Saturday Night Massacre: Obama Axes PJ Crowley for Telling the Truth about Bradley Manning - FDL

[WillyT]

Saturday Night Massacre: Obama Axes PJ Crowley for Telling the Truth about Bradley Manning
By: Phoenix Woman
Sunday March 13, 2011 9:41 am

<snip>

It says something about the desire of the Obama Administration to try to quietly and without consequence destroy anyone who makes any challenges to their shameful mistreatment of an alleged whistleblower that they waited to make their move, not just for the usual news black hole that is a typical part of the American weekend, but for a weekend when a single global event — the ongoing catastrophes in Japan — would consume what media and public attention exists:

P.J. Crowley is abruptly stepping down as State Department spokesman under pressure from the White House, according to senior officials familiar with the matter, because of controversial comments he made about the Bradley Manning case.

Crowley will step down as early as Sunday afternoon, the officials said, because White House officials are furious about his suggestion that the Obama administration is mistreating Manning, the Army private who is being held in solitary confinement in Quantico, Virginia, under suspicion that he leaked highly classified State Department cables to the website Wikileaks.

Speaking to a small group at MIT last week, Crowley was asked about allegations that Manning is being tortured and kicked up a firestorm by answering that what is being done to Manning by Defense Department officials “is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.”

Geez, a new Saturday Night Massacre! How fricking Nixonian can you get? What’s next, secretly bombing Cambodia?

<snip>

Link: http://my.firedoglake.com/phoenix/2011/03/13/saturday-night-massacre-obama-axes-pj-crowley-for-telling-the-truth-about-bradley-manning/

:kick:

[AnneD]

1. What's next......

Why a no fly zone in Libya and weapons to the insurgents of course. You don't need a crystal ball to see how these asswes operate.

[tritsofme]

2. Daryl Issa, is that you?

[ClarkUSA]

3. FDL is out of their collective PUMA Obama-hating friggin' mind, as usual.

"Mr. Crowley, whose service as the chief spokesman for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been rocky at times":
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/state-department-spokesman-out-after-comments-on-prisoner/?hp

CNN is reporting he didn't "gel" with Hillary Clinton's program.

Hillary Clinton is his direct boss. He was her chief spokesperson. He embarrassed her. He's out. Note his words in the above news story.

End of story.

[tekisui]

6. Apparently she is easily embarrassed and the Administration easy to

give the axe to those who dare to state their opinions.

[robinlynne]

62. WHEN those opinions are of the progressive kind.

[Ninga]

8. OK, Crowley didn't gel and embarassed the Sec. Crowley and Clinton and you will be warm and

safe at the end of the day. So what.

And your view of Manning's treatment vs. the actual charges against him is what?

And you are OK with this treatment?

[joeybee12]

19. Is that you Hilary?

I was wondering who else might by that obvious POS statement and attempted justification.

[EFerrari]

37. It's a little lame to criticize FDL for what so many outlets are reporting. n/t

[sabrina 1]

39. Well, if he doesn't agree with their torture policies,

I would expect there to be a rocky relationship. I would have a rocky relationship, to put it mildly, with anyone supporting and/or implementing, OR refusing to stop it if they had the power to so, any form of torture.

He didn't embarrass her. The Obama administration's policies on torture embarrassed her.

And people were telling him that on his twitter acct and elsewhere. I guess he finally decided, watching all the revelations now coming out out about THIS administrations real position on torture, and seeing what's happening to torturers in the Arab World and in Latin America, that it was time to leave before he becomes tainted with those crimes.

Wikileaks cables have probably shown him that you can't keep anything secret anymore, as it should be especially when it's violations of International law.

He's a former military man I think and possibly he respects Military Law which is not happening in the Bradley Manning situation.

Whatever his reasons, he's wise to get as far away as possible from an administration that has now joined the Bush administration in supporting those policies that we all thought would be addressed when we elected them. What a mistake it was to think that.

[DeSwiss]

52. This is NOT.......

...the END of the story.

[Agony]

57. PUMA? is that? Principals Up My Ass?

:sarcasm:

Yeah, I didn't think so...

All about the Partay.

[PufPuf23]

73. I am not PUMA; HRC was last and POTUS next to last and won my support by elimination.

I would wager that this is the basis of much of the Democratic base support.

I grew to even believe in POTUS Obama and gave $ and voted for him in the primaries and rejected childhood friends.

POTUS Obama has no integrity and is amoral in that "wins" only count; I am not a rascist and have at least as much elite education as POTUS Obama.

