Assuming the government proves its case... Manning is most definitely NOT a hero! He took an oath when he joined the army, and he broke it, quite blatantly. Someone with a LOT higher clearance than a private made the decision to classify those documents. It was not up to Manning to decide to release them. And there is NO WAY that he read all the hundreds of thousands of pages of information he sent out. At best, he willfully disregarded the best interests of this country. At worst, it could be treason.

And no, this doesn't fall under whistle-blower protection. A true whistle blower has identified a specific wrong and is unable to seek redress through normal channels. Manning acted like a spoiled little kid - he didn't like something so, instead of even trying to go through proper channels to bring his concerns to light, he just decided to spew out classified information for the world at large. Those are the actions of a brat, not a patriot.

In addition to an oath he signed one of these:

1. Intending to be legally bound, I hereby accept the obligations contained in this Agreement in consideration of my being granted access to classified information. As used in this Agreement, classified information is marked or unmarked classified information, including oral communications, that is classified under the standards of Executive Order 12958, or under any other Executive order or statute that prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of information in the interest of national security; and unclassified information that meets the standards for classification and is in the process of a classification...
3. I have been advised that the unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized retention, or negligent handling of classified information by me could cause damage or irreparable injury to the United States or could be used to advantage by a foreign nation. I hereby agree that I will never divulge classified information to anyone...
4. .....In addition, I have been advised that any unauthorized disclosure of classified information by me may constitute a violation, or violations, of United States criminal laws, including the provisions of Sections 641, 793, 794, 798, *952 and 1924, Title 18, United States Code, * the provisions of Section 783(b), Title 50, United States Code, and the provisions of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982. I recognize that nothing in this Agreement constitutes a waiver by the United States of the right to prosecute me for any statutory violation....

If he is a hero then he ought to man up and take what he knew would be coming.

Won't he be surprised when he goes to trial expecting all kinds of "occupiers", assorted anarchists and those who know nothing about the UCMJ to be protesting for him and he is greeted by little more than the sound of crickets. They've all gone chasing the next shiny thing ("Look a squirrel!"). The last thing that he sees will be a panel of real Americans, and they won't be hemming and hawing about "ruining his future" or spewing any of the other morally relativistic arguments which are in fashion these days. They will be introducing to this young boy the concepts of loyalty, duty, honor etc. and what "consequence" really means. He has probably never had to suffer a real consequence in his lackadaisical, always striving for mediocracy, self-entitled little existence. I hope that he and his supporters understand the difference between "fame" and "infamy".

Since when is violating American securuty interests outweighed by personally held beliefs in the rigthteousness of transparency? Since when is a pvt. who commits treason against his country and his superiors "justified" on moral grounds? Since when does transparency justify the embarrasment and real tangible cost of treason? If Manning had a problem he should have discussed it in the proper chain of command. The magnitude of this crime deserves capital punishment. Next we need to pursue Mr. Assange. His crime against the United States is just as serious and just as intentionally malicious.

Munchkin -

"Protect and Serve" is the policeman's motto.

"This We'll Defend" is the Army's.

Granted, but his branch is a descendant of the Army Security Agency and their motto was "don't shoot, I know secrets."

ASA: "Vigilant Always."

Granted, but his branch is a descendant of the Army Security Agency and their unofficial motto was "don't shoot, I know secrets."

Fixed it for you. Used to be able to say that in Russian. :p

Except I think the prison should be Iraqi. I think they have standing in this case also.

Manning is going to prison. Maybe you can visit him there.

Or you can wait until 6 months before his release and see him sacking groceries at the Ft. Leavenworth Commissary for tips.

Roberta,

God's word says to obey your masters and the laws of the land. God has placed leaders in charge. A private's job is to follow orders without question, not debate or question them. It is the officers that get paid to think. That is just the way it is. It is called "military discipline." At no time are you free to "go public" with classified information.

Their not mean. Its just tough love.