PJ Crowley Resigns After Remarks Bashing Bradley Manning’s Detention
The Guardian via Alternet offers this note on the Bradley Manning pre-trial treatment:
PJ Crowley Resigns After Remarks Bashing Bradley Manning’s Detention
PJ Crowley, the official spokesman at the state department, has fallen on his sword after calling the treatment of Bradley Manning, the alleged source of the WikiLeaks files, “counterproductive and stupid”.
The resignation followed Crowley’s remarks to an MIT seminar last week about Manning’s treatment in military prison.
Crowley had said: “What is being done to Bradley Manning is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid on the part of the department of defence.”
The remarks forced President Obama to address for the first time the issue of Manning’s handling at Quantico marine base in Virginia. Obama defended the way Manning is being treated, saying he had been reassured by the Pentagon that his confinement was appropriate.
In a resignation letter, Crowley said he took full responsibility for his remarks. Though he attacked the leaking of classified information, which he called “a serious crime under US law”, he stood by his earlier criticism of the Pentagon.
In words that could cause further difficulty for Obama, Crowley said his comments “were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership. The exercise of power in today’s challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values.”
Well,
so much for “hope.”
Well at least we know there are still some people with principles in the government. Too bad there’s one less now. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to say that the President is a man of principle, and that is very disturbing. In regards to foreign policy and individual rights I don’t see that Obama has been a big improvement over Bush. At least we expected Bush to fumble on such policy issues.
It should be obvious that Manning is being held incommunicado to prevent him from spilling the beans on the higher ranking co-conspirators in this case.
I don’t think that’s true, but it makes a good rumor. Personally I think it’s just that the US can’t afford to appear strong lately, largely because that would slow the profit taking from dismantling. This kind of garbage just makes us look weak.
“In regards to foreign policy and individual rights I don’t see that Obama has been a big improvement over Bush”
You deserve an honerary degree for your ability to master understatements.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to say that the President is a man of principle”
You could take all the principle in that man in fit in the navel of a gnat and still have room for caraway seeds.
His case should serve as a is a litmus test for those for those who want to be governed by dirtbags operating in the dark, and those who think that openess and transparency sanitizes government.
cursed
“In regards to foreign policy and individual rights I don’t see that Obama has been a big improvement over Bush”
You deserve an honerary degree for your ability to master understatements.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to say that the President is a man of principle”
You could take all the principle in Obama and fit it in the navel of a gnat, and still have room for caraway seeds.
Bradley Manning’s case should serve as a is a litmus test for those for those who want to be governed by dirtbags operating in the dark, and those who think that openess and transparency sanitizes government.
Manning leaked 92,000 classified documents, possibly/probably putting lives of American soldiers and allies at risk. He could be executed for treason. Crowley is worried about him being forced to sleep naked so he doesn’t hang himself? State Dept. publicly criticizing the Dept of Defense? More soft-headed bumbling.
He didn’t “resign” he was “resigned.”
sammy
its good to see you standing up for human rights. and the right of the government to do whatever it wants to individuals.
now tell me more about the “freedom” you are always bellyaching about.
Palin’s number of useful insights could be counted on one finger but it appears she was spot on when she commented referencing Obama and asked “hows that hopey, changey, thingey working out.”
Not well, answered the choir.
Manning realized that he was “actively involved in something that he was totally against”. Private Manning had swore an oath during his enlistee orientation to protect the constitution against enemies both foriegn and domestic. If Private Manning felt our constitution was more imperiled by the War on Terror then by the terrorists themselves then he had no choice but to put this information into public domain. The best way to safeguard American soldiers is for the American people to know the scandalous behaviour of it’s government, and to hold it’s government accountable for waging wars that are not in the interest of the American people.
I have no problem with shooting soldiers who disobey orders, but why is it always the non rates who are scape goated? Just once I’d like to see a flag officer shot.
Better yet how about we shoot the Joseph Goebles of our day.
If Bradley Manning is thought to be guilty of a criminal act then why isn’t he charged and brought to trial. Is it because he would then have to be assigned a defense attorny? Solitary confinement assures what in hhis case. It is tantamount to torture. Obama was supposedly a constitutional law expert. Teacher, teach thyself.
Obama is a man of principle. They are just evil principles.
