition request. It's been said a million times but it's worth another try :-)

[jno]

I thought that at the time the Americans (or maybe just some Americans) were talking about espionage charges against Assange? I may be misremembering or it may just have been hot air.

[ichkeria]

Possibly. I can't really see how they could have much of a case. Assange is not a US citizen for one thing. They have not exactly been busting a gut to pursue him. And given that Manning, who was the real source of the original leaks, is about to be pardoned, I'd be astounded if they sent for him now. Life is hard enough for women in the US as it is, bowled over as they must be by the imminent new occupant of the White House. Assange as well would surely be too much :-)