Topic: Courts Martial

Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller, who gained notoriety for criticizing the Afghanistan withdrawal, has been sentenced to a letter of reprimand and a $5,000 fine. Despite initial fears of a heavy prison sentence or loss of pension, the outcome was relatively mild, leading to a lack of follow-up coverage from mainstream media outlets.

White House spokesperson Josh Ernest addresses the ongoing military justice process for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. Ernest emphasizes the President's commitment to the "no man left behind" principle while avoiding comments that could influence the court-martial. The hosts recall early reports from Bergdahl's own platoon members suggesting he was a deserter rather than a captured hero.

The $23 billion budget for Cyber Command is scrutinized, with the hosts calling for a "citizen court martial" of military leaders who use meaningless buzzwords like "network speed." General Dempsey's claim that the military will protect the ".com" and ".gov" domains is dismissed as a "snow job." The focus on Edward Snowden's passport is seen as a distraction from the massive spending and expansion of the "Cyber Force."

U.S. Army prosecutors announced they are seeking the death penalty for Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, who is accused of murdering 16 Afghan civilians in March 2012. While Bales' defense cited post-traumatic stress disorder and concussions, the military is moving forward with a capital case. The hosts question if the push for execution is a cover-up for broader systemic issues.

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.

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.

Reports indicate that Louisville, Kentucky, has developed an emergency response plan allowing the city to commandeer private property. Simultaneously, the FBI has expanded powers to conduct "assessments" without warrants, and a Second Circuit appeals court ruling suggests domestic terror suspects can be held without Miranda warnings. The discussion links these developments to the influence of Cass Sunstein and legal shifts toward increased domestic surveillance.

The trial of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan faces ongoing delays, with the defense requesting a postponement until after the November elections. Discrepancies in the official narrative are highlighted, including the lack of media coverage regarding Hasan's alleged possession of HIV/AIDS medication at the time of his arrest.

The U.S. military has reportedly implemented policies that forbid active-duty personnel from becoming pregnant, with the threat of court-martial. The hosts discuss this as a potential consequence of equal rights taken to a "misogynistic extreme" that ignores biological realities.