Blowing the Whistle on War Crimes Is Not a Crime

Dear Fellow Americans,

On Saturday, June 1st/ 2013 my friend, a retired naval aviator, and I drove to Fort Meade Maryland to show support for a genuine American hero. Local, County State, Federal and Military police were out in force to barricade the areas’ roads to prevent the people from exercising their 1st Amendment Right- to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

At 5’2” and no more than 106 pounds soaking wet Pvt. 1st Class Bradley Manning has the Empire quivering in its boots. What transformed an ordinary 22 year old kid into heroism was his viewing a military video in his job as an Army Intelligence Analyst. He saw a deadly US helicopter missile attack on unarmed journalists which was followed by a 2nd missile killing the rescue workers. This illegal murder scene convinced Mr. Manning to release the video to Wikileaks.

Manning was not interested in money for his information as the FBI’s informant Adrian Lomo found out when trying to tempt hm. His only interest was to let the American people know the truth as to what “our” Government was doing in the name of the American people. He hoped that this information would open up a real dialogue and stop the senseless killings of both American soldiers and Iraqi civilians.

As mentioned previously the June 1st demonstration was under intense police interference to discourage attendees. Additionally the heat and humidity made the day a further challenge. Despite the petty annoyances it  was a wonderful day thanks to the inspiring speeches.

A young woman spoke of her role in Army Intelligence where she like Mr. Manning had access to the same civilian killing. When she and others brought their concerns to commanding officers they were told to keep their “Fuc…ing mouths closed and just follow orders.” She then started to cry and said: “Thank God for Bradley Manning’s courage.”

The key note speaker was Daniel Ellsberg whose release of the high security Pentagon Papers to the New York Times exposed the US Government’s lies and helped end the Viet Nam War. Mr. Ellsberg felt a very close connection to Bradley Manning. Both men were moved by conscience and love of their country to expose the lies of their government.   Both men were candidates for execution by the US government.

Mr. Ellsberg elegantly exposed the Government’s major charge that Mr. Manning’s action cost American lives as being another lie. In reality Ellsberg explained, the intelligence exposed actually saved both American and Iraqi lives. At the time Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki was to sign an agreement granting American soldiers immunity from Iraqi Law. This is a prerequisite for any country hosting an American military base. The Wikileaks revelations created such intense pressure on Mr. Maliki that he refused to formalize the Treaty. Obama had no choice but order the withdrawal of American soldiers and closing of US bases there. Thus Bradley Manning saved the lives of countless Americans and Iraqis.       Rather than prosecution this heroic young man deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. It is the only than that this prize, which recently was given to Mr. Obama, will have its honor and meaning restored.

Sincerely yours,

Steven Fenichel, MD