Kucinich needs someone with a military background, like a Lugar or a Warner to buddy up with him on this. They might get the right traction for this to happen.
Are they all major torture enablers or are they men?

Manning himself has a lawyer. Why is there no judicial review of what is happening?

Kucinich will fold in 5, 4, ….

Mr. Kucinich: Why won’t you accept the conditions of the Monitoring Order? Your saying that “Confidentiality is required … to achieve the candor that is necessary to perform the oversight functions with which I am tasked as a Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,” sounds like an unconditional demand. It sounds like you’re requiring complete trust from the parties (the Pentagon) you’re on record already as saying you don’t trust. As long as you’re not waiving any of your rights by being recorded, why not agree? I would prefer to hear your eye-witness account than to hear nothing.

I’m sure that this little problem will be reslved soon.
Although it has not been widely reported, the Commander in Chief was
once an instructor in constitutional law at the University of Chi … oh, never mind.

Thank you for keeping us informed, Michael. It’s heartbreaking what that young man may be going thru at the hands of his own government.

(Should your first paragraph read … with alleged Wikileaks …? No conviction yet. IANAL)

3, 2, 1. All that’s needed is a free ride on Air Force 1. Complete cave.

With cynicism being the rule of the day, it’s actually cost-free for Kucinich to take this position and not cave.

So say what you will.

Ye, I have to agree, talk cheap!

Ooh, a strongly-worded letter. That’ll change a lot.

But not to worry, I’m sure Rachel Maddow will take up this cause and blame the people who must be responsible – the Republicans!

Like Alexander Duma’s “Man in the Iron Mask”.

My country has become grotesque.

Touche’

The “citizens” have allowed it to become grotesque.

I didn’t realize K’s price was so high.

All talk to no action, just like DK saying Obama could be impeached for going to war with Libya without authorization and then just saying he was merely talking and wouldn’t try to impeach. Either DK doesn’t believe what he’s saying or he does believe that the Constitution is being violated, just he wont do anything about it. Thanks for nationalizing Romneycare.

If you don’t have a hint of cynicism you must be a cock-eyed optimist. Have you ever read Voltaire?

LOL!

LOL! Um, yes….

Kucinich doesn’t really mean Pfc. Manning’s treatment is Kafkaesque; he’s not writing about Manning’s treatment. He’s writing about his own treatment, and he’s trying to say that the way he — Dennis Kucinich — is being treated is “more consistent with Kafka than the U.S. Constitution”. Is that projection or transference?

It is moral dyslexia.

I don’t git why you beat up on Kucinich. Is it because he is standing up for Manning when no one else will?

BC he has no spine and he won’t follow through.

God, so many good comments already, taking Dennis Kaving-in-ich to the cleaners for his phony actions.

If DK really wanted to make this an issue all he has to do do is alert the media in advance, then show up at Quantico, demand to see Manning, and then get arrested when they refuse admittance.

But he won’t.

Because he’s a cowardly tool.

And why did it take him so long to even get started? K’s initial request to see Manning was 2/11, 6 or more months after Manning had been there.

Shameful.

Someone might need to get into see Manning on a private visit where everyone knows all will be recorded to make sure he is OK. Fine, recorded or not, maybe some private citizen who is a Notary Public or something could take an affidavit from Manning or something. Use the US gov’t recordings or military recordings released 50 years from now to display the BS. We don’t have a very good legal system or military if they have to resort to harming the innocent before they are proven guilty.

I would never want my children to join the military because 1) during boot camp the US military allows new recruits to drown in base pools while officers stand by and call them names, 2) military courts seem third world for the accused and there are a lot of ranks above to crush your freedom and reputation. Those below have to take the crap and be quiet. Also, once a recruit signs on the bottom line, his body no longer belongs to him or her regarding forced inoculations, experimental environmental factors ect.

The people I know who have joined the military did it to get out of debt. I always thought the forces didn’t want people who were in debt because they might be more easily bribed to do things against our country. Go figure.

Since 1984 the US only accepts the International Court of Justice jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. Many other nations abide by ICJ–but not USA. This makes me feel we are kind of barbaric in a way. It’s embarrassing. Funny, so the UN won’t be able to help Manning unless the US allows them to help.

I don’t git why you beat up on Kucinich. Is it because he is standing up for Manning when no one else will?

They’re just terminally frustrated with nothing effective ever getting done. It’s not Dennis, it’s the lack of of what too many of us thought (hoped) that O would be, with no prospects of political salvation in sight (DK is disqualified because he caved/can’t deliver).

Dennis Kucinich is a good guy. I brought a friend to his office in Lakewood, Ohio last year because Dennis hires social workers to help his constituents. The social worker was very helpful and empathetic. He took a long time with this person and had many resources to share. Dennis is really real.

So your one case overrides all the other evidence on issues of greater magnitude. Meaning what he does on cases that influence a lot of people.

Your bar is really low if your anecdote is your only evidence. It really is the least reps can do for constituents.

Take off your blinders.

You ignore the evidence that it’s cost free for Kucinich to take this stance.

That should appeal to your skepticism.

Obama, don’t make us send Jesse Jackson to get Manning out of Quantico. We will send him.

Don’t ignore it. Just responding to a specific comment.

I agree with you that it costs K nothing to take this stand, nor does it cost him anything to vote progressive, since he’s sure to lose.

One of those ‘free’ ideological’ votes.

