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Thoreau the Book at Him?

By on 12.21.11 @ 4:26PM

I want to make this clear from the get-go: I’m here to play devil’s advocate. Considering the subject at hand, some of you may read that label literally.

A lazy love of God and country is not a love at all. Yes, I believe that Bradley Manning should be punished for the crimes he has committed. I am confident his digital footprint will prove that he leaked hundred of thousands of military and diplomatic cables to the international whistle blowing syndicate WikiLeaks. But… and this is an important “but”… while what he did was illegal, it was not entirely immoral. Let’s take that into consideration before we crucify Manning and those who might defend him.

With that said, I disagree with Ron Paul that this subversion makes Manning a “political hero.” The critical condition of civil disobedience demands that one suffers the consequence of actions that rattle the chains of injustice. Civil disobedience strikes a hollow blow absent the appropriate penalty. On the other hand, Martin Luther King’s style of non-violent resistance didn’t risk the lives of American soldiers who were simply performing their duty.

Moreover, I find Manning’s defense… unfortunate. Strike that. It’s appalling. His sexual orientation and so-called “gender-identity crisis” raise false flags, and associate homosexuality with treason. This is inappropriate and unfair in the extreme to the thousands of gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who honorably serve this country.

I would have a great deal more respect — and sympathy — for Manning (and perhaps for Ron Paul’s defense of the man) if he were willing to graciously suffer the consequences of his actions while maintaining that what he did, he did for a reason — unencumbered by the flimsy excuse of forlorn femininity.

Let’s face it. Whistleblowers are a necessary evil. They expose the inevitable malignity of good government gone bad. But please… exercise a little dignity and don’t do the crime, if you can’t pay the time.

I believe that we can respect our Armed Forces while simultaneously recognizing that civilian death and outright collusion with corrupt officials and warlords is bound to happen after a decade at war. And we don’t have to like it — in fact, it is absolutely appropriate to object vehemently to complicity and conspiracy upon realization that our government has closeted the facts of our wars abroad. Manning’s alleged exposition of “Collateral Murder” and the “Afghan War Diaries” fit the mold of objectionable action. We don’t like to contemplate — let alone watch — an American helicopter strafing Iraqi civilians or learn that our military’s efforts in Afghanistan are rife with disorganization, dubious partners, and lethal slip-ups.

But that doesn’t get Manning off the hook.

No, by any estimation he deserves to be punished. Consider the musings of American author, abolitionist, and leading transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau — himself a progenitor of libertarian virtue. When H.D.T. sat down to pen “Civil Disobedience” he cast his own experience as a case study for how to function within an unjust society. Thoreau was passionately opposed to the institution of slavery. As such, he refused to pay taxes and was tossed in jail. His stay was short… but it clearly articulated his assertion that a responsible citizen’s first obligation is to do what he or she believes is right and just — not simply follow well-worn path dependence, dictated by “majority rules.”

However, Pfc. Manning exceeded Thoreau’s terms of moral opposition. One is never obligated to eradicate the evils of injustice; it is merely one’s obligation to avoid participation in such ills. Pfc. Manning believed that he was part of an unjust war, waged by an unjust government. Given his distaste for the unwarranted aggression of the Mexican-American War, Thoreau would have likely agreed with the young man. Yet according to Thoreau — he had an obligation to refuse to follow orders, not breech the bright red seal of classified documentation.

There’s no two ways around it. The unauthorized disclosure of classified material is illegal. But is it immoral? His reaction was a human one — you should be repulsed by the slaughter of innocents. And here’s where I agree with Ron Paul. Manning’s action revealed the problematic reality of war. We all have that blood on our hands. Manning made that impossible to ignore.

Thoreau was on to something when he wrote “Law never made men a whit more just; and, by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made the agents of injustice… A common and natural result of an undue respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very steep marching indeed.”

For Manning, the march was too steep. He must suffer the consequences of his actions. In a sense, so must we all.

