Ron Paul: Bradley Manning, Soldier Who Stole Secret US Docs and Handed them to WikiLeaks, is a 'Hero' and 'Patriot'

Let’s talk about what Bradley Manning is alleged to have done. He didn’t like how the Army was treating him, so he felt himself justified in breaking the law and the trust that the military had placed in him. He stole secret documents and handed them over to a third party for the purpose of publishing them and damaging his own country. Because he didn’t like how the Army was treating him.

What person likes how the Army treats them? Military life isn’t a life of individual expression and luxury, unless you’re North Korea’s newest four-star general. For everyone else, military life is pretty spartan. You dress like a tree. You get snapped at alot, and called a “warm body” rather than being seen as a person probably 75% of the time. In the past, when the draft was still going, it was perfectly reasonable to be in the Army but pretty much hate it since you probably weren’t there by your own choice. But in Manning’s case, he volunteered for the Army. He knew, or should have known, what he was getting himself into. When he didn’t like it, he turned against the Army and intentionally damaged his own country, allegedly. In a time of war.

That’s treason, is what that is.

That, to Ron Paul, constitutes being a “hero.” By the way, in case you hadn’t heard, Ron Paul is running to be the commander in chief of the military.

[S]peaking at a campaign rally, Paul said that while Manning may have “technically” broken the law against releasing classified information to WikiLeaks, he did so for the purpose of exposing the “horrible things” being carried out by the U.S. Government.

Paul may be running for president but that doesn’t entitle him to reject reality and replace it with his own version. Manning was not motivated by anything other than revenge against the military he had volunteered to serve in.

Referring to Manning’s detention before trial, Paul said, “Should he be locked up and imprisoned?” Manning should be seen as a “political hero” and “true patriot who reveals what’s going on,” Paul said.

The Bradley Manning Support Network published an article saying that Paul believes that Manning is a “whistleblower” and his actions “are essential to the country.”

And many Republicans are prepared to vote for this man? This closet Truther? What on earth can they be thinking?