Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 223
August 23, 2013
UPDATE: Sgt. Bales, Mass Killer, Will Serve More Time Than Manning
UPDATE Well, that's relief. Bales gets life without parole, vs. 35 years for Manning. Still. Earlier: Far from the courtroom in Virginia where a judge will decide Pfc. Bradley Manning's fate today or tomorrow--the government officially asked for a 60-year sentence yesterday--another sentencing procedure has begun. It's out in the state of Washington and the Army man in trouble in this case is Staff Sgt. Robert Bales. Oh, you remember him, he pleaded guilty (to avoid the death penalty) to killing 16 innocent Afghans, mainly women and children. Prosecutors promise to play a tape of his phone chat with his wife where they laughed about the charges. Still, it's not inconceivable that his sentence will be no longer, and possibly less, than the one for Manning, if that latter does indeed get virtually life in prison. The worst case scenario for Bales still makes him eligible for parole in 20 years.
After the killing, the U.S. had to halt operations in the country for weeks, and there were many other ill effects--far more than documented in the Manning case, it seems.
Ronstadt Discloses Parkinson's
Singer Linda Ronstadt has performed little for years and now discloses that she is suffering fro Parkinson's. She had previously thought it was the result of a tick bite and shoulder injury. Now she can't sing a note, gets around on wheelchair when travels. Sad. Her bio coming next month but this is not in there. From happier times, when she was one of top stars of 1970s in any genre. Below that, a painfully young and nervous Linda in 1969 (maybe she just realized her skirt was too short) with Johnny Cash.
68 Years Ago: Many A-Bomb Survivors Afflicted With Mysterious Disease
This is an original United Press dispatch from 1945 below. Of course the strange and new disease turned out to be radiation sickness and tens of thousands more died. This was pooh-poohed or covered up by American officials and the media, along with historic film footage. See my book
Atomic Cover-up
.
***
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23 (UP)— Japanese broadcasts today said atomic bomb raids on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagaski had cost nearly half a million "casualties and sufferers" from leveled buildings within a radius up to 10 miles.
Radio Tokyo, in broadcasts recorded by United Press, said effects of the bomb were "monstrous,"
The second atomic bomb dropped August 9 on Nagasaki took a toll of "more than 10,000 persons killed, more than 20,000 wounded and more than 90,000 rendered homeless in the city," Tokyo said."
"Furthermore many persons are dying daily from burns sustained during the course of the raids," a Tokyo propaganda broadcast said.
More than 60,000 were killed in Hiroshima August 6, Tokyo said, and "the number of dead are mounting as many of those who received burns cannot survive their wounds because of the effects the atomic bomb produce on the human body.
Even those who. received minor burns," one broadcast asserted, "looked quite healthy at first, only to weaken after a few days for some unknown reason and frequently die." Since the explosion of the atomic bomb affected an area 30 kilometers in diameter and practically allhouses in this area were either blown up, knocked down or reduced by fire, it is difficult to count all the dead bodies, many of which burned under collapsed buildings.
One hundred thousand were wounded and .200,000 "rendered homeless" at Hiroshima, where the world's first atomic bomb dropped in a parachute cradle to explode .a terrific whirlpool of energy whose immediate effects were felt for 10 minutes.
***
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23 (UP)— Japanese broadcasts today said atomic bomb raids on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagaski had cost nearly half a million "casualties and sufferers" from leveled buildings within a radius up to 10 miles.Radio Tokyo, in broadcasts recorded by United Press, said effects of the bomb were "monstrous,"
The second atomic bomb dropped August 9 on Nagasaki took a toll of "more than 10,000 persons killed, more than 20,000 wounded and more than 90,000 rendered homeless in the city," Tokyo said."
"Furthermore many persons are dying daily from burns sustained during the course of the raids," a Tokyo propaganda broadcast said.
More than 60,000 were killed in Hiroshima August 6, Tokyo said, and "the number of dead are mounting as many of those who received burns cannot survive their wounds because of the effects the atomic bomb produce on the human body.
