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

[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.

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.

Well, if he's alive, he can be pardoned or commuted later.

Also, the administration cannot now just invent new meanings for "aiding the enemy".

This was the best possible outcome, in this particular world.

[Cain]

The espionage charge is bad enough on it's own.  100 years in prison, possibly.

Furthermore, it's bullshit.  Unfortunately, the espionage act has a long history of being used against whistleblowers providing information to the press.

[Doktor Howl]

The espionage charge is bad enough on it's own.  100 years in prison, possibly.

Furthermore, it's bullshit.  Unfortunately, the espionage act has a long history of being used against whistleblowers providing information to the press.

Well, here's the thing:  He'll still be alive.  There's at least the hope that they will pull a Calley on him and spring him later via clemency.

[Cain]

Yeah, though I would advise Manning not to hold his breath in regards to that.  Since a "Democratic" President did it, there will be little mandate to rectify it among the party, and the Republicans, as we know, are even more batshit insane when it comes to things like this.  Maybe if Obama ends up going too far and discrediting himself...though given the shit the Democrats have gleefully swallowed up until now, I suspect that there is actually nothing he could do which would cause his policies to be disavowed.

[Junkenstein]

Paranoid lunatic angle - Could this decision have something to do with the alleged actions against Assange? Something like if they went guilty on that count they need to ID "The enemy" which could/may result in Assange's or similar names coming into proceedings?

Just thinking that now that this is effectively dealt with, the resources and pressure can be shifted.

[Cain]

That was certainly part of it.  Though part of it is also vindictiveness at not being able to get at Assange.  Manning therefore becomes his proxy, and they act out on him what they'd like to do with Assange.

[Don Coyote]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

[Doktor Howl]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

[Doktor Howl]

That was certainly part of it.  Though part of it is also vindictiveness at not being able to get at Assange.  Manning therefore becomes his proxy, and they act out on him what they'd like to do with Assange.

He says some shit about Assange, my money is they reduce his sentence.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

That was certainly part of it.  Though part of it is also vindictiveness at not being able to get at Assange.  Manning therefore becomes his proxy, and they act out on him what they'd like to do with Assange.

He says some shit about Assange, my money is they reduce his sentence.

That would be interesting, and not surprising.

[Don Coyote]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

pissed he isn't getting executed.

[Doktor Howl]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

pissed he isn't getting executed.

at your mates.

[Don Coyote]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

pissed he isn't getting executed.

at your mates.

there  are people in my unit I wouldn't piss on of they were on fire while telling them to stop choosing to be on fire and expecting government handouts.

[Doktor Howl]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

pissed he isn't getting executed.

at your mates.

there  are people in my unit I wouldn't piss on of they were on fire while telling them to stop choosing to be on fire and expecting government handouts.

Every unit has them.

[Nephew Twiddleton]

I'm glad he isn't going to be executed. But my oh my are people at my unit flipping their shit. 

Yeah?  Glad the little traitor got his comeuppance, or pissed that the army scapegoated the kid?

pissed he isn't getting executed.

at your mates.

there  are people in my unit I wouldn't piss on of they were on fire while telling them to stop choosing to be on fire and expecting government handouts.

That's an image.