Bradley Manning acquitted of aiding enemy but convicted on other charges

[MadImmortalMan]

Are they considering Assange's extradition offer?

[Admiral Yi]

Bad move Barry.

[Liep]

Bad move Barry.

I think he's just trolling at this point.

[Phillip V]

Bullshit.  For the traitorous crime and worldwide consequences, Manning should be in prison for more than just 7 years.

[grumbler]

Bullshit.  For the traitorous crime and worldwide consequences, Manning should be in prison for more than just 7 years.

True, but also for less than 35.  I don't think the president has the power to re-sentence convicted felons, so it was commutation or bust, as far as I can tell.  The interests of justice are better-served by commutation, I think.

[garbon]

Not a fan of this decision.

[KRonn]

Bad idea especially at this time to commute Manning's sentence. With all the talk of intel issues, the massive hacking of US government agencies by China, Russia and others, wikilleaks over the years and especially recently all the angst over the hacking of Podesta and the DNC, this flies in the face of being serious on these issues. I don't understand why this commutation was done. It may even give impetus for others to commit such crimes as they may feel they'll get cover in some circles either for exposing govt secrets or get some leniency for political reasons.

[DGuller]

Like many commutations or pardons, this is probably the right decision on a human level, but bad politics.

[CountDeMoney]

Like many commutations or pardons, this is probably the right decision on a human level, but bad politics.

It doesn't look good--like g said, maybe not long enough, but certainly not 35 years' worth, either--and completely feeds into the "Lock Her Up" paranoia from Der Furor's people, but if it lands Assange, it's a bargain.

Meanwhile, as everybody freaks out over Manning, the Support Our Troops crowd hasn't said anything about--

Obama Pardons James Cartwright, General Who Lied to F.B.I. in Leak Case
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
JAN. 17, 2017

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday pardoned James E. Cartwright, a retired Marine Corps general and former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. about his discussions with reporters about Iran's nuclear program, saving him from a possible prison sentence.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/us/politics/obama-pardons-james-cartwright-general-who-lied-to-fbi-in-leak-case.html

[Neil]

Not sure what I think of this.

At least he's not pardoning Snowden.

Honestly, I'd respect the decision to pardon Snowden more than I did commuting Manning's sentence.  Snowden at least did what he did out of some kind of principle, even if it was futile and old-fashioned.  Manning did what he did out of some kind of homo shit-fit.  They should have hanged him.

[DGuller]

I wonder if Obama did this partly to call Assange's bluff.  Now three things can happen:  Assange gets caught bluffing, Assange gets extradited and convicted, or Assange gets extradited but then cut loose by Trump.  In all cases the bad guys lose freedom or credibility.

[Admiral Yi]

I missed the stuff about Ass Hinge's offer.  Someone fill me in?

[DGuller]

I missed the stuff about Ass Hinge's offer.  Someone fill me in?

Wikileaks tweeted that Assange will allow himself to be extradited to US if Manning's sentence were commuted.

[Berkut]

Not sure what I think of this.

At least he's not pardoning Snowden.

Honestly, I'd respect the decision to pardon Snowden more than I did commuting Manning's sentence.  Snowden at least did what he did out of some kind of principle, even if it was futile and old-fashioned.  Manning did what he did out of some kind of homo shit-fit.  They should have hanged him.

What principle was it exactly that demanded that he provide China and Russia with a list of computers the NSA had successfully penetrated?

[garbon]

Oddly enough, being homosexual is about being a man having sex with a man and not about becoming a woman.