Even those who. received minor burns," one broadcast asserted, "looked quite healthy at first, only to weaken after a few days for some unknown reason and frequently die." Since the explosion of the atomic bomb affected an area 30 kilometers in diameter and practically allhouses in this area were either blown up, knocked down or reduced by fire, it is difficult to count all the dead bodies, many of which burned under collapsed buildings.
One hundred thousand were wounded and .200,000 "rendered homeless" at Hiroshima, where the world's first atomic bomb dropped in a parachute cradle to explode .a terrific whirlpool of energy whose immediate effects were felt for 10 minutes.
JFK Assassination: New Hollywood Version
Official trailer just out for Parkland, produced by Tom Hanks, with Billy Bob Thornton as Secret Service official, Zac Efron as doctor who worked on JFK in hospital, Paul Giamatti as Mr. Zapruder. Debuting as Toronto Film Fest. Okay, Tom, now make movie on my book Joy In Mudville, which you optioned years ago!
Portrait of Dylan
I've posted here previously about Bob's upcoming massive release of outtakes from his oft-mocked Self-Portrait/New Morning period (although the latter album was pretty good). Now they're letting you livestream a bunch of cuts. The "Highway 61" with The Band is pretty damn good, and also reveals that Dylan's "Nashville" croon voice (from the same period) was a kind of joke--or should have been.
August 22, 2013
New Edition of Our Book About Manning and Trial Published Tonight
Through the miracle of modern publishing, a new, updated and expanded edition of the book I wrote with Kevin Gosztola,
Truth and Consequences: The U.S. vs. Private Manning
has been published tonight, in its e-book version (the print update has to wait a bit). It now covers the case through the close of the trial, the verdict and yesterday's sentencing--and the reactions to all of it. Gosztola, of course, is one of only three or four journalists who were there for the many months of hearings and then the trial. Here's the new write-up from the Amazon book page.
***
"Greg Mitchell and Kevin Gosztola have provided, from the start, some of the most important coverage of WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning. They have shone a bright light on Manning’s courageous whistle-blowing and brutal incarceration--and now in this timely and vital book they raise many serious questions surrounding all of that, and the new legal maneuvers against him." -- DANIEL ELLSBERG
The first book of its kind, "Truth and Consequences" is now published in an updated and expanded August 2013 edition that covers Pfc. Manning's recent trial, conviction, and sentencing. It probes not just the life and worldwide impact of Manning, the U.S. Army private accused of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, but also the controversial legal proceedings against him. This dramatic and often surprising saga--the only book to follow the entire story from the first leak to the close of the trial--is written by the two reporters who have followed his case, from the beginning, more closely than virtually any other journalists.
This e-book for Kindle, iPads and other devices--also available in a June 2013 print edition--could not be more timely. Manning now faces more than thirty years in prison for charges related to leaking documents and videos to WikiLeaks.
"Truth and Consequences" is written by award-winning author Greg Mitchell, whose daily blog on WikiLeaks for The Nation magazine and numerous books have gained a wide following, and Kevin Gosztola, who writes for a popular blog at Firedoglake.com, "The Dissenter." Gosztola was one of the few reporters to attend all of the key hearings and the entire trial, starting in December 2011.
The new edition includes a compelling account of the trial, verdict and sentencing, and the strong critical reaction and protest from activists, journalists and other observers.
The book traces Manning from his childhood in Oklahoma to Baghdad, where he was arrested in May 2010 and charged with sending to WikiLeaks explosive secret reports relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and diplomatic cables exposing sensitive U.S. relations around the world--all of it long kept from the public. Then the authors probe the controversy that swirled around Manning's harsh treatment in the brig at the Marine base in Quantico, Va., and demonstrations all over the world -- even as some pundits and politicians in the U.S. called for Manning's execution.
The book then follows the Manning case right up to his trial and responses to the August 21, 2013, sentencing.
