Chelsea Manning is one of my heroes; it's wonderful that she's finally free. Along with Snowden and Assange, Manning represents the greatest hope for contemporary Western culture. It's time for narrow nationalism (my country right or wrong) to be cast aside, and for people to become cognizant of the greater good. A crime is a crime is a crime, even when it's committed by America. My hope is that there will be millions of Westerners who are inspired by Manning / Snowden/ Assange, and follow in their selfless actions.
At this time of happiness, though, we need to reflect on the terrible price Chelsea paid for following a basic moral compass. She was subjugated to seven years' psychological torture at the hands of her captors; she was vilified in the press.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/12/bradley-manning-cruel-inhuman-treatment-un
Chelsea will likely face deep emotional scars from this ordeal for the rest of her life. But no amount of torture and public ridicule can erase the fact: she did a great service to humanity. Chelsea Manning, the whole world thanks you.
Glenn Greenwald of the Intercept did a good piece on Chelsea's impact. I encourage everyone here to read it, and to feel inspired:
https://theintercept.com/2017/05/17/chelsea-manning-is-a-free-woman-her-heroism-has-expanded-beyond-her-initial-whistle-blowing/
|
