First, there is no such thing as an “ex-Marine.” Once a Marine, always a Marine. And I’m still on active duty.

I’ve read just about everything that has been written about Manning’s confinment. I absolutely agree the trial is taking too long. What I don’t agree with are the allegations that the Marines at Quantico are taking punitive measures against Manning.

Examples:

Allegation: Manning is being kept in solitary confinement to break him.

Response: Manning isn’t in solitary confiment, he lives in a one man cell like eveyone else in the brig. Manning is charged with very serious crimes, could be sentenced to spend a long time in jail, has knowledge of classified information, and was determined to be a potential risk to himself. All justifiable reasons to classify him as “max-custody.” Whether or not the psychs thought he was a risk to himself, the brig commander has to look at ALL of the information, to include Manning’s daily conduct (like saying he could kill himself with his underwear.) FYI, sarcasm doesn’t fly in the military when the topic is suicide.

Allegation: Manning was forced to stand naked for inspection, in front of everyone.

Response: No he wasn’t. Manning, on one occasion, decided to stand naked for morning muster…inside his cell, where nobody could see him. If you get your news from any place other than FDL, you would know that none of the detainees have view of another in the Quantico brig, and they do not come out of their cells for muster. His clothes were taken from him because he made a remark indicating he had thought about suicide.

Allegation: The Marines harrassed Manning, making him say “aye” instead of “yes.”

Response: It’s a Naval facility. Whether you agree with it or not, when on another service’s facility, you follow their customs. Example: Marines do not salute indoors unless covered (have a hat on) because you are under arms (standing a post with a weapons.) Soldiers do, so when I am on an Army base and reporting to a senior officer indoors, I salute. I will concede that Marines can be a little overzealous when making corrections, but you should also recognize that Manning probably overreacted a little.

The truth is, none of us were there. All allegations of mistreatment have been made by Manning, Coombs and Manning supporters. Of course those people will cry wolf. The DoD has responded to every query along the way. Of course the DoD will point out it’s not a wolf.

I have to make my decisions based on what I read (from both sides of the fence) and what makes logical sense. It does not make logical sense that the Marines would abuse a high-profile prisoner, knowing full well that the world is watching, and that any allegations of wrong-doing would be investigated. It was reported (in NY Times, I think) that an investigation was conducted at the brig, and they were clean. It does not make logical sense, especially after Abu Ghraib, that any misconduct would be swept under the rug.

You are foolish to assume I don’t give a damn about this topic. I’ve stated before, and I’ll state it again, I am a US Marine. I volunteered to support and defend the constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

If Manning is indeed guilty (to be determined) of releasing thousands of classified cables and documents, he should go to jail for a long time.

I will also inform you that I applaud his courage, IF he tried to route his concerns through the chain of command and was told to shut up. If he felt a moral obligation to shed light on wrong-doings, and had the courage to follow through, good on him.

I do, however, think it was foolish of him (if found guilty) to release anything and everything he could. If he came across the video, which probably should not have been classified in the first place (I don’t know what led up to the helicopter engaging people on the ground), tried to bring it to his chain of command’s attention and was told to shut up, he should have released ONLY the video…to the press, not Wikileaks. That would make him a whistleblower.

As far as the treatment of Manning, I think anyone who thinks he is being intentionally mistreated is sorely misinformed. Yeah, it sucks to sit in a brig, but given the circumstances surrounding this topic, I think the Marines were treating him about as fairly as anyone could hope.

I’ve read a lot of the articles on this topic. I think the government has been as transparent as possible, without violating his privacy. It seems to me that nothing the DOD says will fit your agenda.

What I’m saying is Manning should not be treated like a novelty item to congressmen and international representatives. Do you honestly believe Kucinich actually cares about Manning. Nope, he cares about votes. Do you honestly believe the U.N. thinks Manning is being mistreated? Nope, they just want to cut away at the American government. Manning and the Marines at Quantico are stuck in the middle of a political crap storm.
The people living in the Quantico brig are still service members and deserve protection from the public circus going on outside the walls.

And no, I don’t believe Manning was mistreated. I think he may have not liked his conditions, but he wasn’t mistreated. I have a lot of friends in military corrections, and asked all kinds of questions about what is normal or abnormal. Everything I’ve read about Manning is what my friends explain to be standard in any brig.

