Manning and Our “two-level” Justice System (2017)

 

This morning, I rose to the news that President Obama has commuted the whistle-blower sentence, Chelsea Manning. Of course, I was elated yet surprised by the announcement. This got me thinking.

Since President Gerald Ford pardoned his boss for then resigned President Nixon on his Watergate crimes, following George H.W. Bush's pardon of all those involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, including the Secretary of State Casper Weinberger, who lied several times to Congress over the arms deal with Iran, to Bush 2 pardoning those involved in illegal wiretapping of American citizens, including then Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter.” Libby, guilty of four or five felonies for which he had been indicted, reveals that those in power take care of their own.

Contrary to the Constitution, where all people, whether rich or poor, are equal under the law, there is a blatant inequality in the justice system. There is immunity and liberty for those in power, while the common man is thrown in jail on minor crimes.

This is why I was surprised at the Chelsea Manning “Pardon.” I re-read “No Place to Hide” by Glenn Greenwald, about NSA analyst, Edward Snowden, whistle-blowing about the massive surveillance by the NSA. This massive surveillance program is criminal on many levels, but you will not see one person come to justice. The only one getting punished is the messenger, Edward Snowden.

The mainstream press vilified Wikileaks for publishing the emails of HRC and her reptilian campaign manager, John Podesta, exposing several serious crimes, though no-one, no-one makes mention of their documented criminal activities.

There is two types of justice in the United States (and in other western countries, too): those for the rich elites and those for the common person. The powerful can commit crimes with no fear of retribution, while the middle class and poor are imprisoned for a simple misdemeanor.

Our governments need a reality check: You're NOT Public Rulers, but Public Servants. According to the Constitution, the Rule of Law applies to all, equal for rich and poor.

This tyrannical behavior must stop, for the sake of us all.