View all comments (30) |

ncatty| 12.21.11 @ 4:35PM

Are you saying Manning is no "Old Ossawatomie John Brown"?

Occam's Tool| 12.21.11 @ 4:39PM

Manning put US soldiers at risk. Paul is "Treason's Friend."

There is a name for your reasoning style, Mr. Smith---it is called pilpul. I suggest you look it up and attempt to avoid it.

Remember when...| 12.21.11 @ 4:57PM

Take OT's suggestions with a grain of salt, Reid.

He also thinks that the US should strike Iran premptively with nuclear weapons.

Clint| 12.21.11 @ 5:09PM

Israel Firsters Demonstrated Their Long Silence About Their Fellow Traveler, Israel Firster Ben Ami Kadish.

" Ben-ami Kadish is a former U.S. Army mechanical engineer. He pleaded guilty in December 2008 to being an "unregistered agent for Israel", and admitted to disclosing classified U.S. documents to Israel in the 1980s.His unauthorized disclosure of classified U.S. secrets to Israel was concurrent with the espionage activity of Jonathan Pollard.

In December 2008, Kadish pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered agent of Israel, admitting he gave classified documents to Israel in the 1980s.Prosecutors asserted that Kadish had furnished classified American secrets to Yosef Yagur, the same Israeli agent who had received secret documents from Jonathan Pollard.

In determining the sentence, Judge William H. Pauley III asserted, "Why it took the government 23 years to charge Mr. Kadish is shrouded in mystery."Pauley stated that prison would "serve no purpose" for a man of Kadish's advanced age and infirmity, opting to levy a $50,000 fine against Kadish. The prosecutor stated that the decision to accept the plea agreement was based on Kadish's cooperation and his willingness to admit wrongdoing. Prior to sentencing, Kadish faced the judge standing with the aid of a cane and stated, "I'm sorry I made a mistake ... It was a misjudgment. I thought I was helping the state of Israel without harming the United States."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 2:43AM

Yup. Eventually we will have to hit them---the only question in my mind is whether we will have to endure a first strike before we act.

As the Aushcwitz survivor said---"what I learned from Auschwitz was that when a man says he is coming to kill you, believe him."

The Iranians have called us the Great Satan, killed our troops, supported terrorist acts against American citizens, and constantly rant about how wonderful the world would be if America did not exist. Not too subtle. Further, I recall what it took to take out Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

Yes, in order to break their will to resist, nuclear weapons might be necessary. Of course, I don't like losing, or taking US casualties. If you have a suggestion that will involve fewer US casualties and a greater likelihood of success than a pre-emptive nuclear attack on the Seat of Iranian government, I'm all ears.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 2:47AM

Sorry, misspelled Auschwitz initially above.

Again, to answer Red Phillip's comment on "how they gonna do that," (attack us) might I point out that the Mexican border is porous as a sponge, the Canadian border is porous as a sponge, Air NZ (which has some of the worst airport security I've ever experienced---don't take my word for it, look it up) has regular flights to San Francisco, Honolulu, and LA.

Porous. As. A. Sponge. Thanks, ACLU.

Dai Alanye | 12.22.11 @ 2:48PM

But let's all congratualte Reid Smith for coming up with an argument that makes himself feel a lot better about the whole thing. Next week perhaps he'll present us with an apologia on Benedict Arnold.

JimH| 12.21.11 @ 4:43PM

One should not confuse love of one's country with unquestioned obedience to the government. I disagree with Paul and the Manning because they not only exposed uncomfortable facts the government would prefer remained hidden but it seems information was released which endangered our troops as well.

albert constantine jr| 12.21.11 @ 4:45PM

Manning was a volunteer who joined the Army of his nation, which he knew was at war. He was also aware of the policy of the armed forces regarding homosexuality. He chose his course, and I am not convinced that his classified document theft and dump was anything more than the temper tantrum of an undisciplined and immature unstable child. From all that I’ve seen to this point, any noble motive attributed to him is generally projection. I believe his actions were deliberately treasonous and not imbued with any desire to expose a wrong, but rather the misbehavior of a disgruntled employee. I agree that civil disobedience does require its participants to face the consequences of their acts, and in this case, if it can be shown at court martial that his acts exposed any American or allied personnel to increased hazard, the death penalty should be on the table.

