If anything, I’d say less. Clinton has been in no uncertain terms, publicly against Manning and Snowden, and it was SoS during the leak. If anything, I could see see Trump pardoning Manning for no other reason than to spite Clinton.
From a government perspective, the treatment of Manning serves multiple purposes.
First and foremost is to set an example, if you expose your government’s secrets, you will be punished, no matter how terrible those secrets are, the very act of being exposed is humiliating, and humiliation of the world’s current wobbling super-power is not going to be tolerated… unless it’s done through ways that preserve integrity at home which brings us to point number two
Second; The government, particularly the Republican side, is not comfortable with the existence of Trans people, it completely messes with their conventional gender norms and roles. To complete her gender transition would have them outed in the press as having “Given Manning a sex change” which would be seen as weakness and depravity by the hardcore conservative crowd, particularly the religious right that they depend on. There could be protests in the streets over this, and as long as there aren’t protests going the other way, for humane treatment, the threat of these protests is too much for anyone to consider completing the process properly.
Third: American culture seems to be very invested in punishment vs justice. Jails aren’t meant to make people better, they’re meant to put them in their place, and often, that place is in a gang, because that’s a real way to survive prison. Of course, that isn’t really an option for Manning.
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I fear there is no good outcome for anyone in any of this.
I personally blame the guy who ratted her out. Best if she had remained anonymous and was not betrayed by a “fellow” hacker. Unforgivable. If you want to direct your rage at someone may I suggest Lamo.
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Most trans people can relate, I suspect. Overall, I had it comparitively easy. Largely because I am white and short, and therefore privileged. Not Caitlyn Jenner privileged, but privileged.
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