Today's announcement that President Obama commuted the sentence of Private Manning is an outrageous affront to all those serving or who have served honorably in the Armed Forces. Manning is a criminal, found guilty and sentenced by a court martial. The full sentence should be served.
It is outrageous this Commander-in-Chief takes such action, clearly and forever breaking faith with our men and women in uniform. By his action, Obama clearly and unequivocally shows his disdain for the members of the military, their honor, their service, their sacrifice, and the oath they took upon entering our military.
Make no mistake, this action was socially motivated. No legal or military purpose is served by commuting the sentence of a former soldier who deliberately stole classified information and provided it to unauthorized others. In other times it is conceivable Manning could have received the death sentence. Of course, in other times, other Presidents of the United States admired and revered the Armed Forces.
It is particularly galling, given that this week we laid to rest Major Griffiths, U. S. Army at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. He died while a POW during the Korean war and his remains were just recently identified. Posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and POW medals, Major Griffiths represents all the best of our Armed Forces. Obama's action today effectively denigrates and insults Major Griffith's service and sacrifice.
When neither a Private (Manning) or General (Cartwright) are held fully accountable for their illegal actions, because of the decision of the president of the United States, something is sorely amiss in our nation.
Shame on you, President Obama.
20 January 2017 Update
Though Obama's action re Manning remains an outrageous affront, at least Bergdahl will have to face the military trial for his actions.
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