Just like the feckless libertarians on antiwar and civil liberties.

Make a little noise then disappear.

Huh?

It’s illegal. That’s the only reason you need.

The United States claims the rule of law matters here.

why did it take him so long to even get started? K’s initial request to see Manning was 2/11, 6 or more months after Manning had been there.

Shameful.

Would carry more weight if you’d gotten yourself arrested at Quantico’s gates. Keyboard inquisitioners.

Remember all the prisoners/hostages Jesse Jackson has gone overseas to extract from tyrants and warlords?

So I personally have more responsibility than Manning’s imprisoners and political reps? And exactly why would that be? Do you have evidence of my circumstances that contributes to your assertion?

OK. Ref obscure to me bc I haven’t kept track.

But if JJ is so hot to trot, where has he been all along.

Hi eCAHNomics –have enjoyed reading your comments for a year or so. I’m seeing pretty well. I think Dennis has gone further than most dems in the House. He puts himself out there and sheds light on issues that need it. He risks being ridiculed for what he believes in. I don’t work for him but had lived in his district for many years. I wish he could go as just a private citizen to see Manning. I don’t know what BS wall Dennis has hit with Manning–but I do continue to support him and hope he can break through the BS.

Jackson is 70. He’s only working a partial schedule these days.

Fair enough.

But hasn’t he established an infrastructure to carry on his work.

K’s willingness to be ridiculed is perhaps his most endearing quality.

I remember his Peace Dept. I used to think, in my naive days, that was State Dept.

It’s just that the collective Kucinich-bashing seems counterproductive, when he’s one of the very few that will make a stand (ok, in totally ineffective ways) on many issues that most of us can agree with. Who else in congress meets your purity standards? If he’s all 100% part of the kubuki, then fuck me.

The Rainbow / PUSH coalition is Jackson’s. One of his sons is in Congress, too.

It might be good for Hillary to take Dennis with her on State trips. He could play the good cop.

Great idea, why not just place the House of Reps. under the Pentagon while we’re at it?

Rainbow/Push, as I remember, was announced on the steps of Wash memorial at the top of Wall St. Like a sellout from Day One.

Correct me if I’m wrong. Just an impression.

Now there’s a productive role for DK.

Just goes to show ya, ya can’t ever think of all the obvious things. Thanks for pointing it out.

It’s probably because last year when we were scrambling to find ONE Rep. to stand up to Obama on HCR, Kucinich made a lot of noise, then did what they all did.

Yes, in French, but I’m afraid I didn’t laugh when I should’ve.

It’s allegedly illegal. Claiming that an action violates the Constitution doesn’t count for anything. Who or what prevails in a court of law is what counts. Eventually it will be another 5-4 decision.

Sorry, I don’t think he was too real on HCR!

Has Michael Moore tried to see Manning?

Nice to know he’s working, is this his first job?

at least he made the noise, who else is (bernie, who else?)

bailey 2739–Yea, the HCR piece of crap was bad for many dems. Sherrod Brown disappointed in the Senate too. Brown talks a good talk until it’s time to vote.

Half aloof is better than waiting for the mountain to come or crumble. Anyway, Dennis sometimes reads blogs and comments; I tried to be respectful as I addressed him directly.

It has nothing to do with bashing Kucinich. That’s just one manifestation of the underlying problem which is that there is not a single rep in congress who comes close to standing up for real peeps.

Nor does it have to do with purity tests.

Nor does it have to do with criticizing the messenger.

I have no idea what K’s game is. All I can do from the outside is judge his actions, or lack thereof.

DK voted to nationalize Romneycare – DK is either willfully part of the kabuki or he’s so spineless that he becomes a useful idiot to those who are.

there is not a single rep in congress who comes close to standing up for real peeps

OK, no one meets your standards.. the only criticism I have of you being the messenger of that generally accepeted reality is you offer nothing positive going forward (and I certainly have nuthin). But I do love your all your insights.

Some problems have no solutions.

revolution?

U.S. is nowhere near that, so far as I can tell. More’s the pity.

Obama would have at the very least destroyed Kucinich politically. Kucinich was the last man standing. Obama was going to get his fucking Obamacare anyway. So Dennis decided to live to fight another day.

So criticize him if you don’t approve. Some of you have singled him out and made him a scape goat. Manning is a pet project around here. Kucinich is challenging the Administration on your issue. And all you can do is bad mouth him? Is that how you reward people who take up your issues?

I’ve seen this before. Last time it was Nader. Y’all have a habit of killing your prophets.

Unfortunately the biggest disappointment BY FAR was Feingold. I’ll never understand that one.

And, what good was that?

Huh? Reward people who take up OUR issues? It’s not something he believes in & thinks is worth fighting for?

about as much good as all our carping here, i guess

I think Kucinich is sincere. I think it is “something he believes in & thinks is worth fighting for?” Which is FDL’s position also. I give FDL first billing because they were here first. Otherwise I might have said You have taken up Kucinich’ issue.

IN RESPONSE TO ecahnomics@3

I agree. It’s good that Kucinich is helping to spotlight the issue, but I’ve called his office several times and suggested that he just get a couple of TV journalists, go the hell over there and record what happens.

I’m not holding my breath.

You don’t get the whole “separation of powers” thing, do you?

Oui Kelly!

Et t’as bien remarqué que Rusty a apprecié tes mots aussi? Mais merde, il est ou ce Rusty maintenant? ;-)