POTUS Obama has worked against the plurality of Americans and the trajectory of the USA into the future in favor of globalized economic and geneologic interests. There is no fair standard of law in the USA. Proscecute war and financial criminals. Follow international treaties as is domestic alaw. I am sanity not a radical.

I expect to die before the USA hits bottom.

[Beacool]

79. She could have fired him at any time in the past, if that were the case.

The WH wanted him out.

But some people will always make excuses for Obama.

:eyes:

[Ninga]

4. I'm really trying people, but just can't give the administration a pass on the heinous

treatment of an American citizen. Booting Crowley does nothing but shine light on the continued mistreatment of Manning.

Does the administration think we are stupid? Disgraceful.

[bahrbearian]

5. Meet the New Boss

[BillyJack]

31. Same as the old boss, right? eom

[ClarkUSA]

7. Instead of the usual FDL PUMA bullshit re: Obama, read Crowley's own statements on his resignation

STATEMENT BY PHILIP J. CROWLEY

The unauthorized disclosure of classified information is a serious crime under U.S. law. My recent comments regarding the conditions of the pre-trial detention of Private First Class Bradley Manning were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership. The exercise of power in today's challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values.

Given the impact of my remarks, for which I take full responsibility, I have submitted my resignation as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Spokesman for the Department of State.

I am enormously grateful to President Obama and Secretary Clinton for the high honor of once again serving the American people. I leave with great admiration and affection for my State colleagues, who promote our national interest both on the front lines and in the quiet corners of the world. It was a privilege to help communicate their many and vital contributions to our national security. And I leave with deep respect for the journalists who report on foreign policy and global developments every day, in many cases under dangerous conditions and subject to serious threats. Their efforts help make governments more responsible, accountable and transparent.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x628148

[inna]

18. disgusting. yet another new low for the administration.

[dennis4868]

38. I actuslly see this as a high...

for this administration....the guy was a liar and not a team player....

[inna]

41. to each their own - nt

[Kalun D]

51. NOTE

he doesn't retract his statement about the two faced predatory corporatist Obama administration's bush boy initiated TORTURE policies.

and he doesn't apologize

kudos to Mr Crowley, a true progressive

[ReggieVeggie]

61. reading comprehension problems?

I see you like to read past the forest for the bolded trees.

My recent comments regarding the conditions of the pre-trial detention of Private First Class Bradley Manning were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership. The exercise of power in today's challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values.

He's saying that no matter what Manning did, his treatment is horrific and damages our reputation in the world. You know, like Bush did.

[EFerrari]

9. Next Geoff Morrell will call Black Water roid ridden assassins?

Upside Down World.

[coalition_unwilling]

10. They made no secret about bombing their Cambodia, aka Pakistan. Obama

has stolen a page from the Nixon Vietnam playbook: If you can't win in Vietnam, why just expand the war to Cambodia rather than withdraw. Likewise, if you can't win in Afghanistan, why just expand the war to Pakistan rather than withdraw.

Daniel Ellsburg laid it all out a long time ago. Can't remember where but he laid out two rules for Vietnam:

1) Don't expand the war outside of Vietnam
2) Only violate rule one, if not doing so would mean defeat.

[underpants]

11. Of course he did

Crowley had to know that he was going to get axed. Good for PJ and I completely agree with him but no one is going to let a spokesman (or anyone else) go off like that.

[DirkGently]

12. The world is watching us, aghast. Again. Jesus.

[dennis4868]

13. Why does everyone assume that...

Crowley is telling the truth? Don't we needs facts to back up what he is saying?

[jaxx]

14. Because Manning is for some odd reason the hero of the moment.

Never mind he stole classified information and passed it to a foreign entity.

[DefenseLawyer]

20. It doesn't really matter what he is accused of.

The country I live in has laws which guarantee him due process and humane treatment as he is held pending trial.

[jaxx]

27. Looks like rules are being followed.

And yes it does matter what he is accused of. Jaywalking he'd be out on bail. Stealing classified information from the government, no way.

[DefenseLawyer]

32. Whose rules? John Yoo's?

Nice misdirection, sport. No one is talking about bail. And again, no, one's level of due process and treatment in custody is not contingent upon the charges for which one has been accused. Stripping a detainee naked and making him stand naked for inspection daily? questioned every 5 minutes of every day? Solitary for 23 hours a day with no exercise? Oh but the people doing it tell you it's okay, so that just makes it okay? Abu Ghraib was a frat house prank, right?

[jaxx]

47. There seems to be a different opinion.....

PFC Bradley Manning is being held in pre-trial confinement at the Marine Corps base Quantico. He is accused of, and charged with, very serious crimes. He is innocent until proven guilty, but is in pre-trial confinement for a host of reasons typical in the military justice system, including the very serious nature of the offenses he is alleged to have committed.

