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Congressman Dennis Kucinich Requests Visit with Bradley Manning

Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has made a request to see Bradley Manning, the soldier who is suspected of leaking classified documents to Julian Assange and Wikileaks. In a letter that he recently sent to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Kucinich voiced his concerns about the army’s treatment of Manning and the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners. Kucinich requested a visit with the soldier at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

Here is Rep. Kucinich’s letter:

February 4, 2011

The Honorable Robert C. Gates
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-0001

Dear Secretary Gates:

I write to request that I be able to visit Private First Class Bradley Manning at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.

As you know, I am concerned about reports of his treatment while in custody that describe alarming abuses of his constitutional rights and his physical health. A March 2009 article by surgeon Atul Gawande discusses the effects of solitary confinement on prison inmates and prisoners of war: “Without sustained social interaction, the human brain may become as impaired as one that has incurred a traumatic injury.” Studies highlighted that such prisoners, months after being released, revealed severe brain abnormalities mirroring those who had endured significant physical head trauma[1] .

Private Manning’s guilt or innocence is a question for adjudication and his treatment at Quantico severely undermines the presumption of innocence as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and raises questions as to whether he is truly able to stand trial. His care while in the custody of the Department of Defense is the responsibility of the U.S. Government and as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform it is my duty to conduct effective oversight.

Thank you for your attention to this request. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress

Sources
Think Progress
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

41 thoughts on “Congressman Dennis Kucinich Requests Visit with Bradley Manning”

  1. Dennis is indeed a menace . . . if you think war criminals and traitors should go free.

  2. bring him out for 2012 and 2016, he will have his back side handed to him.

  3. This fool wouldnt know truth if it bit him in the ass.

    What a Jack Wagon.

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  5. Elaine,

    I cannot argue with any of your last statement.

    I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone:

    Fire-proof handbaskets $5

    Or

    Buy two “mespo for Pope!” T-shirts and get one free fire-proof handbasket

  7. Kucinich is right–lies ARE weapons of mass destruction.

    Thanks for posting the video, Woosty.

    *****

    Buddha,

    He’s smart–but the press doesn’t like him. Some members of the press come close to sneering at him when they ask him questions. Do you remember the presidential debate when a moderator asked Kucinich a question about UFO’s? (I think he was trying to call Kucinich’s credibilty into question.) The country’s going to hell in a handbasket and we’ve got newsmen/newswomen who talk about UFO’s, Joe the plumber, politicians making comments about lipstick on pigs, etc.

  8. Dennis adds yet another reason to love his integrity. Manning is a political prsoner, whose chief offense is exposing the corruption and unconstitutional actions of elements of our government.

  11. The article comes close to the issue of prison guard unions controlling the legislative process to increase incarceration and expenses.

  14. Kucinich 2012

    or 2016

    Either way leads to the investigation, arrest and prosecution of traitors and those who would turn this country from a representative republican democracy into a fascist oligarchical dictatorship.

  15. Woosty,

    Some possible reasons:
    – He doesn’t “look” like a president.
    – He’s too short.
    – He speaks the truth.
    – He doesn’t fit the press’s image of a president.

  16. Elaine, great article. I almost wrote about this myself. Kudos to Rep. Kucinich for having the sense and the courage to brings some sanity into this situation. I would love to know President Obama’s response when he read Kucinich’s letter.

  18. Kucinich argues that his Congressional oversight responsibilities empower him to investigate and visit Manning in person. Is there a similar precedent anyone can think of?

    Kucinich on this issue and many others is to be applauded for demonstrating principle and real political courage.

  20. Go Dennis! Every once in a while we have a Congressional Representative who is actually trying to do a good job. This isn’t a stunt. Dennis has been hearing from many of his constituents who have been voicing concern over Bradley Manning’s condition and who don’t trust the military’s word.

    If Manning is getting proper treatment, Dennis will say so … if he isn’t, Dennis will say so.

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