Sorry, OT: 7.4 earthquake in Japan. I’ll find the link.

Shame, Shame, Shame on the US military and BO for letting the aweful thing happen to an American Citizen. I’m beginnig to think the military are in charge of this country.

I saw it reported as 7.1, not that it makes much difference from the Japanese point of view right now.

Obama’s unwillingness to lay down the law for the Pentagon amounts to an erosion of the principle of civilian control…so you may not be far off.

The executive branch has a long, ugly history of refusing to allow insitutions, law or reason to stand in the way of retaliating against a whistleblower. And, despite growing public support for whistleblowers, retaliation is only getting worse.

Jesus fucking christ people, haven’t you realized we live in the United States of Honduras?

Manning is our first ‘disappeared’.

Yep, they initially reported it as 7.4, then downgraded it to 7.1. Apparently some nuclear reactors (not the Fukushima ones) are now running on emergency power.

A ticker on CNN says that Gates has said that his trip to Iraq “likely his last”…sounds like he’s gonna resign.

Regarding Manning, what can one say? This whole situation is literally revolting and somewhat alarming. Boiling frogs.

Oh yes. We have. You are ranting at the choir.

Why are you intent on insulting Honduras? /s

Ruh roh

No doubt, peeps. They’re at least capable of holding free and fair elections, even if the USG later is complicit in a coup that overthrows the elected government.

The banana republics we used to look down on now have stronger civil society and rule of law than we do. Pathetic. Truly pathetic.

I should have said Salvador or Bahrain maybe?

Haha…same difference.

Ooooh oooh I got it! United States of the Central Intelligence Agency!!!!

Anyone wanna wager that they don’t find some reason to transfer Manning to Gitmo?

Sure would make it harder for folks like Kucininch et al to keep comin’ round. s/

After all, they did an about face on the location of KSM,allegedly at Congress’ intervention.

Quantico can’t block a visit, it’s just a facility. Only an official working at Quantico can refuse to allow one. Who is that person?

or Central Stupid Agency

This whole sordid thing makes me wonder what the next step is. First Manning, who next? How widespread? How many people are going to become political prisoners?

Does local law enforcement start getting involved in stuff like this? Indefinited detention in county lockups?

They will find a reason to put Kucinich in GITMO with him. One of the last reasonable people in the USG. Then the cycle will be complete.

POWAHHH!!! UNLIMITED POWAH!!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

They have only failed at getting their way miserably once that I know of, Cuba?

They are so smart they are stupid.

ROFLMAO!!

THEN,the cycle will be complete when NBC will have it’s newest reality show-Dancing Behind Bars!

The person who was ultimately given orders issued by the Commander in Chief.

If anyone has been paying attention for the last 2+ years — the Democrats have been in control of our country …. just sayin’.

Barry “I never promised you a rose garden” Obama.

Nah..Barry’s a Repub DINO

When Obama did the 11 dimensional reversal on EVERY FUCKING THING he campaigned on it proved to me there is a shadow government in control no matter who is ‘elected’.

When I was watching the documentary on LBJ’s white house recordings, it was totally unequivocally confirmed. And shocking it has been going on since before I was a sparkle in my mommy and daddy’s eye.

The only thing that can stop this is a Gandhi style revolt or armed insurrection.

Furthermore, I am virtually convinced Kennedy was assassinated to bring this to fruition.

An official visit would be one conducted by those officials on government business, and would not be subject to monitoring by the brig.

Thanks, Michael, for bringing this nasty business to our attention.

I would place zero credence in them not recording an official visit even though it’s not allowed. It just would be more discreet and then might be used against Manning in prison even if it couldn’t legally be used in a trial. Although, with the state of our rule of law and admitting evidence obtained via torture, I wouldn’t count on it not being accepted at some kind of a so-called trial.

No, the money party has been in control of our country, acting through stooges with irrelevant letters of the alphabet after their names.

Since 1947 this country has been controlled by a small cabal of sociopaths with unlimited resources who go around the world on adventures, stealing money from others, dealing drugs, and generally getting their rocks off committing criminal acts in the name of the United States.

If Pfc Manning were not being tortured and was in fact in tip-top shape, you’d think that the Quantico brass would be going out of their way to advertise the fact.

Since they are not, the only logical assumptions one can make are that a) he is being tortured b) he is in bad shape as a result c) the Quantico brass and/or whoever controls them are being pricks for prickiness’ sake or d) some combination of a), b), and/or c).

but he DID promise us a rose garden. he just left out the part about big business getting all the roses and the rest of us getting the thorns.

