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In reply to the discussion: WikiLeaks: Bradley Manning's motives are no defence, judge rules [View all]BainsBane
(53,031 posts)The Pentagon Papers were a conscientious act against a specific policy, a war about which the American public were being lied to.
Manning dumped documents, irrespective of subject matter. The notion that Assange advances is that the US has no right to any governmental secrets, regardless of policy matter or need to protect methods, sources, and even human lives. Do you agree?
Ellsberg's position was principled and his goals targeted. I don't know what Manning's motives were, but the act only served to compromise the security of the United States. The result was not to expose a particular policy failing but to hurt the government and country as a whole. He did not simply release the information to Iran, China, or North Korea. He released it to the entire world. including all those who wish to do harm to this nation.
One does not need to be right wing to believe that every act by the government should be exposed for all to see. Should we release President Obama's comings and goings to make it easier to assassinate him? If you don't think so, why should the lives of US diplomatic officials, CIA agents, and their sources be treated more callously. Do you think Scotter Libby and Dick Cheney were justified in leaking Valerie Plame's name? Wikileaks and Manning did that hundreds of times over. Manning is no more progressive than Dick Cheney.