Zack| 12.21.11 @ 8:01PM

Well said.

C Bowen | 12.21.11 @ 8:28PM

What about authors/writers/bloggers, including AmSpec, that used wikileaks materially illegally, by the laws of that State, to write articles?

What should their punishment be to keep the rule of law? The Amspec guys loved the documents that belittled Hillary.

albert constantine jr| 12.21.11 @ 10:11PM

My recollection is that the First Amendment regulates and limits the federal government's ability to censor or restrict the freedom of the press or speech. It does not inhibit the ability of the military to regulate the conduct of its members in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and other codes.

C Bowen | 12.22.11 @ 5:18AM

So basically you are generally unfamiliar with the position the military has taken on this case?

C Bowen | 12.21.11 @ 5:01PM

Fantastic post, Mr. Smith.

Yes, he should take his punishment--even death penalty--though the failure to execute Lynndie England et al proved the military is totally feminized, but I will mention that the year plus in solitary may have more or less destroyed what was left of the brain, and the defense, is just some pro bono agitprop.

Having lived through Waco, I have seen this before when "colorful" leftist Ramsey Clark "magically" was given the case.

I'd also mention that the two soldiers in the video that was leaked, the killing of the Reuters reporters, are generally supportive and apologetic--and it was material to a legal case.

Reid Smith| 12.21.11 @ 6:42PM

Occam's Tool, please stop trolling. It's your last warning.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 2:35AM

I'm not exactly sure how my comment was trolling. I oppose Bradley Manning's alleged actions. I am willing to wait until he is convicted to call him a traitor. However, Ron Paul is SUPPORTING those alleged actions openly. That's a completely different kettle of fish.

"real" Reid Smith| 12.21.11 @ 6:52PM

Nay, not me. OT is always welcome to read and comment. He taught me what "pilpul" means and I appreciate the education in hair-splitting.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 2:32AM

Thank you, Reid. And Merry Christmas to you.

Clint| 12.21.11 @ 8:35PM

Tool Job Is An Apologist For The Israeli IDF Attack On The U.S.S. Liberty.

He Pulls His Pill.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 2:38AM

No, I'm not. I don't believe it was a significantly higher up decision, however. Other than his success at shooting down enemy fighters, Iftach Spector has been a fairly worthless airman for israel---leading the attack on the USS Liberty, missing Osirak (the only pilot on the raid to do so), and supporting Israel's enemies against the IDF. I'm underwhelmed with him. Perhaps Jack and Clint, etc. should look this maladroit up.

Clint| 12.22.11 @ 7:09AM

You're An Israel Firster Propaganda Squad Serial Liar,Tool Job.

USS Liberty' veterans demand investigation

Jun. 3, 2007 12:00 AM
Conclusions submitted in October 2003 to the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense by the USS Liberty Veterans Association, Inc., in demanding a congressional investigation into the aborted rescue during the attack of the USS Liberty and subsequent alleged cover-up.

The group also calls for a new Naval Court of Inquiry and that June 8 be officially recognized as USS Liberty Remembrance Day.


