General Raymond T. Odierno
Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
200 Army Pentagon
Washington DC 20310-0200
February 19, 2012
Dear General Raymond Odierno,
I would like to share my appreciation for your service to the United States. Without honorable and courageous individuals like yourself and those who serve with you, our nation would be left defenseless and unable to aid those in need of disaster relief. The brave soldiers who serve in our armed forces voluntarily face physical and mental peril, and these deeds should not go unnoticed. I am writing to call your attention to a particular act of unflinching patriotism that I believe should be rewarded.
Pfc. Bradley Manning has shown true courage at great cost to himself. Like all soldiers, he chose to serve knowing that he may die in combat, but he went above and beyond this duty by choosing to do what was right rather than what would make him popular. If the allegations that he leaked information to Wikileaks are true, he fulfilled his oath to protect and serve the citizens of the United States. Therefore, his actions should be celebrated just as we would recognize the deeds of any courageous service member.
There can be no doubt that the release of the "Collateral Murder" video, "Afghan War Diaries," and diplomatic cables have provided evidence of wrongdoing. As I am sure you agree, criminals should be punished, and any incidence of unlawful behavior, even among members of the military, should be taken very seriously. Because of the United States' involvement in foreign affairs, it is imperative that other nations view our representative organizations as law abiding. If servicemen and women are not held to a lawful standard and are not punished for their crimes, the high esteem in which we are held abroad will diminish.
The information released by Wikileaks and allegedly by Manning has provided the armed forces with an opportunity to prove that we are not a state of warmongers and that our soldiers are imbued with integrity and honor. If we are truly a nation built on a foundation of justice, our military should reflect this conviction, which is why I hope you will show appreciation for Pfc. Bradley Manning's heroism by supporting his release and advocating that the charges against him be dropped. Failure to release Manning and to try those involved in criminal activity sends a message that we do not uphold the values we claim to share with our allies, and it fuels our enemies who seek to prove that we are hypocrites.
Patriots like you must certainly see how actions that infringe on the inalienable rights of citizens like Bradley Manning and that oppose our nation's foundation of laws will weaken the United States. Therefore, I am certain you will choose to uphold our principles and values by supporting the patriotism of Bradley Manning. Thank you again for your continued service.
Respectfully,
Mary Keck
Follow Mary Keck on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Profkeck
bradley manning can be said to have done a brave deed on behalf of the people of the usa. however, most of them despise him and are content to be political cattle. pvt. manning can also be said to have done a brave deed on behalf of the cattle, but will not be rewarded by cattle for not only do they not admire him, they are going to applaud when he is put in a box for life.
america is not a democracy, its people are not citizens save by cynical award from the elite of an empty title. defending manning while flattering its generals is worse than useless, for supporting the structure of society while complaining about its effects is either hypocrisy or ignorance, generally both.
He potentially risked the lives of foreign intelligence sources, about the most serious and damaging treason that can be imagined. There is a reason that intelligence information carries special classifications - so that its handlers should be very careful. While `rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men', wise men are extremely loathe to risk the brutal murder of vital friends of their country, and potentially of those friends' families, and so they tend to follow the rules.
If Manning had released just the cockpit video of the murder of the TV crew, and other such prima facie evidence of war crimes, then he would have had a claim to be acting in the interests of justice. Since he did not, it appears that he has no such claim.
I haven't heard of any murders tied to the release of any of this information nor have I heard of any charges being drawn against those who ordered and carried out these war crimes. On the other hand, Manning who allegedly shared the information has been stripped naked and kept in solitary confinement.
His reward will be life in jail thanks to Obama.
legal or not !
To lie, cheat or steal is not tolerated by the Military Academies, or to tolerate those that do.
Bradley Manning will receive his due, in spite of the Truth !
Courage would have been if PFC Manning had announced to the world "I am Bradley Manning and I am turning over the following information I have on corruption to the world...."
His was an an act of cowardice, treachery and a pitiable plea for attention.