Letter to an American Hero

Letter to an American Hero (Full Version)

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Brain -> Letter to an American Hero (7/29/2010 10:44:02 PM)
People have strong views about this man’s actions. I hope it all works out so justice will be done. Letter to an American Hero By JOHN GRANT Inmate PFC Bradley Manning TFCF - Theater Field Confinement Facility APO AE 09366 USA Dear PFC Manning: The New York Times just reported on 92,000 classified military field reports from Afghanistan that graphically underscore what a demoralizing mess that war is. The leaked material has stirred new opposition in Congress to funding the war, and WikiLeaks is now seen by many as a much needed instrument to crack open the grip that secrecy has on the truth in America. The point is such leaks are finally fueling robust debate over the war in Afghanistan. And the leak you are alleged to have made that resulted in WikiLeak’s web video "Collateral Murder" was the beginning of it all. I’m a veteran who worked in radio intelligence in Vietnam. I was a radio direction finder in the Army Security Agency, the service wing of the National Security Agency. The ASA was disbanded in 1973, and its activities were assumed by various intelligence commands. The technology has changed, but we’re still fed so much bullshit as we grow up. We each so want to fit in and to be a man, and all that crap. But for some of us, after following all the rules and staying within the lines, one day it dawns on us: what we’re involved in doesn’t make any sense. We’re smack in the middle of it, we’re smart and we realize we’re part of something based on lies told to cover up other lies and screw-ups and embarrassments – all to keep the war going. It’s so big, if you question it, you don’t stand a chance. It’s all in the video, and it’s not something the Pentagon or the White House wants American tax-payers to see. The engagement in this video is not about democracy, “nation building” or helping Iraqis improve their lives. It’s about a lopsided kind of killing – like shooting fish in a barrel. The shame and embarrassment factor is why this video was classified “secret.” There’s no good reason why the American people should not see such video material. The fact that videos like this make it harder to defend and fund the war is not a good reason to censor it. Of course, it may be naïve of me to think this letter will even be allowed to reach you. Yours in solidarity, John Grant NOTE: Readers are encouraged to write PFC Bradley Manning at the APO address above. You can find other ways to help Manning by going to the Help Bradley Manning website. JOHN GRANT is a founding member of the new independent, collectively-owned, journalist-run online newspaper ThisCantBeHappening.net. His work, and that of colleagues Dave Lindorff, Linn Washington, and Charles Young, can be found at www.thiscantbehappening.net http://www.counterpunch.com/grant07282010.html [image]local://upfiles/392475/5FF8C9E2A3794668B1405C7BB9A0DA7D.jpg[/image]

Lordandmaster -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/29/2010 10:45:18 PM)
Oh, it's the world-famous BRADASS87. I know that I wouldn't have done what he did, but I do respect him for doing what he thought was right. He's in deep shit though.

E3 -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/29/2010 11:34:08 PM)
The term "american hero" has been used many times in american history. As an outsider, but close enough to "hear" alot (being in Canada) we can see both with americanized eyes (tv stations and news media in general) and with a more open world view (CBC being a new station that is often compared to the BBC for quality and neutrality, though there are a few times it falls short). There was an american soldier who shot and killed several Canadians durring the Afganistan war. And thanks to political pressure, the man was court martialed, and dishonorably discharged. So according to news reports (BBC ones at that), his town, county, and I am not sure if his state or not, declared him a hero in defiance of the military discharge he was given. Definately NOT a man to look up to, yet people did so. These series of wars have driven americans to forget what the USA was built on. It was built on goverment guiding, being open and transparent, to keep the hand of government light on its people, and to leave the power over governance, in the hands of the people. To be everything the British Empire, at the time, was not. Is the Patriot Act the "light hand of government"? Seems pretty heavy handed to me. Is the government detaining you on suspicion without any actual proof, denieing you your right to appear before a judge in due time as they attempt to make a case against you, and classifying it all under "a matter of national security" to validate these breaches of civil liberties freedom? Its more repressive than the British Empire was in north america, I'm sure of that. The USA is not living up to the ideals it was founded under. What this man did.. was hold true to those ideals. To the very ideals each and every american swears allegience to. America, the good side of it.. is the ideals. The badside of it, is the regime in power. And the regime is trying to stamp out the ideals. Men like this, fight to defend you with more weapons than just bullets. So is this man an American Hero? Yes. And not a media one. But a true one. Just some things to think on.

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:13:37 AM)
This man has almost certainly gotten Americans and Afghan allies, civilian and military, killed. He is a traitor to his country, his oath, and his uniform. I hope he rots in prison and dies crying like the punk he is.

Owner59 -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:21:10 AM)
Hang`m.

Jeffff -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:25:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: truckinslave This man has almost certainly gotten Americans and Afghan allies, civilian and military, killed. He is a traitor to his country, his oath, and his uniform. I hope he rots in prison and dies crying like the punk he is. Yes, just like Ollie North and whoever is responsible for outing Valerie Plame.

