UNCLE SAM: STOP TORTURING BRADLEY MANNING

Uncle Sam must stop torturing Pvt. Bradley Manning, accused, but not convicted, or even tried, for downloading hundreds of thousands of secret government documents to Wilileaks. Before accusing me of hyperbole for accusing the US military of torturing Pvt. Manning, ask yourself how you would categorize similar treatment by authorities simply for being arrested for an alleged crime.

For the past seven months, Pvt. Manning has had endure the following:

23 hours a day in his cell with no ability to exercise enforced by survaillance
No sheets or pillow even though Manning has been a model detainee with no risk of suicide or violence
No news from the outside world
Administered regular doses of anti depressants to prevent a mental breakdown

Many western and non western nations prohibit prolonged and extreme isolation as torture except in cases of uncontrollable violent tendencies.

Senator John McCain, who experienced prolonged solitary confinement by the North Vietnamese, said it is an awful thing which crushes your spirit. Over a hundred other naval aviators similarly imprisoned by North Vietnam, termed it as torturous and agonizing as the physical abuse they suffered.

Reasons imagined for Manning's despicable treatment by the Shinning City on the Hill include: squeezing him to implicate Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as a co-conspirator, letting other would-be leakers see what is in store for them if they emulate Manning, and even simple, sadistic punishment before the scales of justice have been properly weighed.

Regardless of the reason, it must cease; and every decent, freedom loving American should form an massive chorus of protest to ensure it does.