Agree

Since Kucinich hasn’t been charged with any crime or wrongdoing, according to the rules and guidelines of military justice (UCMJ), he’s considered dangerous until proven or rendered harmless.

They don’t want to make a martyr out of him.

Truly the rule of law is dead in this country.

So it is the Wild Wild West again.

nice synopsis of our not nice form of government.

After reading “Obama’s Wars” I had the feeling the military get what they want by constant treats of “terrorist attacks” and that seems to amount to blackmail of sorts, IMO.

Excellent analysis.

but he DID promise us a rose garden.

All we got was the fertilizer…

We are political prisoners when WE VOTE! LOL

Are You In. . .carcerated ? ™

John Walker Lindh, as I keep reminding, was the FIRST (in this series).

It’s hard to recognize a pattern from just one example, but I did. Just was waiting for the next one.

al Awaki (sp?)

So Manning’s treatment should come as no surprise.

On edit: Lindh, as I recall got 20 years. Not sure how severe the imprisonment, but iirc it was not supermax. He’s served about half & will be a free man before Manning ever sees the light of day.

I’ll look up Lindh and come back with a link.

Nice polite way to say horseshit and cowshit. If I owned a dump truck I’d leave a load at the WH gate.

From Lindh’s wiki

If convicted of these charges, Lindh could have received up to three life sentences and 90 additional years in prison. On February 13, 2002, he pled not guilty to all 10 charges.[30]

The court scheduled an evidence suppression hearing, at which Lindh would have been able to testify about the details of the torture to which he claimed he was subjected. The government faced the problem that a key piece of evidence — Lindh’s confession — might be excluded from evidence as having been forced under duress.

To forestall this possibility, Michael Chertoff, then-head of the criminal division of the U.S. Department of Justice, directed the prosecutors to offer Lindh a plea bargain, to which, Lindh would plead guilty to two charges: — serving in the Taliban army and carrying weapons. He would also have to consent to a gag order that would prevent him from making any public statements on the matter for the duration of his 20-year sentence, and he would have to drop any claims that he had been mistreated or tortured by U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan and aboard two military ships during December 2001 and January 2002. In return, all other charges would be dropped.

Lindh accepted this offer. On July 15, 2002, he entered his plea of guilty to the two remaining charges. The judge asked Lindh to say, in his own words, what he was admitting to. Lindh’s allocution went as follows: “I plead guilty”, he said. “I provided my services as a soldier to the Taliban last year from about August to December. In the course of doing so, I carried a rifle and two grenades. I did so knowingly and willingly knowing that it was illegal.” On October 4, 2002, Judge T.S. Ellis, III formally imposed the sentence: 20 years without parole.[31]

As another result of Lindh’s plea bargain, a Son of Sam law was invoked. Any and all profits made from book deals or any movies about Lindh’s experience will be automatically handed over to the federal government. Lindh, his family, his relatives, his associates and his friends will be unable to profit financially from his crimes and/or experiences.

Lindh’s attorney, James Brosnahan, said Lindh would be eligible for release in 17 years, with good behavior. This is because, although there is no parole under federal law, his sentence could be reduced by 15 percent, or three years, for good behavior. In addition, Lindh agreed to cooperate “fully, truthfully and completely” with both military intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the terrorism investigation.[31]
[edit] Imprisonment

In January 2003, Lindh was sent to the United States Penitentiary, Victorville, a high-security facility in Victorville northeast of Los Angeles. On March 3, 2003, Lindh was tackled by inmate Richard Dale Morrison, who assaulted Lindh as he knelt in prayer and then ran away; Lindh was left with bruises on his forehead. On July 2, 2003, Morrison was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault.

Lindh was held at ADMAX in Florence, Colorado, the federal Supermax facility for a short time. He is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution at Terre Haute, Indiana[32] in the Communication Management Unit.[33] In April 2007, citing the reduced sentence for the Australian prisoner David Hicks, Lindh’s attorneys made a public plea for a Presidential commutation to lower his twenty year sentence.

In January 2009 the Lindh family’s petition for clemency to Lindh was denied by President Bush in one of his final acts in office. According to the US Justice Department, all “special administrative measures” in place against Lindh expired on March 20, 2009, as part of a gradual easing of restrictions on the prisoner.[34]

In 2010 Lindh, along with Enaam Arnaout, sued to lift restrictions on group prayer by Muslim inmates in the Communication Management Unit.[33]

Michael, you wrote:

Government officials and Quantico Marine base have blocked official visits to PFC. Bradley Manning by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Amnesty International, and the UN Special Rappateur on torture.

According to Manning’s attorney, Kucinich, Amnesty, and UN have been trying to get clearance for “official visits” to Manning at the Quantico Marine brig.

