Folks, I don't like what Trump said about Chelsea Manning, but let's be honest with ourselves, it was kinda obvious he felt this way. He once called Snowden, who is and always was more popular than Manning ever was, a "Total Traitor", I don't think it was realistic to expect him to see Manning any more positively.
I also am not convinced that what Manning released was seen in context. It might have been, or what looked like civilians being shot by Apache may have been "blend in with civilian" style terrorists. Not saying they were, just saying I'm not 100% convinced that they weren't, One of them was a journalist, sure, but it's not as if journalists can't ever sympathize with or join terrorists. They're human beings like everyone else.
What I AM convinced of, is that, guilty or not, Manning's horrid treatment in jail was overkill. I am also convinced that Manning meant well, and believed what s/he saw was wrong. I believe that Manning wasn't given a fair trial, and that Manning has suffered enough and deserves to be let out, even if s/he WAS wrong. I MAY feel different on that last one if Manning had been given privileges and wasn't tortured, but that's not what happened.
Lastly, I believe Obama released Manning for the wrong reasons. That is, Manning was released for being trans, and so that Obama could leave office on a high note. Those are NOT the right reasons.
All that said, I'm glad Manning is getting out soon, and hope s/he can live a good life now.
No comments:
Post a Comment