On the Bradley Manning Verdict; or When Truth Telling is Treason

Dear Friends,

The verdict is in on Bradley Manning, and of course it is just what we should have expected in the Orwellian state in which we live. A military court today found Manning guilty of multiple charges under the Espionage Act for giving classified information to Wikileads, but not guilty of aiding the enemy. Just another kangaroo court; so much for upholding the Constitution.  You can get the details and perspective at the Center for Constitutional Rights

Below is the portrait of Bradley Manning done by Robert Shetterly at Americans Who Tell The Truth. This is the face of a Truth Teller, one who goes far out on a limb to expose the truth - to speak truth to power.

"If you had free reign over classified networks and you saw incredible things, awful things… things that belonged in the public domain -- what would you do? God knows what happens now. Hopefully worldwide discussion, debates, and reforms… I want people to see the truth. Because without information, you cannot make informed decisions as a public.

Let us support and defend the Bradley Mannings, the Robert Snowdens, and ALL who speak TRUTH TO POWER in every way with all our hearts and all our strength!  Let us chip away at the systemic corruption that is eating away at the very fabric of our nation.

In Peace,

Leonard

P.S. - You can sign the add by Tikkun calling on President Obama to stop prosecuting whistleblowers by clicking here.

”In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.“-- George Orwell

In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act

Friends,

Robert Shetterly has issued another in a long list of portraits of  Americans Who Tell The Truth.  This one is of whistleblower Edward Snowden.  

"The public needs to know the kinds of things a government does in its name, or the "consent of the governed" is meaningless... The consent of the governed is not consent if it is not informed. "

AWTTH mission statement: "Americans Who Tell the Truth is dedicated to the belief that a profound sense of citizenship is the only safeguard of democracy and the best defense of our social, economic, and environmental rights. Through portraits and stories of exemplary American citizens, both historical and contemporary, AWTT teaches the courage to act for the common good. The original portraits and accompanying resources promote our country’s ideals, illuminate the necessary work of the present, and inspire hope in the future."

George Orwell once said, "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."  At no time in history has truth telling been such a necessity.

The world is in desperate need of nonviolent revolutionaries.  Let us hope that Snowden's courage will be contagious, spreading like a wildfire and encouraging others to find the courage to speak truth to power.

See more of Shetterly's profiles in courage at Americans Who Tell The Truth.

Peace,

Leonard