I find this really interesting seeing as (excerpt from here):

Also, by June 2009, we found out that under the Bush 43 Administration that Chinese government officials were allowed to go to Guantanamo and have direct access to the torture proceedings of the Uyghurs:

“While at the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2002, Uighur detainees were interrogated, abused and threatened by a delegation from the People’s Republic of China, recently liberated Uighurs told the Huffington Post in a phone interview from Bermuda.” (excerpt from “Uighurs: U.S. Let Chinese Abuse Us At Gitmo” by Ryan Grim, June 16, 2009, link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/16/uighurs-us-let-chinese-ab_n_216332.html ).

Did the Chinese officials make an “official visit” or an “authorized visit” for that activity at Gitmo?

When Obama did the 11 dimensional reversal on EVERY FUCKING THING he campaigned on it proved to me there is a shadow government in control no matter who is ‘elected’.

Furthermore, I am virtually convinced Kennedy was assassinated to bring this to fruition.

SPOT ON. I have been saying this for years. People need to WAKE UP and Wake UP Now. The current system is designed to work against us. As Carlin said we have no freedom and we have no rights? TSA, Patriot Act, Wiretapping, Trillions of tax payers dollars given to banksters, Corporations paying little tax and writing the legislation, etc, etc.

I can tell you this those running the show have even more plans for us. The same people that control the FED Reserve now want a single world currency. They have openly stated it through their talking puppets – IMF, World Bank, G7 – and they will back this currency with gold, which they just happen to own the lion share of. They will sell it to us as a good thing, but it will be the same as they will still be in control. Mark my words. Why do you think more and more people are learning about what a scam the FED RESERVE is. The FED will be shut down, and used as a scapegoat — It was all the FEd’s fault, but here is a great new money system.

Wake up

Yup.

we live in the United States of Honduras

Wow, hit the nail on the head.

What is the government afraid that Manning will say to these officials when the Brig isn’t able to record his every move?

Exactly. The question answers itself. They know they are committing torture. They are now in a box. If they put him on the stand, it will all come out; if they don’t put him on the stand, they will still be doing it. It is not obvious what the exit is, other than his death in prison, which will raise other problems.

We’re not being creative enough here.

What can we get invalidated internationally due to the treatment of Manning that’s gonna really hurt and embarrass the “powers that be” in the US.

Whoa. Indeed.

I agree. But I have no answers. :-((

Things just get more depressing by the day. I was heavily involved with the Manning movement right up to the ralley at Quantico on March 20th. After driving my motorcycle from Pittsburgh to Quantico and back in one day,(633 miles), I was left with a heightened felling of futility rather than vigor.

I realized after watching the intimidation of peaceful protestors by storm troopers and the military that the PTB simply don’t care what we think. It’s going to take another Kent State before people wake up on the rule of law issue.

Doesn’t obama realize that no matter how hard he tries to be like a republican they just are never going to accept him? Frankly he should not be running for reelection after calling for more transparency in government and then turning around and continually pulling this b.s. You cannot blame the military without blaming its leader, and yes obama you are supposed to act like a leader and not an administrator.

Please don’t hesitate to expand upon your reaction. :-)

Inquiring minds want to know if there is a reciprocal agreement of US officials in Chinese prisons? Do Chinese officials have access to prisoners on US soil as well? Whomever knows the answers to these questions, please speak up and provide links and documentation as much as possible.

I think I see where you are going and it’s very interesting … but I am having trouble focussing today. I am seriously depressed about all this shit.

My reaction was because your quotes are great and the dynamic you have found should embarrass the crap out of these clowns. But it won’t. It’s parrallel to the whole sick schtick that we have to protect Libyan rebels on humanitarian grounds but Congo no so much. And CNN is talking about the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. But nobody really gives a shit or maybe they would have more respect for the UN forces leader who was on the ground in Rwanda begging for the authority to do something. That was Canadian General who now advocates for child soldiers, including Omar Khadr, who is in isolation at Gitmo after his own show trial. Oh, there goes my stomach again.

So, the Chinese get to visit their guys at Gitmo. But our own jounalists are silenced at Gitmo. And our own authorities cannot visit Manning.

I really appreciate the support that Manning is getting. And I really hate to criticize his lawyers. And I know this is horrible ~ we know how bad it can be after Padilla. But …

CAN’T SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS????

Yeah, and the same exact shit occurred during the 8 years before that when the Republican Party was in control of our country. just sayin..

