The conditions that Bradley Manning is living in since his detention in the Wikileaks matter is nothing short of shocking. The isolation and quirky, even outlandish regimen that includes being held for 23 hours daily in solitary confinement and being stripped naked every night for a search is degrading and unnecessary.
Whatever mental state Manning went into confinement with can not have been enhanced with the unwarranted actions that have taken place. This is mental torture, and needs to stop. Manning deserves his constitutional rights, and legal safeguards.
While this blog has remained mostly quiet on Bradley Manning for reasons that I will explain in time, that is all about to change.
The tipping point came abruptly this week when Hillary Clinton’s spokesperson spoke out, and most clearly, on the Manning situation.
Speaking at an MIT seminar in Boston, Assistant Secretary Of State For Public Affairs P.J. Crowley said Manning is being “mistreated” in the military brig at Quantico, Virginia. “What is being done to Bradley Manning is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid on the part of the department of defense,” he said.
While I have concerns about the release of classified information, and stated as such on this blog, it is also a fact that the whole story has not been told about the process in which these leaks took place, or Manning’s role.
Therefore there needs to be a more upfront and truly legal process that places Manning in the judicial system the bulk of my readers came to know in the civics classes of our youth. To continue the treatment of Manning in the way it has been described is a travesty.
President Obama knows better, too.
As one who admire Obama for his intellect I call upon him to employ the constitutional safeguards that all citizens are entitled too in this nation. When it comes to Bradley Manning those safeguards have been slow in reaching this young man.
The President needs to sidestep those in his Administration that want to clamp down hard on Manning for whatever reasons they may be, and insure that all the legal rights afforded to every other citizen also are realized in this case.
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 
I totally agree with you on this, I have been worrying about Manning for a while now. It’s simply revolting to think of the way our own government is treating him, and for what? For releasing a video showing a massacre of innocent people by the very hands of those treating him this way now. And I’m very mad at Obama’s response, he totally dodged a question about Manning at a press conference yesterday.
Why should Manning be treated any better than any other detainee? I don’t think anyone who is imprisoned enjoy their living arrangement. Just because he gets attention from the media does not give him privilege. He made his bed now he needs to lie in it. I’m sorry but there are more important matters to worry about than Manning. Why don’t you go to other prisons and show how he’s been treated differently from any other inmate? Action speaks louder than words. I’m sorry I don’t feel any impiety for this man.
Faye,
Are you kidding me?
Clearly you have no idea what has happened regarding the way he is being treated, or constitutional safegaurds that he has been deprived of. So, yes he is being treated different from others. Also, no one knows the facts of his case. I do not, nor do you. That does not,however, allow him to not have the same legal rights as anyone else.