Interesting how the the Government goes about its business here. Squash the Pvt. while the real perps get to walk. In the Military, it’s always been that way. Someone mentioned a flag officer being shot. Well, perhaps, but then, we wouldn’t have the continueous fiascos that the U.S. has been involved in since W.W.II. Face it, if those same officers can’t figure out how to go to war and come out clean, without wasting treasure, both money & lives, then what can be expected of the ones in charge of the brig? After all, when I enjoyed my time in the service of my country, the officers & enlisted personel that were what was called birg rats, were the dregs of the base units, along with a punishment unit if anyone screwed up. Garbage in, garbage out. I doubt things have changed over the years. Right up to the top, guilty of a coverup.
If it is any consolation, Mccain would not be that much different – possibly worse. Politicians no longer want to lead, they just want to get re-elected. Hopefully in the next election we will get someone with some balls, and a desire to try real change. In the meantime, hopefully Obama can get his NCAA brackets right.
I was a Marine Corps private on multiple occassions. Once when assigned to glorified guard duty, I requested mast, and my commanding officer to his credit encouraged me to write a letter to the commadant of the Marine corps asking that I be placed in a feild unit. The commadant granted that requist.
I would not demean a fellow private and force him to go with out clothes or sleep. The Marines at Quantico who particapate in this chick shit behavior are punks, and should request a transfer to a frontline unit. I hate M.P’s and screws.
Jack – “If Bradley Manning is thought to be guilty of a criminal act then why isn’t he charged and brought to trial. Is it because he would then have to be assigned a defense attorny?“
Do you not do any research before you put up these false claims? Or are your false claims intentional?
PFC Bradley E. Manning has been charged twice. PFC Manning has defense attorneys. PFC Manning has been in pre-trial confinement since 29 May 2010. PFC Manning’s defense attorneys requested in July 2010 that military trial proceedings be delayed pending the results of a determination of Manning’s mental capacity. The latest group of 22 charges filed against PFC Manning on March 2, 2010 will likely result in another request by Manning’s defense attorneys for a further delay in trial proceedings.
Jack – “If Bradley Manning is thought to be guilty of a criminal act then why isn’t he charged and brought to trial. Is it because he would then have to be assigned a defense attorny?”
Do you not do any research before you put up these false claims? Or are your false claims intentional?
PFC Bradley E. Manning has been charged twice. PFC Manning has defense attorneys. PFC Manning has been in pre-trial confinement since 29 May 2010. PFC Manning’s defense attorneys requested in July 2010 that military trial proceedings be delayed pending the results of a determination of Manning’s mental capacity. The latest group of 22 charges filed against PFC Manning on March 2, 2010 will likely result in another request by Manning’s defense attorneys for a further delay in trial proceedings.
It’s obvious that this guy hasn’t received the rule book on how to be a good servent and politican for the elite. Rule number one is never talk about the truth at any time so if the prisoner is catching a beating, brag about the exceptional treatment prisoners in our country receive and talk about how nice we are to the prison population in general next to the rest of the world. Not only will this yield a nice photo opportunity, but it will also show others how a “democracy” is supposed to run…….
I have a relative who holds arabs beneath contempt. One of the many reasons is that when ever he interogates them in the field the arabs always start crying. This is not so much the case with Kurds or Afhgani’s, but Arabs always get uncontrollably emotional, scared.
Do they let the little dude keep his drawers on? Whats with the US military doctrine today that makes it want to strip prisoners? It turns gaurds into sadists, and prisoners into sub humans. That is not the American way.
I don’t mind shooting people who put the lives of US soldiers at risk. Maybee Manning deserves to be shoot, but if we shoot him can we also shoot our very own perfumed hate monger Buff Pilot? He is after all doing his best to incite a religious war, which will put countless thousands of US soldiers at risk. I’m from a long line of Ulster Scots who know how to hate. I hate Catholic priests too the very marrow of my bones. I don’t need any more reasons, or any more groups to hate. Personally between the two I’d rather shoot Buff.
Actually other then Buff pilots counter sign I suspect he is a decent guy. Kinda reminds me of my fly boy brother. I don’t want to see him or anybody else get shot. I also don’t want anything bad to happen to the little PFC who stuck his finger in Goliaths eye.