1. That on June 8, 1967, after eight hours of aerial surveillance, Israel launched a two-hour air and naval attack against USS Liberty, the world's most sophisticated intelligence ship, inflicting 34 dead and 173 wounded American servicemen (a casualty rate of 70 percent, in a crew of 294);


2. That the Israeli air attack lasted approximately 25 minutes, during which time unmarked Israeli aircraft dropped napalm canisters on USS Liberty's bridge and fired 30mm cannons and rockets into our ship, causing 821 holes, more than 100 of which were rocket-size; survivors estimate 30 or more sorties were flown over the ship by a minimum of 12 attacking Israeli planes which were jamming all five American emergency radio channels;

3. That the torpedo boat attack involved not only the firing of torpedoes, but the machine-gunning of Liberty's firefighters and stretcher-bearers as they struggled to save their ship and crew; the Israeli torpedo boats later returned to machine-gun at close range three of the Liberty's life rafts that had been lowered into the water by survivors to rescue the most seriously wounded;

4. That there is compelling evidence that Israel's attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy an American ship and kill her entire crew; evidence of such intent is supported by statements from Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Undersecretary of State George Ball, former CIA Director Richard Helms, former NSA Directors Lt. Gen. William Odom, USA (Ret.), Adm. Bobby Ray Inman, USN (Ret.), and Marshal Carter; former NSA deputy directors Oliver Kirby and Maj. Gen. John Morrison, USAF (Ret.); and former Ambassador Dwight Porter, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon in 1967;

5. That in attacking USS Liberty, Israel committed acts of murder against American servicemen and an act of war against the United States;

6. That fearing conflict with Israel, the White House deliberately prevented the U.S. Navy from coming to the defense of USS Liberty by recalling Sixth Fleet military rescue support while the ship was under attack; evidence of the recall of rescue aircraft is supported by statements of Capt. Joe Tully, Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, and Rear Admiral Lawrence Geis, the Sixth Fleet carrier division commander, at the time of the attack; never before in American naval history has a rescue mission been cancelled when an American ship was under attack;

7. That although Liberty was saved from almost certain destruction through the heroic efforts of the ship's captain, William L. McGonagle (MOH), and his brave crew, surviving crewmembers were later threatened with "court-martial, imprisonment or worse" if they exposed the truth; and were abandoned by their own government;

8. That due to the influence of Israel's powerful supporters in the United States, the White House deliberately covered up the facts of this attack from the American people;

9. That due to continuing pressure by the pro-Israel lobby in the United States, this attack remains the only serious naval incident that has never been thoroughly investigated by Congress; to this day, no surviving crewmember has been permitted to officially and publicly testify about the attack;

10. That there has been an official cover-up without precedent in American naval history; the existence of such a cover-up is now supported by statements of Rear Adm. Merlin Staring, USN (Ret.), former Judge Advocate General of the Navy; and Capt. Ward Boston, USN, (Ret.), the chief counsel to the Navy's 1967 Court of Inquiry of Liberty attack;

11. That the truth about Israel's attack and subsequent White House cover-up continues to be officially concealed from the American people to the present day and is a national disgrace;

12. That a danger to our national security exists whenever our elected officials are willing to subordinate American interests to those of any foreign nation, and specifically are unwilling to challenge Israel's interests when they conflict with American interests; this policy, evidenced by the failure to defend USS Liberty and the subsequent official cover-up of the Israeli attack, endangers the safety of Americans and the security of the United States.

With God all things r possible| 12.21.11 @ 8:38PM

Reid Smith is writing like a sissy here.

"We don't like to contemplate -- let alone watch -- an American helicopter strafing Iraqi civilians or learn that our military's efforts in Afghanistan are rife with disorganization, dubious partners, and lethal slip-ups."

Two of these "civilians" had weapons and as combatants deserved what they got. If their side had worn uniforms as the Geneva Conventions require, and not hidden themselves among civilians as cowards, we would not be having this discussion. Beyond that, war is waste. A waste of good people, beautiful places and lifetimes of peace of mind. It is always chaos, and both sides make many mistakes. That's why they call it the fog of war. But the fog of war is still better than slavery to the wretched enemies that we defeated, or letting the attacks on us go unanswered.

"We all have blood on our hands." What a lame and ignorant comment. They attacked (both in Iraq and Afghanistan) and we stopped their aggression with overwhelming force, which produces fewer casualties in the long run, something the just war proponents never seem to consider. Iraq's Baathists and Afghanistan's Taliban are the ones with blood on their hands.

