Now I've said this before, but Bradley Manning broke the law by releasing military documents. He probably deserves to be tried and found guilty of at least that.
That said, it behooves us as a nation to treat him, a fellow citizen with respect. Hell, as a nation we should treat everyone in our custody as we would a human being we honor and cherish. Not because we are soft, but because we are better. Better than anyone who considers us an enemy. Better than folks like Mr. Manning, who find us lacking in character at this moment in time.
Even when we are flawed, how we treat those in our custody should be irreproachable.
Which, frankly, in this case, does not appear to be true.
More on the situation .
Also, State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley was forced out of his job for calling this style of imprisonment "stupid". Good for him for speaking out. Poor form by the President for letting this kind of thing still happen under the Stars and Stripes.
We don't have to stoop to the level of our enemies to win. We don't have to treat those who respect the truth over orders as the enemy. We don't have to be stupid at a time when only our wits and advantages will win the day.
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