So Bradley Manning now identifies openly as female and wants to be called Chelsea…so what? How one self identifies is ones own journey and the rest of us should respect that, it doesn’t erase one iota of courage and bravery she exhibited in exposing the horror of what US war actually looks like.
If anything Chelsea’s courage and bravery just went up in my book. Respects.
As a military prison, Leavenworth is not going to provide any care beyond psychiatric for Chelsea. Not only will she not be able to access the hormonal treatment she needs, but her Trans status puts her at considerable risk.
She is a very brave woman indeed.
I suppose the only silver lining is that her high profile will highlight the treatment of Trans prisoners within the prison system.
Just the predictable discrediting and deflection. No mind that morons, acting on behalf of USA murder innocent people including children, reporters from helicopter gunships, that’s ok as is the theft of the countries resources. USA has never been interested in peace in the Middle East, because its not in it’s interest.
But Bradley wants to be a girl.
Discrediting- agreed; surprising the way media comment takes the statement at face value, newsreaders (at least the one on Prime news I saw yesterday) smirking as they read the segment. I shall continue wearing my “free Bradley Manning” tee until there is more than just hear-say regarding Manning’s true intentions. I believe the treatment he has been subjected to is more than any single human being can be expected to bear and the US Army (being well known for it’s mind controlling/ trans-humanist/robotics programmes) should be hanging it’s head in shame. This could all be a set-up. “free Bradley/Chelsea Manning NOW”
Incredible… Chelsea has more courage than any human being could possibly muster… Inspiring.
I like the way that Manning doesn’t see his life as being over, now that he has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, but instead sees it moving forward. That’s a pretty amazing attitude to life.
I’m disinclined to go with the “so what?” angle. So what is that she’s going to be in the wrong-gendered prison for 35 years without necessary medical treatment. It’s not really enough for us to just be like “well, we’re cool with her and use the right pronouns, trans* allyship done *cookie*”–there are material conditions that need changing here. Really disappointed that Wikileaks, Amnesty, Chomsky, Moore, Klein, Greenwald etc haven’t spoken up for her so far. I’d add Assange to that list, but I’m realistic.
Chelsea’s a damn amazing human being though.
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