Fair treatment for Bradley (Wikileaks) Manning?

[birdie1971]

Bradley Manning, the original source of the recent Wikileaks scandal, is currently being held in detention for stealing 720,000 documents. He has not yet had his case heard by a court.

He is being held in solitary confinement in a maximum security prison and shackled by the arms and legs during any visits.

Fair treatment for the alleged crime or unjustified cruelty?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ld-us-canada-12728315
http://www.amnesty.or...ails.asp?NewsID=19193

[Quizmonster]

For crying out loud, HabDabs, America's enemies posted an Internet video of one of them hacking an American prisoner's head off! And here you are decrying a soldier in a military prison being shackled. Get real!

[jackthehat]

I shouldn't think anyone believes that he be allowed to 'drift about freely' in prison whilst awaiting trial........but it does seem unnecessarily punitive to keep him shackled. His crime was not 'physical' where is could be reasonably assumed that keeping him pinioned would prevent further assaults.

[Quizmonster]

Jack, according to an American government spokesman, Manning's conditions are perfectly legal and in accordance with US military prison regulations. We may not agree with that view, but - as I've already said - it's really none of our business.
Not so long ago, we had actors' voices on news broadcasts so that we could claim we were not hearing terrorists' ones! Americans may well have thought that absurd...I certainly did... but we still did it.

[jackthehat]

The USA certainly have the right to treat their prisoners like that, I think most of us would agree...

I just don't believe it is necessary and it illustrates how petulant they can be in certain matters.

[joggerjayne]

That has always been the way with Authoritarian regimes posing as Democracies.

Dare to question our regime, and you will suffer !!

nb. He would be treated much better if he had done something "less serious" ...

... like mass murdering a classroom full of children for example.

[Quizmonster]

Oh dear, oh dear! What can one say?

[joggerjayne]

Quizmonster ...

Evidently, one cannot say too much.

If one does ... one will be arrested on some spurious charge.

By the way, in the US, is there an offence of "Catching The Government With It's Trousers Down" ?

[Quizmonster]

There you go, you see, Jayne..."spurious charge". People have been at pains to tell me that I am the one jumping the gun by prejudging guilt. I have certainly made it clear that I will be happy to accept whatever verdict the American court decides upon, but isn't that exactly the reverse of what YOU have done with your 'spurious'?

[jackthehat]

The USA has the same legal presumption of 'Innocent until proven guilty' as here in UK; and as Bradley Manning is therefore still *innocent*, surely his present confinement is sufficient ?

[joggerjayne]

Quizmonster ...

I think the whole point of WikiLeaks was that they showed how little you can trust ... or believe ... the US authorities.

If you believe that BM will get a fair trial, you can't have read the WikiLeaks revelations.

The evidence against BM will not show the facts...

... it will show EXACTLY what the US authorities want it to show.

Then, the authorities will say ... he had a fair trial, and was found Guilty.

And now, there is nobody around to expose what a pile of poop that will be.

Why not?

Because the Government that believes in "free speech" has gagged them !

[Quizmonster]

I'm perfectly happy with "his present confinement" and all it entails, Jack. It's others who are whingeing about it.

[joggerjayne]

Exposing lies and corruption does not, in itself, amount to corruption.

[Quizmonster]

Jayne, given that the wikileaks are already "out there", as you yourself state, how do you imagine they will get away with evidence that (quote) "will show EXACTLY what the US authorities want it to show"? Won't ANYONE spot the discrepancies?

[joggerjayne]

Trouble is, Quiz ... it all goes on behind the scenes.

There is no "innocent until proven guilty" here.

If BM gets off ... the US Govt will look stupid.

So ... they are gonna NAIL him!

They will not entertain ANY discussion to the contrary.

Example ...

Hilary Clinton's spokesman, PJ Crowley, sensibly pointed out that the treatment of BM was "counterproductive and stupid" – and, hey presto ... he had to resign. He DARED to suggest that BM should be treated fairly, so Hilary C, one of the worst WikiLeaks offenders, hung him out to dry.

The same will happen to BM. The Govt will do whatever it takes to nail his butt.

[Quizmonster]

Jayne, Crowley also "sensibly pointed out" that he felt Manning was "where he ought to be". Given that that is "in a military prison", Crowley should now be fighting to ensure that the conditions in such establishments are modified.
But that has nothing whatsoever to do with whether Manning will get a fair trial. If he's found guilty...I repeat, if he's found guilty...I devoutly hope he WILL have his butt nailed, as you put it.

[joggerjayne]

Crowley can't fight for ANYTHING any more.

Hilary Clinton made sure of that.

That's Hilary "Trustworthy" "Can You Steal The Ambassador's Password For Me" Clinton.

[Aqualung]

Well said Jayne how can anyone trust the government, all bent as nine bob notes or as they say in America a nine dollar bill.

[jackthehat]

QM - You've already said that you are perfectly happy with the manner of his incarceration........several of 'us', however, are merely seeking to ask why when he is already held i custody, he should be subject to additional humiliation by such shackling...

I object to your use of the word 'whingeing' to describe a perfect legitimate line of questioning.

You are confusing his alleged sins with the manner in which he is being kept.

[joggerjayne]

Aqualung ...

That's an AD/DC cover ... (err, obviously)

But "Aqualung" is by Jethro Tull.

Are you covering all the bases there?

=0)

And trust the Govt?

Now?

LOL, LOL, LOL

[Quizmonster]

Since when, Jayne, has a man who resigned from a government post been barred from "fighting for" his beliefs? I'm sure there must be an American equivalent of the Prison Reform Society he could join and become a leading light in. He'd hit the top there running, if he joined right now!

Jack, the reason Manning is shackled, as I've already made clear, is because that is what American military prison regulations allow for people in his circumstances. The authorities may even see it as an aspect of preventing him from harming himself in the same way as suggested by my earlier response about underpants/flip-flops as suicide devices.