The circumstances of PFC Manning's pretrial confinement are regularly reviewed, and complies in all respects with U.S. law and Department of Defense regulations. The commander of the tri-service confinement facility at Quantico is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of everyone in the facility, including the pre-trial detainees themselves.

PFC Manning is housed in one-man cell at Quantico, like all others in maximum or medium security at the facility. He has rights and privileges to food, mental health counseling, medical care, recreation, television, visitors, outside mail, and regular communications with his attorney.

In recent days, as the result of concerns for PFC Manning's personal safety, his undergarments were taken from him during sleeping hours. PFC Manning at all times had a bed and a blanket to cover himself. He was not made to stand naked for morning count but, but on one day, he chose to do so. There were no female personnel present at the time. PFC Manning has since been issued a garment to sleep in at night. He is clothed in a standard jumpsuit during the day.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/03/exclusive-bradley-mannings-father-discusses-sons-incarceration-with-frontline.html

[DefenseLawyer]

56. Callin' it "typical" don't make it right, Boss.

UCMJ

Art. 13. Punishment prohibited before trial

No person, while being held for trial, may be subjected to punishment or penalty other than arrest or confinement upon the charges pending against him, nor shall the arrest or confinement imposed upon him be any more rigorous than the circumstances require to insure his presence, but he may be subjected to minor punishment during that period for infractions of discipline.

[Shiver]

74. Wait, I hadn't heard this part.

"PFC Manning has since been issued a garment to sleep in at night. He is clothed in a standard jumpsuit during the day."

I thought he was still being made to sleep naked with only a blanket...

[dennis4868]

40. and what is your rock solid...

proof that he is not being treated humanely...maybe the guy is trying to commit suicide and they need to take drastic measures with this criminal?

[pacalo]

22. And we shouldn't give any thought to the fact that journalists covering Iraq were intentionally

targeted & bombed?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/dec/10/al-jazeera-us-integrity-wikileaks

[jaxx]

28. It didn't belong to him, he gave it to a foreign entity.

[pacalo]

33. What didn't belong to him -- the idea or the nationality of the journalists?

[jaxx]

48. The tape.

There were other ways to get it out besides stealing it and passing it to a foreign entity.

[pacalo]

54. It hasn't been proven that he passed anything to a "foreign entity", which sounds

more nefarious than more appropriately describing that "entity" as an Australian (whose country was one of the U.S.'s few allies in the Iraq debacle) who runs WikiLeaks.

As for other ways this tape could have gotten out, I can't think of any entity better to hand it to than WikiLeaks.

[Autumn]

25. Innocent until proven guilty is so old school.

Who would have thought it would come to this.

[jaxx]

29. There are people being held in every state waiting for trials.

Manning is also being held by the military with serious charges.

[Autumn]

34. I'm aware of that. But you said

"he stole classified information and passed it to a foreign entity." He is being held for that yes, but until he has a trial it has not been proven. So he is accused of "stealing" classified information and "passing" it to a foreign entity. Big difference in the way you put it. Innocent until proven guilty. You have him guilty of it already.

[jaxx]

49. You are correct, but I'm not on the stand.

He is accused.

Have you read the chat transcripts?

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/06/wikileaks-chat/

[jefferson_dem]

65. The Manning apologists are making it really hard to consider this issue objectively.

I'm a civil libertarian to the core but am more than suspicious about this particular fit of anti-hero worship.

[pacalo]

66. There are two sides to that coin. There are those who were against torture during the boy king's

reign & continue to feel the same way during Obama's term. On the other side of the coin are those who think Obama cannot possibly be wrong on anything -- he's the first totally perfect human being on the planet. Even though he is continuing Bush's policies that we here at DU were so much against.

[defendandprotect]

23. And you think it's a "fact" that Manning isn't being tortured ???

[jaxx]

30. Tortured? No.

Held as a criminal who might harm himself? Yes.

[EFerrari]

36. No doctor has designated him suicidal.

And the Obama administration is now being investigated by the UN Special Rapporteur for torture. If you have any facts that might shed light on the situation, you should contact him immediately.

[jaxx]

50. Manning himself insinuated suicide and then said it was a joke.

I think that needs to be taken seriously.

If you have info you could do the same.

