Ray McGovern: Pvt. Manning and Imperative of Truth

[marmar]

Published on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by [font color="blue"]CommonDreams.org[/font]
Pvt. Manning and Imperative of Truth

by Ray McGovern


When I was asked to speak at Saturday’s rally at Fort Meade in support of Pvt. Bradley Manning, I wondered how I might provide some context around what Manning is alleged to have done.

(In my talk, so as not to think I had to insert the word “alleged” into every sentence, I asked for unanimous consent to using the indicative rather than the subjunctive mood.)

What jumped into my mind was the letter Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote from the Birmingham City jail in April 1963, from which I remembered this:

“Like a boil that can never be cured as long as it is covered up, but must be opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must likewise be exposed, with all of the tension its exposing creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured.” ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/12/21-6

[sabrina 1]

1. Ray McGovern is a true patriot. Too bad there are so few of them in these times.

[tblue]

2. Bradley Manning is on the right side of history

and I will never forgive our president for saying "he broke the law" before there was even a trial.

Never.

Thanks for the post, marmar. The war crimes have to stop, and Pvt. Manning was trying to expose them (if he did what he's alleged to have done). That's more than I can say for those who want him imprisoned and/or executed.

[rhett o rick]

3. The treatment of Pfc Manning epitomizes the class war we are deeply involved in.

Cheney, Rove, Libby got nothing for releasing classified information and exposing an active CIA operative. Pfc Manning has already paid a dear price for the release of confidential information that was embarrassing to governments.

The helicopter pilots that brutally and illegally murdered civilians will not be charged but the man that allegedly exposed them will.

The treatment of Pfc Manning is part of the terrorism being used by our own government against Americans. The brutal treatment of OWS is more evidence of terrorism aimed at stifling dissent.

[Mnemosyne]

4. Excellent thread, marmar! McGovern is a very wise man. K&R n/t