Now that I think about it, the War on Terror is an appropriate name for our occupancy in the Iraq and Afghanistan because the people of those countries are attempting to protect themselves from the terror that the United States has brought upon them. However, our government doesn’t want us to be aware of the horror that we are causing overseas, and when someone tries to inform the public about what is actually happening, they are severely punished. Bradley Manning is a serviceman who has been put in jail because of a violent and shocking military video that he released. What our legal system is doing to Bradley Manning is cruel. It is interesting that he was accused of a crime, but never convicted, yet he is forced to be in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day. His sentence could be decades long, and all he did was post a video on the internet. Do you think our country embraces freedom of speech? Think again. The information that Bradley Manning posted should always be readily available to the public!
We can see a similar situation in the case of Albert Melise, who dedicated half of his life to the military. However, because he leaked classified information about Guantanamo Bay, he is no longer allowed to serve.
Let’s take a look at the difference in punishments between Manning and Melise. Why did Bradley Manning get locked up and condemned to almost continuous solitary confinement? Is it because he is a gay male? Is it because he is younger, and therefore more easily taken advantage of and less respected? Or maybe it is because Manning’s video got more attention. Nonetheless, the disparity between the law and what happens in our society is evident. Neither Manning or Melise’s punishments are in line with what the law states. The upsetting part is that this is not the first time this has happened, and it is definitely not the last.
Free Bradely Manning!!
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