Manning trial to set precedent on what "aid to the enemy" means.

[McGrupp]

I dunno. I'm not sure there was any scenario where he was getting off free. A larger public reaction wasn't going to free him now that this was national news. They've dug in their heels on this.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Yeah, the US Military is a different sort of mentality entirely. What can you do to pressure them? It's not like they're running for office or have to ask you for a donation. They're getting paid one way or the other.

[Doktor Howl]

Yeah, the US Military is a different sort of mentality entirely. What can you do to pressure them? It's not like they're running for office or have to ask you for a donation. They're getting paid one way or the other.

Also, Obama can't be reelected, and everyone will have forgotten the kid by the end of his administration.

[Junkenstein]

Also, if he had been given the death sentence for that, it might actually get a real change on that front too. There seems to potentially be a lot of groups that would work with each other if this went really fucking wrong.

You don't understand US military justice.  They wouldn't care, they'd just kill the kid.

Probably quite correct. It would need to be a massive campaign to even stand a chance of something happening. I doubt the required scale is going to (Or even could) happen. I'm pretty sure there are instances of military justice ruling being overturned by popular opinion, though very few and far between. Thinking about it, I don't think any were US either. Tended to be places where justice is a little more flexible. By flexible, I mean corrupt.

[Junkenstein]

Yeah, the US Military is a different sort of mentality entirely. What can you do to pressure them? It's not like they're running for office or have to ask you for a donation. They're getting paid one way or the other.

Also, Obama can't be reelected, and everyone will have forgotten the kid by the end of his administration.

I think that's the goal and part of the reason for the ruling. Too punitive and people remember.

[Doktor Howl]

I'm pretty sure there are instances of military justice ruling being overturned by popular opinion, though very few and far between. Thinking about it, I don't think any were US either.

They let Michael Calley go. 

[Doktor Howl]

Yeah, the US Military is a different sort of mentality entirely. What can you do to pressure them? It's not like they're running for office or have to ask you for a donation. They're getting paid one way or the other.

Also, Obama can't be reelected, and everyone will have forgotten the kid by the end of his administration.

I think that's the goal and part of the reason for the ruling. Too punitive and people remember.

Yeah, ask Leonard Peltier about that.

[Junkenstein]

2 Google searches and a quick skim and I see it's time to SHUT UP and read more. Again.

Thanks Gents, much appreciated.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

Not sure if like.

[Doktor Howl]

Interesting.  Everyone wanted the kid to get the death penalty, so people would be 'outraged'.

NEWS FLASH:  53% of the country would throw the switch themselves.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Interesting.  Everyone wanted the kid to get the death penalty, so people would be 'outraged'.

NEWS FLASH:  53% of the country would throw the switch themselves.

It is a disturbing thought, that right there.

Sure, martyrdom is effective, but is it preferable? I think not.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

It's easy to expect someone else to play the martyr if you don't have to.

Twid,
Never saw any news reports of bin Ladin with a suicide bomb vest

[Doktor Howl]

It's easy to expect someone else to play the martyr if you don't have to.

Twid,
Never saw any news reports of bin Ladin with a suicide bomb vest

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Thanks, Dok. It is an important bit to remember though. It's good that he's not getting executed.

[Junkenstein]

Interesting.  Everyone wanted the kid to get the death penalty, so people would be 'outraged'.

NEWS FLASH:  53% of the country would throw the switch themselves.

The worst thing is, I KNEW this and still considered it as some kind of possible "positive" outcome.

I guess it's just reaching for a way for shit to somehow get better for the kid rather than being utterly and totally fucked.