***
"Greg Mitchell and Kevin Gosztola have provided, from the start, some of the most important coverage of WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning. They have shone a bright light on Manning’s courageous whistle-blowing and brutal incarceration--and now in this timely and vital book they raise many serious questions surrounding all of that, and the new legal maneuvers against him." -- DANIEL ELLSBERG
The first book of its kind, "Truth and Consequences" is now published in an updated and expanded August 2013 edition that covers Pfc. Manning's recent trial, conviction, and sentencing. It probes not just the life and worldwide impact of Manning, the U.S. Army private accused of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, but also the controversial legal proceedings against him. This dramatic and often surprising saga--the only book to follow the entire story from the first leak to the close of the trial--is written by the two reporters who have followed his case, from the beginning, more closely than virtually any other journalists.This e-book for Kindle, iPads and other devices--also available in a June 2013 print edition--could not be more timely. Manning now faces more than thirty years in prison for charges related to leaking documents and videos to WikiLeaks.
"Truth and Consequences" is written by award-winning author Greg Mitchell, whose daily blog on WikiLeaks for The Nation magazine and numerous books have gained a wide following, and Kevin Gosztola, who writes for a popular blog at Firedoglake.com, "The Dissenter." Gosztola was one of the few reporters to attend all of the key hearings and the entire trial, starting in December 2011.
The new edition includes a compelling account of the trial, verdict and sentencing, and the strong critical reaction and protest from activists, journalists and other observers.
The book traces Manning from his childhood in Oklahoma to Baghdad, where he was arrested in May 2010 and charged with sending to WikiLeaks explosive secret reports relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and diplomatic cables exposing sensitive U.S. relations around the world--all of it long kept from the public. Then the authors probe the controversy that swirled around Manning's harsh treatment in the brig at the Marine base in Quantico, Va., and demonstrations all over the world -- even as some pundits and politicians in the U.S. called for Manning's execution.
The book then follows the Manning case right up to his trial and responses to the August 21, 2013, sentencing.
'NYT' Thrown for Loop by Manning Change?
As swell public editor Margaret Sullivan explains, NYT editors thrown into a bit of tizzy this morning by the Bradley-to-Chelsea name change. She goes to the copy desk and style manual and quotes folks, who seem to suggest the name change will "evolve"--still use Bradley but maybe often mention the switch. Sullivan seems to back making switch and citing Bradley also for awhile.
The Motor City Is Burning
The great John Lee Hooker, 1967, based on a true story... "The Big D." Sorry young 'uns, they don't make 'em like this anymore.
Cumberbatch Protests
The Sherlock star is appearing soon in yet another controversial WikiLeaks movie--playing Julian Assange. But he's also been speaking out on political issues, releasing statements on human rights, and holding up signs on the set of Sherlock. At left he critiques the UK for detaining Glenn Greenwald's spouse.
Two Papers Hit Manning Sentence
The two newspapers that carried more of the material he leaked than any others both now call the sentence Bradley Manning received (thirty-five years) way out of bounds.
NYT editorial calls Manning sentence "excessive.... by any standard." And adds: "But the larger issue, which is not resolved by Private Manning’s sentencing, is the federal government’s addiction to secrecy and what it will do when faced with future leaks, an inevitability when 92 million documents are classified in a year and more than 4 million Americans have security clearance."
Editorial at The Guardian:
NYT editorial calls Manning sentence "excessive.... by any standard." And adds: "But the larger issue, which is not resolved by Private Manning’s sentencing, is the federal government’s addiction to secrecy and what it will do when faced with future leaks, an inevitability when 92 million documents are classified in a year and more than 4 million Americans have security clearance."
Editorial at The Guardian:
Mr Manning, according to this logic, did more harm than the soldier who gave a Jordanian intelligence agent information on the build-up to the first Iraq war, or the marine who gave the KGB the identities of CIA agents and floor plans of the embassies in Moscow and Vienna. Mr Manning did three times as much harm in transmitting to WikiLeaks in 2010 the war logs or field reports from Iraq and Afghanistan, as Charles Graner did. He was the army reserve corporal who became ringleader of the Abu Ghraib abuse ring and was set free after serving six and a half years of his 10-year sentence.