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:30:37 AM)
quote: Yes, just like Ollie North and whoever is responsible for outing Valerie Plame. Let's see.... They identified Richard Armitage as the one who named Valerie Plame and determined it wasn't a crime. They tried Colonel North but I don't rmember what he was guilty of. Let me google. Oh. Yes. Nothing. So, not so much. You really should get over Ollie. I'm not fond of Fonda, but I'm over it.

Jeffff -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:50:07 AM)
So violating his oath to up hold the constituion and then sending arms to Iran secretly is nothing. And if outhing a CIA agent isn't a crime, neither is this.

Owner59 -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 6:50:41 AM)
It was dick That`s why dick`s top aid got convicted of obstruction of justice. Because scooter obstructed justice by shielding dick. That`s why dick was pissed at bush, for not pardoning libby. The "let`s see" bullshit is your con talking points to cover your coward asses. A real republican wouldn`t stand for that shit no matter who`s party was involved. This is what divides real republicans from the neo-conservative-jerk-off-no-values robots.

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 7:01:48 AM)
quote: It was dick yes it was- Dick Armitage, as he admitted, here: "Armitage admitted to CBS News last week that he had inadvertently revealed Plame's identity to journalists Bob Woodward and Bob Novak". Scooter was the worst case of prosecutorial conduct since the Duke Lacrosse case. Patrick knew Armitage was the leaker before he questioned Scooter. The one showing a lack of values was Bush, for not giving Scooter an immiediate pardon

Owner59 -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:05:44 AM)
That`s how I feel about dick. But somehow he`s above the law.

domiguy -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:12:37 AM)
Too bad truckinslave can't fire Manning. If you were not paying attention you seem to be in good company. Cuckyman agrees with you. If that doesn't make you realize what people must think of you, nothing will.

cuckyman -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:19:42 AM)
The country has been witness to the drone of a lying spin machine media....a government out of control and drunk with power.... that has proven itself to be nothing more than totally inept at doing anything right but spending tax dollars like a bunch of drunken sailors on shore leave.... November comes and the dismissal of the democrat congress is the first step to bring this government down... Obama's legecy will be to be the first aniti-American President to ever hold office, and he will take his rightful place alongside Jimmy Carter as the most inept and lame turd to ever being elected... This nation is about one thing.... freedom... something the democrat socialist loathe and fear the most.... but once unleashed, this movement will sweep these socialist turds out for good.... The November elections are now less than 100 days away, and the demopukes are busy crossing the land spinning their lies and yelling in unison.... too stupid to realize that a child can see thru their willingness to do or say anything to hold power.... for in the end, its all about them having power.... and that power is out of juice.... out of credibility....and out of time..... These turds are the last of the 60's radicals and their 'revolution' has been exposed for what it is..... communism...pure and simple..... and it is going to end...either by the ballot....or by the gun....either way, their reign is OVER! Only then will we return to being the place for the world to see how a free society is the only way to a future that will provide the means for us all to prosper and realize the dream of social and economic freedom..... and that does not include a suffocating, bloated, and incomptent government that has spent this nation into record debt and the most challenging time in our history..... we will win.... and those that doubt that will show themselves to be the fools that they truely are...... for real....the last resort is to yell 'Racism'!! ...but that dog is dead...and dead dogs just don't hunt bitches...... bring on November....ahhhhh.... cooler weather....democrats being thrown out on their lying asses, and football..... just doesn't get any better than that!!

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:20:48 AM)
quote: Too bad truckinslave can't fire Manning. If it were but legal to do so, I'd be more than happy to try to fire him up. Take my shot, so to speak.

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:22:19 AM)
quote: he will take his rightful place alongside Jimmy Carter as the most inept and lame turd to ever being elected... Actually, and not to quibble, really, but that would be "... ahead of Jimmy....."

mnottertail -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 8:31:38 AM)
Uhhhhhhhhh, cuck. People up north have guns too. This is America.

Moonhead -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 9:00:42 AM)
Maybe they have nightmares about McCain winning the last election if they're liberals?

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 9:11:18 AM)
quote: How so? Stay tuned for the trial. That will clue you in as to his crimes. A dictionary can clue in to the difference between "a traitor" and "one who commits treason".

thompsonx -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 11:00:09 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: truckinslave He is a traitor to his country, his oath, and his uniform. quote: How so? quote: Stay tuned for the trial. That will clue you in as to his crimes. A dictionary can clue in to the difference between "a traitor" and "one who commits treason". So this is your way of saying that you do not know?

truckinslave -> RE: Letter to an American Hero (7/30/2010 11:05:27 AM)
quote: So this is your way of saying that you do not know? No. It's my way of saying: 1. You used them as though they were interchangeable, and 2. They are not

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