Furthermore, Manning's now-obvious moral and psychosexual disorder should have prevented him from having a security clearance in the first place. It clearly prevented him from performing his duty when the chips were down, and so the folly of granting him that clearance is now beyond debate.

I am guessing Smith never served in the military or held a security clearance, so I can grudgingly tolerate an argument from ignorance in an open forum before taking issue with it. But Smith's blaming America first and defending traitors is a sorry display, and I am sad to witness it. Smith does not recognize, and probably never will, that weakness invites aggression, also something that just-war advocates never get around to realizing. Good thing he is not handling our national security.

Clint| 12.21.11 @ 10:19PM

Watch This Short Video And Learn Some History.

http://digitaljournal.com/article/316304

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.

Tom| 12.22.11 @ 6:05AM

Not suprising at all that The American Spectator's resident dhimmi would write this piece of trash.

And, no, Dimwit Dhimmi, we do NOT "We all have that blood on our hands." I am PROUD to support our troops in their efforts to protect us in Iraq and Afghanistan. And if traitors like Dr. Nutjob, Dhimmi-scum like you, and you Mohammedan friends don't like it, then the entire bunch of you can go straight to hell.

Clint| 12.22.11 @ 7:15AM

Tommy Can Tell Us All About His Long Israel Firster Traitor Bastard Silence About Israel Spy Ben ami Kadish, Who Had The Same Handler Out Of The New York City Consulate, As Jonathan Pollard.

Con Chef (NB) | 12.22.11 @ 9:10AM

If you're so concerned about Pollard & Kadish, where's your outrage about Manning? Are you a hypocrite, or an advocate for treason when it suits your purpose?

Hook them all up to the same IV line as Ames, Hanssen & Walker & execute them.

But I expect nothing but another "Clint's Canned Screed Special" in reply to this. Such is the power of his intellect that its all he can do anymore.

Bradley Manning is as big a traitor as Pollard. And treason is punishable by death. Support/apologies FOR treason equates to sedition.

Tom| 12.22.11 @ 5:05PM

Great post.

Tom| 12.22.11 @ 5:03PM

Herr KKKlint once again demonstrates that he is ignorant, delusional, dishonest, and a total dummkopf.

I've NEVER mentioned Jonathan Pollard here. And as for Ben ami Kadish, I had to actually use Google to find out who he is. But that doesn't prevent Herr Klint from giving us another one of his mindless, irrational, and totally irrelevant Paultard rants.

For the record, ARE YOU LISTENING HERR KKLINT?....For the record, both Pollard and Ben ami Kadish should spend the rest of their miserable and worthless lives rotting in a federal pennatentary somewhere; never again to see the light of day.

If I was dealing with a person with the least bit of intellgence and personal integrity, I would demand a retraction and apology for his lying statement. But Herr KKKlint is a Paultard to whom intelligence and integrity are foreign concepts. So I am not expecting either a retraction or apology from this Paultard scumbag anytime soon.

David C| 12.22.11 @ 4:12PM

This article is twaddle.

"The critical condition of civil disobedience demands that one suffers the consequence of actions that rattle the chains of injustice."

No, it isn't, Mr. Reid. The critical condition is that one publicly stand up against injustice. The act isn't a failure if no punishment follows.

But whistleblowing isn't civil disobedience. It's whistleblowing. And whether the whistleblower makes himself public or not, the point is to make his information public. Nor is it a necessary evil. There isn't necessarily any evil involved.

As for Manning, in so far as he leaked things that only served to place our soldiers in harms way, he deserves punishment. In so far as he revealed things that the government had no business hiding, he deserves no punishment at all. The legalities of the matter being irrelevent, as your quote of Thoreau so elequently points out.

More Blog Posts by Reid Smith

http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/21/thoreau-the-book-at-him

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