20-12-2011, 08:24 AM
Today marks Day 4 of Manning's Article 32 hearing, and it could continue for several more days -- but the government's influence over the trial is already becoming apparent.[SUP]1[/SUP]
Lt. Dan Choi, who was forcibly banned from Fort Meade today while trying to attend Bradley's hearing, argues that if the allegations are true, Manning's actions "were not only in the interest of his unit, but also in the interest of the country."[SUP]2[/SUP] Choi adds, "He was the only soldier in the chain of command to do the right thing, so that's why we have to support him."
At the start of his hearing, Bradley Manning's attorney David Coombs requested Investigating Officer Paul Almanza recuse himself from the case because of his ties to the Justice Department and their ongoing investigation of Wikileaks.[SUP]3[/SUP] The US government and Almanza both believed he was not biased and refused to remove him from presiding over the hearing.
We knew that a fair trial would not come easy from the beginning. The government blocked all but 10 of the witnesses requested by the defense without explanation. The 10 witnesses approved for questioning by the defense were the same 10 witnesses requested by the prosecution as well. IO Almanza has also allowed witnesses to submit unsworn statements without appearing in court, which is not allowed under military law.[SUP]4[/SUP]
This is just the tip of the iceberg -- so much more has been covered in this hearing and I highly encourage you to visit http://dissenter.firedoglake.com to catch up on Kevin's superb coverage if you haven't already.
1. Bradley Manning Pre-Trial Hearing: Live Blog, Day 4. 12/19/2011, The Dissenter.
2. Army Lt. Dan Choi Pinned to Ground, Thrown Off Base Before Manning Trial. 12/19/2011, FDL News Desk.
3. Manning Defense Files Motion Requesting Article 32 Officer Recuse Himself. 12/16/2011, The Dissenter.
4. Investigative Officer Refuses to Compel Two Key Witnesses to Testify at Manning Hearing. 12/18/2011, The Dissenter.
Lt. Dan Choi, who was forcibly banned from Fort Meade today while trying to attend Bradley's hearing, argues that if the allegations are true, Manning's actions "were not only in the interest of his unit, but also in the interest of the country."[SUP]2[/SUP] Choi adds, "He was the only soldier in the chain of command to do the right thing, so that's why we have to support him."
At the start of his hearing, Bradley Manning's attorney David Coombs requested Investigating Officer Paul Almanza recuse himself from the case because of his ties to the Justice Department and their ongoing investigation of Wikileaks.[SUP]3[/SUP] The US government and Almanza both believed he was not biased and refused to remove him from presiding over the hearing.
We knew that a fair trial would not come easy from the beginning. The government blocked all but 10 of the witnesses requested by the defense without explanation. The 10 witnesses approved for questioning by the defense were the same 10 witnesses requested by the prosecution as well. IO Almanza has also allowed witnesses to submit unsworn statements without appearing in court, which is not allowed under military law.[SUP]4[/SUP]
This is just the tip of the iceberg -- so much more has been covered in this hearing and I highly encourage you to visit http://dissenter.firedoglake.com to catch up on Kevin's superb coverage if you haven't already.
1. Bradley Manning Pre-Trial Hearing: Live Blog, Day 4. 12/19/2011, The Dissenter.
2. Army Lt. Dan Choi Pinned to Ground, Thrown Off Base Before Manning Trial. 12/19/2011, FDL News Desk.
3. Manning Defense Files Motion Requesting Article 32 Officer Recuse Himself. 12/16/2011, The Dissenter.
4. Investigative Officer Refuses to Compel Two Key Witnesses to Testify at Manning Hearing. 12/18/2011, The Dissenter.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass