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Bradley Manning: 'I'm Sorry'
Mashable ^ | August 14, 2013 | Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai

Posted on 08/14/2013 5:56:23 PM PDT by lbryce

Bradley Manning took the stand again on Wednesday and spoke for the second time in the more than three years since his arrest. This time, he said he was sorry.

"I want to start off with an apology," Manning told the military judge in a brief two-minute statement. "I’m sorry that my actions hurt people. I’m sorry that they hurt the United States [...] I understood what I was doing, and decisions I made. However, I did not fully appreciate the broader effects of my actions."

See also: Bradley Manning: the Movie?

Manning delivered his statement during the last day of the sentencing phase of his court martial, where he potentially faces 90 years in prison after he was found guilty of espionage.

According to multiple news reports, Manning leaked thousands of secret documents to WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, but while he claimed to regret those decisions, he said he made them in good faith.

"When I made these decisions I believed they would help people, not hurt people,"

"When I made these decisions I believed they would help people, not hurt people," he said, according to a transcript from the court published by The Guardian.

His words may come as a surprise, given the fact that in his previous only public appearance — until today — he seemed rather unapologetic.

During the pretrial hearings, he stepped up as WikiLeaks' source and said he believed the leaked documents were "some of most important documents of our time."

This time, however, he showed regret.

"I look back at my decisions and wonder, 'How on earth could I, a junior analyst, possibly believe I could change the world for the better over the decisions of those with the proper authority?' In retrospect I should have worked more aggressively inside the system," Manning said. "I had options, and I should have used these options."

Finally, Manning added that he hoped to get out of prison and earn a college degree, spend time with his family and contribute to society. He pleaded for a short sentence.

"I hope you can give me the opportunity to prove — not through words, but through conduct — that I am a good person," he said, "and that I can return to a productive place in society."

Since Manning's statement was not sworn, the prosecution could not cross-examine him. Manning's lawyer David E. Coombs is currently addressing the judge before resting the defense's case. We will update this story as it develops.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bradleymanning; coombs; davidcoombs
At first, I thought he was Sorry for being gay. Sorry about being caught. Sorry he's not dead.

I think I speak for a majority of Americans when I say, Bradley Manning, Apology Not Accepted.

1 posted on 08/14/2013 5:56:23 PM PDT by lbryce
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To: lbryce
"This time, he said he was sorry."

He certainly seems sorry to me.

2 posted on 08/14/2013 6:00:31 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: lbryce

You bet he’s sorry...that he was convicted and is now possibly looking at spending the balance of his life in Leavenworth...which he deserves.


3 posted on 08/14/2013 6:02:45 PM PDT by jazusamo ("I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white." T. Sowell)
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To: lbryce

sorry....no shorter sentence for you....you infiltrated on a gay issue...just another perv


4 posted on 08/14/2013 6:04:39 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: lbryce
If he is sorry, then he should be willing to take the full sentence...

He aided the enemy in time of war. Hang him.

5 posted on 08/14/2013 6:12:41 PM PDT by Volunteer (Though I know that the hypnotized never lie, do ya? - The Who)
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To: lbryce

Too little too late. Hang him high.....traitor.


6 posted on 08/14/2013 6:15:42 PM PDT by Forty-Niner (The barely bare, berry bear formally known as Ursus Arctos Horribili)
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To: Volunteer

they always say “sorry” in the end, but he wasn’t sorry when this scumbag was leaking secrets left and right. Shoot the bastard.


7 posted on 08/14/2013 6:17:31 PM PDT by max americana (fired liberals in our company after the election, & laughed while they cried (true story))
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To: lbryce

I find it interesting Manning’s lawyer is blaming “gender disorder” when that is now a celebrated trait in today’s military.


8 posted on 08/14/2013 7:08:00 PM PDT by ScottinVA (If you don't care about Antonio Santiago, sure as hell don't whine about Trayvon Martin.)
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To: lbryce

OK Bradley.

Now atone for 50 years or more.


9 posted on 08/14/2013 7:09:04 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: lbryce

Nah.. If you spoke for the majority of Americans, your response would be, “B-r-r-r-r-p-p-p!! ... Huh???”


10 posted on 08/14/2013 7:10:38 PM PDT by ScottinVA (If you don't care about Antonio Santiago, sure as hell don't whine about Trayvon Martin.)
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To: lbryce

Max prison, and throw the little faggot down with the sodomites.


11 posted on 08/14/2013 7:11:45 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard
"Max prison, and throw the little faggot down with the sodomites"

He will be oh-so popular! Should be happy there, since he/she/it thinks its a woman trapped in a man's body.
In no time at all, it will 'whistle when it walks'....and constantly drop the soap in the shower...
Fags....
12 posted on 08/14/2013 8:06:42 PM PDT by 45semi (A police state is always preceded by a nanny state...)
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To: lbryce

IIRC, Paula Deen apologized, too.


13 posted on 08/15/2013 6:28:30 AM PDT by Arm_Bears (Refuse; Resist; Rebel; Revolt!)
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