Topic: Bradley Manning

Chelsea Manning, formerly Bradley Manning, gave an interview to ABC News discussing the motivation for leaking classified documents regarding civilian casualties in Iraq. The hosts comment on Manning's physical transition and voice, comparing her to other public transgender figures like Caitlyn Jenner.

Whistleblower attorney Jessalyn Radack reports being detained and questioned at Heathrow Airport while traveling to meet Julian Assange. The hosts play a clip of her interview on RT America and mock her account, suggesting she provoked the questioning by mentioning Edward Snowden. They argue that Radack and other figures like Glenn Greenwald are increasingly making themselves the center of the news stories they report.

During a speech in Birmingham, President Obama was interrupted by hecklers protesting the 35-year sentence of Bradley Manning. The President struggled with crowd control and later made a verbal gaffe, referring to "eating your corn seed" instead of the traditional "seed corn" metaphor. The hosts use the incident to highlight the President's reliance on scripted remarks.

Savannah Guthrie interviewed Bradley Manning's lawyer on the Today Show following the announcement of Manning's transition to Chelsea Manning. The transition announcement, including a request for hormone therapy and feminine pronouns, is characterized as a potential media distraction from the underlying court case. A theory is proposed that the name choice was an orchestrated attempt to subvert the political career of Chelsea Clinton and damage Hillary Clinton's reputation, given that the leaked State Department cables primarily targeted her office.

Jay Leno and President Obama compared Edward Snowden to Daniel Ellsberg, with the hosts arguing that the media narrative unfairly labels Snowden as a coward for fleeing the country. Obama's claims of signing whistleblower protections are contrasted with the aggressive prosecution of figures like Bradley Manning and the FBI's treatment of former NSA official William Binney.

Bradley Manning was found guilty of "wanton publication," a charge never before used in a military court-martial. This charge is viewed as a "chill" against anyone in the national security arena who wishes to publish data on the internet. It is also noted that the judge in the Manning case received a promotion during the trial, a move compared to the government's tactics during the Pentagon Papers case.

The Bradley Manning trial is exploring a legal theory that publishing information on the internet constitutes "aiding the enemy" because terrorists use the internet. This definition could potentially classify any whistleblower or journalist as a traitor. The hosts argue that Manning should only be charged with violating his terms of employment rather than capital offenses like treason.

The hosts examine the background of Sarah Harrison, an intern who rose to Julian Assange's inner circle at WikiLeaks. They discuss her role in vetting the Bradley Manning documents and her personal relationship with Assange, questioning her autonomy as she acts as a handler for Edward Snowden in Russia.

Journalist Alexa O'Brien is highlighted as one of the few people consistently documenting the Bradley Manning hearings. The military court has introduced a new charge of "wantonly publishing," which O'Brien argues is a direct attack on the free press and investigative journalism.

First Amendment lawyer James Goodell argues that President Obama's targeting of the press is approaching the severity of the Nixon era. Goodell suggests that if the administration prosecutes Julian Assange, Obama will surpass Nixon as the worst president for press freedom. The legal strategy of using conspiracy charges instead of the Espionage Act is highlighted as a way to bypass the difficulties of proving espionage.

John C. Dvorak delivers his weekly New York Times weight report, noting the paper is four ounces lighter than the previous week. The hosts discuss the Bradley Manning case, focusing on the denial of FOIA requests for the "Collateral Murder" footage. They conclude by questioning the lack of outrage from the LGBTQ community regarding Manning's treatment before signing off.

Bradley Manning is reportedly considering a plea bargain in his court-martial case. Meanwhile, former CIA agent John Kiriakou was sentenced to prison under the Espionage Act after publicly discussing the agency's use of waterboarding.

Protesters from Occupy Oakland target President Obama's campaign office to demand the release of Bradley Manning. The segment transitions into a critique of Russia Today (RT), with the hosts suggesting the network is using "No Agenda" talking points. They characterize RT as a grade-B propaganda outlet for the Russian government.

The recent release of 5.5 million Stratfor emails by WikiLeaks is characterized as a move to bolster the organization's waning credibility. Speculation suggests Israeli intelligence may be behind the leaks, noting historical instances where Israel accessed U.S. satellite data. Julian Assange's current living situation in a UK mansion is contrasted with the legal troubles of Bradley Manning.

A critical look at the late Richard Holbrooke's role in East Timor and Korea contrasts with mainstream media tributes. The segment also covers the Berkeley City Council's debate over Bradley Manning and the destruction of 90,000 seized weapons in Mexico.

The President has updated the Manual for Courts-Martial, specifically expanding Article 134 to include detailed statutes on the possession, receipt, and production of child pornography. The hosts express concern that these strict new rules, which carry mandatory sentences, could be used to set up individuals by planting digital evidence. They speculate that these changes might be relevant to the ongoing legal proceedings involving Bradley Manning.

The segment examines the Article 32 hearing for Bradley Manning, noting the media's focus on his gender identity and the use of an alter ego named "Brianna Manning." The hosts criticize the trial's proceedings, including witnesses testifying by phone from overseas and the lack of current photography of Manning. They suggest the government is attempting to link the Wikileaks case to broader issues of digital contraband and foreign influence.

President Obama issued an executive order amending the Manual for Courts-Martial, but the specific annexes detailing the changes remain unavailable to the public. The hosts speculate these "secret laws" are being implemented to influence the upcoming court-martial of Bradley Manning in the WikiLeaks case.

State Department spokesperson Mark Toner faced intense questioning from reporter Matt Lee regarding the lack of independent access for a UN Special Rapporteur to visit Bradley Manning. Manning is being held in military detention for allegedly leaking documents to WikiLeaks. Toner insisted the government is being "forthright" while simultaneously refusing to discuss the details of Manning's treatment or the reasons for denying a private UN visit.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley was forced to resign after criticizing the "brutal" treatment of WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning in military prison. The hosts examine the government's reaction to internal criticism and the lack of public outrage over Manning's conditions.