Or maybe the Marines at Quantico don’t treat their prisoners like zoo animals, on display for the world to see.

Or…why would you give somone a tour of a Honda dealership when they want to see a Toyota? If there’s no Toyota, tell them ther’s no Toyota and move on. Why waste your time?

I’ve been without internet access for a few weeks…so goes life in the Marine Corps. It doesn’t look like I’ve missed much, and got back to civilization just in time to see Manning’s move announced.

Honestly, I hate to see him moved. I was hoping for the day Manning was shown on camera looking healthy, debunking all the myths he was withering away in a dark, dank hole in a Marine Brig. Now when he shows up on camera, people will automatically assume his healthy appearance is due to his transfer.

In reality, the Army is still reeling from Abu Ghraib, and would sooner have Manning off himself that face accusations of prisoner mistreatment. The Marines aren’t too concerned about public perception…and were willing to make the unpopular decision to restrict his movement/access to keep him alive.

I’m thinking the conversation went something like this…

Marines: Hey Army, can you take this guy back, please?

Army: Why? You guys are doing a great job!

Marines: Because we’re tired of taking flak for your inability to get this guy to trial. We’re doing everything we can to keep him alive, despite his burning desire to kill himself, all while you sit back and slow-roll the trial.

Army: But where do we put him?

Marines: I don’t care. Flick your own booger.

I could care less about whether she has a penis or not. I’ve seen women conduct themselves better in in extremely stressful situations that most men would have done. It has everything to do with the fact that Ann Wright was hamming it up for the cameras.

And by the way, they did not have any right to lay flowers at the Iwo statue. That statue is on federal property. Most people don’t realize the Quantico property line starts at the intersection.

Funny how nobody else was “screaming in pain” as they were escorted away from the unsafe crowding of a major intersection. The term “Drama Queen” comes to mind when Ann Wright is “brutalized.” Some colonel. I wonder how many times she let her troops see her over-react.

Or it could be a quote from “Full Metal Jacket.” But in reality it comes from a three week detachment to India. The most memorable moment was a little boy holding his hand out saying “Get some? Get some?” He was asking for anything we would hand out. Unfortunately, the only thing we had to hand out what the crap we didn’t want from our MREs.

While Marines don’t shy away from a fight, we’re not always looking for one either.

Lackland is Air Force, correct? I don’t know what kind of equipment the Air Force has compared to what the Marine Corps gets, but we’re usually last in line for new, high-speed gear.

I’m not completely opposed to the possibility that it COULD occur, I just think it’s unlikely. Besides, this appeared to be a Virginia State Police operation, not Marine Corps (from the video anyway.)

Quantico isn’t really that kind of base. Most of the activity at Quantico is academic or plans-oriented. I doubt they have that kind of tech, and even if they did it would also affect police radios, etc.

Doubtful. Especially if MSM is there to cover. Are there any live trucks there? Anyone know?

Yeah, but you would think someone would have done a little site reconnaissance to make sure the aircard worked in that area…and everyone knows to pack extra batteries. That’s Logistics 101.

Looks like the logistical planning was non-existent for the live stream. Anyone there have an extra battery or better aircard?

No, but the monument is on federal property, and protests are not usually permitted on federal property.

You mistake me for someone that has a desire to rule. I have spent my entire life around service to this country. My father retired from the Army and I have been in the Marines for 14 years. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing protests. It’s a clear indication that the military, while not perfect, is successful in serving its citizens.

What upsets me is when people show disdain or utter disrespect to servicemembers, like whattheincorporated.

I assume you’re talking about Kevin Zeese’s posting regarding laying flowers at the Iwo Jima monument? I wouldn’t let that happen either. It’s clearly a ploy to gain access to federal property during the protest. I’m willing to bet there would be no issue if Zeese and his fellow veterans group members wanted to lay flowers during houts not in conjunction with a protest.

Oh…he who reads only what serves his interests. I wonder if you’ve been part of something bigger than yourself. I’m guessing not.

It’s not the individual citizens that are a threat, nor is it the majority of the protestors. It’s the remote few that pose a threat, and by no means a threat the Marines can’t overcome. These advisories are notifications to base personnel so they are aware of what is going on. Notice there is nothing in the message about taking offensive action?

Find a new country to live in. You clearly have no respect for the Americans serving, have served or that have died to protect your rights.