You can still sign the Avaaz.Org petition that just started 2 days ago. It’s now named “Stop Wikileaks Torture.” Folks from all over the world are signing and raising the visibility of this issue internationally. I watch folks’ signature of solidarity here and have seen a lot of folks from Canada and elsewhere.

The answer is “Yes” someone can do something about this.

But apparently the American public isn’t ready to yet.

Far too many of them feel that it’s not their problem if it’s happening to someone else…. Guess they never heard that poem about the German in the 1930′s about “When they came for the …….”

I’m so sorry the feeling of futility was so overwhelming. I, for one, am so so PROUD of every one of you that day, and so wish I could’ve been there.

All of you deserve the Presidential Medal of Freedom, IMO. If we had, you know, an actual President.

Please find the link regarding what you point out about the Canadian general and post the factual information here as lots of Canadians read here. You will instantly raise the visibility of the issue as many, many Canadians simply don’t know what’s going on due to the failure of their press (hello it’s corporate) and would be very disturbed by this revelation to the point it will affect their upcoming election. What do you think about that?

Just have to say I really appreciate your being there, too, and bringing your report to us. Without witnesses all this is worse, much worse, and it will take much longer. You are part of the solution.

We actually have this well covered in Canada. We have had video of Khadr being interrogated on the evening news and still our government does nothing even though it has gone to the Canadian Supreme court. We have heroes. Khadr has advocates who will take him in. He even has a correspondence teacher now.

Nothing I am saying here is a revelation. The Rwanda story has also been heavily covered over the years. The Canadian General (whose name I cannot remember today) has been appointed to the Canadian Senate. And his lobbying in Washington is reported. But we also know what a problem Washington is.

I’d give you some links, but I’m really not up to it today.

The horse has left the barn as this has gone international and you were one of the people that made that happen. To me you are hero for doing that. Check it: Hillary Says “We” Are Losing The Information War.

I’m hearing mixed reviews of news coverage in Canada. Meanwhile, give me a name and any other data items and I’ll find more re the Canadian general. :-)

” If Manning’s torture is “meeting our basic standards”, as President Obama says, what is there to hide? ”
Good point, Michael.

Haha, what a great link!!!

“CommunIslam” That’s our threat!!!

LMAO!!!!

Feel free to share it! Old greedy bigoted kleptocrats (richbanksters) in pretty much every country have stolen the future of their youth and the youth know it.

Tangential– Dear folks Down Under, as China is your largest trading partner, please see this special about the industry-wide secret butchers don’t want you to know about: “Meat glue“

Ugh, it says it’s banned in Europe.

Guessing right here in the good ‘ole Corporate States of America that it’s not banned and we’ve been eating this shit for years.

Every day I just get more convinced that our great founders were wrong. Democracy doesn’t work because people will not engage enough to make it work.

Sorry to my good friend SD.

But I think I officially give up.

Can’t stand any more of this shit. Gotta disengage for awhile for my own sanity.

Best to all. Sorry to be such a loser.

Peace.
Joe
OldFatGuy

The only thing that can stop this is a Gandhi style revolt or armed insurrection.

Furthermore, I am virtually convinced Kennedy was assassinated to bring this to fruition.

Yep, and yep. JFK’s big “mistake” was taking on the Fed by printing Treasury Notes as currency.

Of course no one is allowed to visit Bradley Manning. The military runs obama more than he runs them and Manning showed them without any cover. There they are murdering people and claiming that someone somewhere in Iraq had a gun and it was necessary to shoot these people, especially the children, to save them.

On the question of JFK, read Russ Baker’s book Family of Secrets. ghw bush doesn’t remember where he was when JFK was killed (he went from Dallas to Tyler on that day). You will see the assassination in a truly new light.

Fascism. Say it. Fascism. Say it often.

How about GHWB just dropping in for a visit last year? Just happened to be in town.

Ah, right approach. This is what Soviet dissidents did — they knew they wouldn’t get any action from their government, so they brought in the international press whenever they could.

It’s important to try and fight those feelings of futility, as understandable as they are. What you did was extraordinary, and you should take pride in it.

Remember that the whole Bushco approach was to induce in us a sense of learned helplessness. If only for that reason, it’s important to keep some embers of the spirit of resistance alive.

It’s OK to take a rest and come back, OFG.

Regarding “Meat Glue”– Folks might want to ask if their organic meat suppliers are really organic and root out who’s gouging folks with this stunt to make-a-buck-at-the-expense-of-someone’s-health. I know what animal flesh looks like and this ain’t it so please inspect everything and ask questions about it before you buy. If you are in the US, also consult your local CSA.

This is to make you laugh but there *is* a factual basis to the comedy: “Portlandia: Is It Local?“