Editorials / Opinion

Seattle Times letters to the editor

Manning’s actions are a public good

Pfc. Bradley Maning, charged in the largest leak of classified material in U.S. history., pleaded guilty, saying he intended to begin a national debate. In this June 25, 2012 file photo, he is seen being escorted out of a courthouse in Fort Meade, Md. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/PATRICK SEMANSKY)

Pfc. Bradley Manning is on trial — and facing 20 years in prison — for releasing classified information on American troop actions in Iraq ["Private saw WikiLeaks as chance to start a debate," News, March 1]. One video shows American forces killing civilians — including children — then firing on those who came to their rescue. These actions are war crimes under the Geneva Convention.

Yet Manning is the only one being punished, while the [shooters] go free. They are even referred to as “heroes” because they wear the uniform. They give our real heroes a bad name.

Manning has done us a good turn by bringing war crimes to light.

–Anne Thureson, Seattle