The Edmond Sun

Local News

Discussion

August 12, 2010

Marchers support alleged WikiLeaks whistleblower

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — In some quarters, Army Pfc. Bradley Manning is called a hero. In others, he’s seen as a traitor.

Oklahomans marched to the state Capitol Thursday evening in support of the 22-year-old intelligence analyst, the prime suspect in the leaking of thousands of classified Afghanistan war records.

Just who is Bradley Manning?

The Daily Telegraph, a British publication, reported that Manning was born in Oklahoma to an American father and a British mother. For a time he lived in Crescent. He went to school in Wales.

“He was a bit hot-headed,” Scott Lewis, a former classmate told the Telegraph. “If there was something he didn’t agree with, he spoke up about it.”

Manning was described as the son of divorced parents, a computer “nerd,” a quiet youth who had a difficult upbringing and a loner who was subjected to bullying.

The Oklahoma City march was organized locally by the Oklahoma Center for Conscience, with support from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. Supporters met at the corner of Northeast 16th and Lincoln and marched to the Capitol.

James Branum, an attorney who works with the Oklahoma Center for Conscience on military law cases, said the Pentagon’s “extreme” treatment of Manning is designed to set up the case “as an example” for others.

“We are saying that exposing war crimes is not a crime,” Branum said.

Oklahoma City Peace House Director Nathaniel Batchelder said after Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. special forces did a great job in Afghanistan. The situation in the war-torn country changed with the start of the war in Iraq, he said.

Batchelder said the Oklahoma City Peace House endorses the march, and he called Manning a hero along the lines of Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower behind the Pentagon Papers, which influenced decisions related to the Vietnam War. Ellsberg also supports Manning.

“We want to call the public’s attention to support the idea of whistleblowers like Bradley Manning who bring to light information Americans need to make informed decisions,” Batchelder said.

Government officials have a different opinion.

During a July 29 briefing with reporters, days after the release of the documents, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the battlefield consequences are potentially severe and dangerous for U.S. troops, allies and Afghan partners, and may damage American relationships and its reputation in that key part of the world.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said he was concerned about the recklessness with which the documents were leaked and then posted online.

“As I said earlier this week, I am appalled by this behavior and, frankly, outraged that anyone in their right mind would think it valuable to make public even one sensitive report, let alone tens of thousands of them, about a war that is being waged,” Mullen said.

Manning, who is presumed innocent until proven guilty, faces charges in the military criminal justice system.  

WikiLeaks is self-described as a public service designed to protect whistleblowers, journalists and activists who have sensitive materials to communicate to the public.

“We believe that transparency in government activities leads to reduced corruption, better government and stronger democracies,” the site declares. “... Principled leaking has changed the course of history for the better; it can alter the course of history in the present; it can lead us to a better future.”

In addition to posting documents, wikileaks.com, a project of The Sunshine Press, offers a way for others to submit documents. WikiLeaks was founded by Julian Assange.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

Text Only
Local News
  • $6.8B budget crosses final hurdle

    House members found enough votes late Thursday afternoon to approve the state’s $6.8 billion budget for next year by a vote of 52-42. This came after an earlier vote failed by four votes in the House Thursday morning.

    May 25, 2012

  • Santa Fe principal resigns

    Edmond Santa Fe High School principal Earl Kirkpatrick resigned Thursday to explore possibilities in the field of ministry. His last day is June 30.

    May 25, 2012

  • devin derrick 2012.jpg Hollywood dreams do come true: Edmondite develops film, music career

    It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
    At least that is what Edmond resident and 1990 Edmond High School graduate Devin Derrick will tell you about his rise to fame in the music and movie businesses.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ASK A LAWYER: Trusts provide options for difficult heirs

    Q: We have a grown daughter who has a gambling problem. We want to provide for her in our will, but also want to protect her share from being wasted after we die. How can we do this?
    A: Your situation is not unusual. Most of us know at least one person who has difficulty handling money for one reason or another.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Pets

    This is a list of animals that have been found and are at the Edmond Animal Shelter, at Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615 for more information.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Police and Fire

    Information in this column is gathered from city fire incident logs and police incident reports.

    May 25, 2012

  • Make-A-Wish Oklahoma hosts Lexus raffle

    Make-A-Wish Oklahoma will once again partner with Lexus of Tulsa and Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City to raffle off a new Lexus, raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to grant the heartfelt wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in Oklahoma.

    May 25, 2012

  • Edmond youth are encouraged to make a difference

    The Edmond Youth Council programs are opportunities for students 15-18 years of age to learn about municipal government and potentially impact future city policies.

    May 25, 2012

  • Hiebert graduates from Field Artillery training

    Army Pfc. Cody A. Hiebert has graduated from the Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton.

    May 25, 2012

  • arcadia lake 3.jpg Police: Comply with lake rules during holiday period

    Summer vacation, hot days and a holiday weekend spell heavier traffic on Arcadia Lake, and police want to remind guests about rules and what happens if you break them.
    May 23 was the last day of school for Edmond Public Schools and the long Memorial Day holiday period has come.

    May 25, 2012 6 Photos