Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has been held in detention in Alexandria,
VA for the last two months on “contempt” charges for refusing to testify
against WikiLeaks. On Monday, her legal team issued a new legal argument seeking release.
The argument is seen in an 8-page legal filing,
which at its core is that she is never going to testify against
WikiLeaks, and that subsequently there is no legal basis for keeping her
and demanding she do so anymore.
This appears to be accurate, based on federal law. The law only requires
open-ended contempt detentions, like the one Manning is in, if there is
reason to believe that there is a chance the detention will eventually
coerce the detainee into testifying. Thus, if Manning will never
testify, there is no legal basis to keep her.
This is going to be a difficult legal battle, despite what the law says,
because judges depend on these detentions to coerce people into
testifying. If the letter of the law also becomes legal precedent, that
people who won’t testify can be released, it will make the illegal
threat of open-ended detentions that much weaker.
In addition to the argument for release, the legal filing details, in
Manning’s own words, her worsening health, her lack of medical access,
and suffering symptoms of prolonged isolation described by the UN
Special Rapporteur on Torture.
I am impressed by her courage and steadfastness.
Depending on the non-existent charity of the evil empire…?????? Perhaps the better strategy would be to testify, and turn the proceeding into a farce. “I’m not sure what he said or did, but I am sure God would approve” They have some wicked machine that makes people do & say things against their own will…..!!!!!
I’m not particularly endeared to sexual deviants, but, I’m 100% endeared to heroes like Ms. Manning.
You go girl, or, guy, or, whatever.
I am transgender and I approve of this politically incorrect statement.
What’s politically incorrect about it?
Some trans people might take offense to being described as “sexual deviants”. I’ll have you know that my sexual deviancy has nothing to do with my gender identity.
Best of luck to you, Comrade. It’s not going to be easy.
It hasn’t been so far and I have no reason to expect that to change now. Same to you. I think we’re on the same side, for better or worse.
Agreed.
Yes, some people might take offense to being described as “sexual deviants.” But Mr. Walters stopped short of specifically describing anyone as that.
And taking offense is not the same thing as being entitled to take offense. A “deviant” is a nonconformist or someone who departs from usual or accepted standards. My first live-in relationship was definitely sexually deviant (it departs from usual or accepted standards to graduate from high school and then shack up with your senior year Spanish teacher). That doesn’t mean it was evil or wrong or bad. Just deviant.
God, Tom, what are you, my high school English teacher?
Speaking of which, what are you doing tonight?
Hopefully I’m sleeping tonight — full day today. Why, what’s up?
I was coming on to you like your Spanish teacher but you totally blew it.
My Spanish teacher was a disaster — besides, you’re a lesbian, remember?
Yep, PC isn’t my strong point. But bravery and commitment to values is.
My kids have felt the knobby peach tree switch for lack of conformance to values. But one of my kids, my son…, has never been chastised or felt the switch for his sexual preferences.
He’s a great kid. And, he lives up to the values I taught them all. So, that’s a cool outcome for me and the wife.
I just don’t want to hear the details of his romances, OK?
Takes all types.
Land of the free.
Another factor is that she reasonably fears the government will act in bad faith. Specifically, no matter what she truthfully testifies, the government will disbelieve it and prosecute her for perjury.
Chelsea is the toughest bitch on two legs.
“Bitch” isn’t a term I’d ever use online, Comrade.
Ha! Touche. Though I consider myself to be a proud bitch. Context is everything.