[EFerrari]

64. Baloney. He did no such thing.

[jaxx]

71. According to his lawyer he did.

David Coombs, the lawyer for the analyst, Pfc. Bradley E. Manning, said in a blog post that Private Manning’s clothing was taken away at night in his cell at the Marine brig in Quantico, Va., after he remarked that if he wanted to harm himself he could do so with ”the elastic waistband of his underwear or with his flip-flops.” Mr. Coombs called the treatment degrading. Marine Corps officials have cited privacy rules in not disclosing more about the order, which was issued on Wednesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/world/06manning.html


WASHINGTON (AP) — Sarcastic remarks about suicide by underwear led an Army private suspected of leaking classified U.S. documents to be stripped of all his clothing at night, his lawyer says.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/03/06/wikileaks-lawyer-suicide-joke-misinterpreted/

[EFerrari]

80. No, according to his lawyer, he did nothing like that.

According to his lawyer, he made a sarcastic remark, not an insinuation about suicide that he tried to play off as you incorrectly claimed.

But, don't let the facts get between you and your defense of human rights violations.

[dennis4868]

42. Yes.....

Until I see hard evidence to tell me otherwise....As someoen else here said, he is being held as a criminal who might harm himself.....

[defendandprotect]

55. Here's how you can get some hard evidence ...

lock yourself in your bathroom for a week - speak to no one -- call no one --

see no one. Let us know how you're doing --

Oh, and now you should also sleep naked!

[dennis4868]

58. and how do you know this is how...

Manning is being treated? Plus, if the guy is suicidal, then all of that makes sense....you and others simply want to find something you can complain about Obama....

[defendandprotect]

59. No one but YOU have suggested he is suicidal ...

except in government game playing with Manning --

So you're more offended that yet again this is another issue that makes Obama look bad

over and again?

Pitiful

:rofl:

[dennis4868]

63. UMMM...no....

PBO implied the other day at his news conference that he was suicidal....i.e., the govt was taking measures to protect Manning from himself ....

[defendandprotect]

68. True ... they tried to give that impression ... you believe them?

They've done nothing but try to make Manning suicidal -- !!

As they've done with other political prisoners --

[dennis4868]

70. I have no reason not to believe....

Obama

http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/

[defendandprotect]

72. Let's see ... did you believe Obama when he said "These days, oil rigs don't leak" ...?

Did you believe Obama when he said "The Gulf will bounce back" -- ?

Did you believe Obama when he said he was for "transparency" in government --

or that he'd fight for unions/labor and would walk on the picket lines with them?

Did you believe Obama when he said he saw no reason to impeach W Bush?

:eyes:

[dennis4868]

75. Everything you stated above....

is BS...

1. The Gulf will bounce back...no one says it won't. It may take some time.

2. There is transparency in govt under Obama....

3. The unions and dems in Wisconsin asked Obama to stay out of it.....

4. Obama never said there was NO REASON to impeach Bush....he simply decided against it at a time when we were headed into a great depression.....if he started with impeachment, NOTHING WOULD HAVE GOTTEN ACCOMPLISHED IN CONGRESS at a time when they needed to act to fight off a depression.....Obama was RIGHT about this!

[defendandprotect]

76. You're wrong about #4 -- he absolutely said it ...

the rest is the belief in the chess game so will just offer you my

condolences --

and this --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=638553&mesg_id=638553

[EFerrari]

35. Crowley gave an opinion, one that is born out by facts as reported

by Manning's attorney, his visitors, and Manning himself as well as by the Pentagon's efforts to spin their cr@p.

[defendandprotect]

60. +1000%

[Poboy]

15. Recommend

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. New slogan for the next campaign: "Rope and Chains" for whistleblowers.

[defendandprotect]

24. +1000%

[inna]

26. no kidding.

[jannyk]

17. Recommend k&r

[defendandprotect]

21. I'd prefer to be saying "Goodbye" to Obama -- It's a shame to lose someone with a conscience--!!

[Imagevision]

43. This is kinda like when Cheney & Bush fired Powell... no??

[Imagevision]

44. man I hope Dean or someone decent runs against Obama in 2012...

[inna]

45. Dean or ANY decent Democrat.

[Zorra]

77. Even just a Democrat would be refreshing. nt

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DeSwiss]

53. This is what one expects.....

...from the TOTALLY CORRUPT.


K&R

[sarcasmo]

67. Maybe President Obama wants to ask Bush who he should appoint next.

[nilram]

69. "idiculous and counterproductive and stupid."

I guess "the administration," (aka, Obama) disagrees.

[Hamlette]

78. Then why is Manning's father lying? Father says Bradley says he's well and has never complained

about his treatment.

http://www.balloon-juice.com/2011/03/13/brian-manning-talks-to-pbs-about-his-sons-detention/

I need more info before I pick a side in this one.