This action by Obama probably does strengthen Assange's position
FWIW, I do not think Manning can be called a whistleblower. He put a shyte-ton of classified military docs out there. A bunch. Including sources (something that puts the lives of other human beings at risk). At the very minimum, his conduct was reckless.
And why did Manning do this?
Why did he/she play a game with other people's lives?
Because he felt like it!
From Obama's perspective has always had soft spot for traitors. So, you cannot say what he did today is either new or surprising. Obama has also had a soft spot for LBGTQs, openly pandering to them for the last 8 years.
In any event, if what Manning did does not deserve a long prison sentence, then the law on this area needs to be re-written. You probably cannot find a case with greater disclosure of classified material.
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ps -- And I am willing to bet Obama would have commuted/pardoned Snowden too, if he had stayed to take it like a man (like Chelsea did).
Last edited: Jan 17, 2017