Depending on whom you talk to, Bradley Manning is a cold-blooded traitor, a troubled shemale, or a national treasure. What’s beyond disputation is this: Army Private First Class Bradley Manning, 22, perpetrated the largest leak of classified military information in American history. At the end of 2009, he delivered hundreds of thousands of files to Julian Assange’s Wikileaks, forever changing the way the world thinks about “collateral damage” and probably altering the course of America’s War on Terror. Manning was caught: He was placed in solitary confinement in July 2010 and left to rot for months. Last spring, he was found fit to face a court-martial on more than 20 charges — including “aiding the enemy,” a capital offense. He’s admitted leaking the documents; now, his defense team is reportedly prepared to argue that the leaked information was embarrassing but not damaging and that much of it should never have been classified in the first place. Learn more about this intriguing and divisive figure tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale (3970 NW 21st Ave., Oakland Park). The discussion is free, led by Ken Rowland, a peace activist, retired history teacher, and ex-Army medic. Write [email protected] for more info.
Sun., March 18, 2012